The short answer: NAPLAN is held around March each year, for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. In primary school that’s Years 3 and 5. But there’s a useful detail behind that — it isn’t a single day.
A window, not one day
NAPLAN runs across a testing window of roughly two weeks, with the different domains — Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy — sat on different days. Your child’s exact schedule depends on their school, which slots the sessions into the window. Schools let families know the specific days closer to the time, so you don’t need to track it down yourself early on.
Confirm the exact dates
Because the precise dates change every year and are set by ACARA and the NSW Department of Education, we won’t quote a fixed date here. Always check the official ACARA or Department of Education site for the current year’s window. If you’re planning around it — appointments, travel — get the dates from your school directly.
Catch-up sessions
If a child is away or unwell during their scheduled session, schools generally run catch-up opportunities within the window. There’s no need to panic about a single missed day; speak to the school about the arrangements.
Keep it low-key
It’s worth remembering why the timing matters less than parents sometimes think: NAPLAN is a snapshot, not a pass/fail exam (what is NAPLAN), and not an entry test for selective or OC. So while it’s sensible to know roughly when it falls, there’s no need to build the calendar around it or ramp up pressure as it approaches. A familiar online format and steady everyday learning are all the preparation most children need — see how to prepare for NAPLAN.