The 2026 NAPLAN results released today show improvement in numeracy but there is more work to do.
The reading results show why the reforms we are now rolling out are so important.
Overall results were broadly stable but around one in ten students still need additional support.
Numeracy
Average numeracy scores improved again in Years 5, 7 and 9.
Since NAPLAN was moved from May to March in 2023, average numeracy scores have increased by:
• 6.1 points in Year 5.
• 9.5 points in Year 7.
• 6.2 points in Year 9.
This is good news but there was a dip in Year 3. This is why our Year 1 numeracy check to catch kids who are falling behind in maths is so important, as well as the changes we are making to the maths curriculum for the first three years of school.
All public schools in NSW and SA are rolling out numeracy checks this year, while most other jurisdictions are piloting the reform.
Literacy
The reading results show why the reforms we are now rolling out are so important.
The reading wars are over. We know what works.
The data shows in schools that have implemented phonics and small group tutoring for a while, their results are going up.
For example, Highvale Primary School in Victoria has seen a 25.1 percentage point increase in the proportion of students Exceeding at reading in Year 3 and an 11.3 percentage point increase in Year 5 since 2023.
At Burwood Heights Primary School, also in Victoria, we've seen a 6.8 percentage point increase in the proportion of students Exceeding at reading in Year 3 and 10.7 in Year 5 since 2023.
At Croydon Park Public School in NSW, the proportion of Year 3 students Exceeding in reading has increased by 11.2 percentage points since 2023.
These are outstanding results that show what's possible.
Spreading these gains nation wide is what the agreements we have signed with every state and territory are about.
We are making the biggest new investment in public schools by the Australian Government ever, an additional $20 billion over the next decade that puts every public school in the country on a path to full and fair funding.
The additional funding is tied to real, practical reforms to identify children who need additional support and help students who fall behind to catch up and keep up.
This includes:
• The Year 1 phonics and numeracy checks.
• Evidence-based teaching practices.
• More individualised support, including small-group tutoring.
The proposed Teaching and Learning Commission that Education Ministers have agreed in principle to set up would help continue driving these reforms and support teachers with what works in the classroom.
First Nations Students' Numeracy and Spelling
This year's results continue an encouraging trend of improved numeracy results among First Nations students.
Since 2023, average numeracy scores for First Nations students have increased by 9.6 points in Year 5 and 9.4 points in Year 7.
Year 7 First Nations students in very remote communities recorded an improvement of 17 points.
Spelling outcomes for First Nations students also continue to improve, reaching their highest levels since 2023.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
"There is good news here in numeracy. It's going up and up in Years 5 and in high school.
"Year 3 maths is a different story. That's why we are fixing the maths curriculum for the first three years of school.
"The reading results show we still have real challenges. They also show us how to fix them.
"The reading wars are over.
"This year's results show that in schools using explicit teaching methods, including phonics, and small-group tutoring to give kids who are struggling extra intensive help, results are going up and up.
"For example, at Highvale Primary School in Victoria, the proportion of Year 3 students Exceeding in reading is up 25 percentage points since 2023.
"That's big. That's how we change a system that's treading water into one that's swimming.
"We have fixed the funding of our schools. But not just that. We have also tied the extra $20 billion we are putting into public schools over the next ten years to reforms like this."
