Year 7 NAPLAN comes just weeks into secondary school, which makes it a valuable snapshot of the skills students carry with them from primary school into high school. This analysis covers the 2026 Year 7 NAPLAN results released by ACARA. It compares every state and territory across all five domains, tracks results since 2023, looks back as far as 2008 and measures how much students have grown since Year 5.
Key Takeaways
- Year 7 numeracy is at its highest level since 2023. The national average rose to 547.9 and 69.9% of students reached Strong or Exceeding, both significant improvements (ACARA, 2026).
- Reading and grammar and punctuation declined significantly from 2025. In grammar and punctuation, the share of students needing additional support has risen from 10.6% in 2023 to 15.4%.
- NSW and Victoria share the highest numeracy score (558.2), with Victoria up 14.2 points since 2023.
- The gender gap in writing is wide: 69.6% of girls are at Strong or above compared with 55.6% of boys.
- Over the long term, Year 7 results have barely changed. Reading improved just 6 points between 2008 and 2022, far less than in Years 3 and 5.
- Tasmania's 2026 results were not reported because participation in government schools was too low.
What Is NAPLAN?
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a national assessment held each year in March for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It tests foundational skills in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
NAPLAN isn't a test of content knowledge. It measures how well students apply literacy and numeracy skills developed over time through the school curriculum. Governments, schools and teachers use the results to track progress nationally and identify where support is needed.
Why Is NAPLAN Done in Year 7?
Year 7 is the first year of secondary school in every state and territory. Because students sit NAPLAN in March, only a few weeks into high school, the results largely reflect the skills they developed in primary school. Year 7 NAPLAN results show:
- How ready students are for the literacy and numeracy demands of secondary subjects.
- How much students have grown since Year 5.
- Where secondary schools need to focus support in the first years of high school.
For parents, Year 7 NAPLAN is an early signal of whether their child has the foundations to keep up as subjects become more demanding.
What Are the Proficiency Levels?
Since 2023, NAPLAN results have been reported using four proficiency levels:
- Exceeding: The student's result exceeds expectations at the time of testing.
- Strong: The student's result meets challenging but reasonable expectations.
- Developing: The student is working towards expectations.
- Needs additional support: The student is not achieving the expected learning outcomes and is likely to need additional support.
Students at Strong or Exceeding are considered to be meeting expectations. There's no official target, but many schools aim to have at least two-thirds (66%) of their students at Strong or above.
What Domains Are Assessed?
- Reading: Understanding, interpreting and analysing a range of written texts.
- Writing: Writing a narrative or persuasive piece, assessed on structure, ideas, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation.
- Spelling: Applying spelling patterns and rules correctly.
- Grammar and punctuation: Using sentence structure, verb agreement, capitalisation and punctuation correctly.
- Numeracy: Solving problems across number, algebra, measurement, geometry and statistics.
Important Notes About the 2026 Results
- Tasmania wasn't reported. Industrial action led to low participation in Tasmanian government schools, well below ACARA's reporting standard. Education ministers agreed not to publish Tasmanian state-level results for 2026, so Tasmania appears in the trend charts only up to 2025.
- Writing results come with a caveat. A technical issue with the national NAPLAN platform disrupted the writing test on the first morning of testing, mainly for schools on the east coast and only for Years 5, 7 and 9. National writing scores remained similar to last year, but ACARA has flagged the 2026 Year 7 writing results with a caveat.
- Not every change is meaningful. ACARA tests whether each change is statistically significant. Smaller jurisdictions like the ACT and the Northern Territory can swing several points from year to year without it being a real change, so we highlight which movements ACARA classifies as significant.
A Longer View: Year 7 NAPLAN Since 2008
NAPLAN has been running since 2008, but in 2023 the test moved from May to March and results began being reported on a new scale with the four proficiency levels. Because of this, scores from 2008 to 2022 can't be compared directly with scores from 2023 onwards. We show the two periods separately, but together they reveal how Year 7 skills have changed over almost two decades.
Source: ACARA NAPLAN results 2008–2022 (pre-2023 scale; not comparable with 2023 onwards). No NAPLAN in 2020.
| Domain | First year | 2022 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spelling | 538.7 (2008) | 547.2 | +8.5 |
| Reading | 536.5 (2008) | 542.6 | +6.1 |
| Grammar and Punctuation | 529.0 (2008) | 533.2 | +4.2 |
| Numeracy | 545.0 (2008) | 546.3 | +1.3 |
| Writing | 529.1 (2011) | 529.8 | +0.7 |
Unlike Years 3 and 5, Year 7 results barely moved between 2008 and 2022. Year 3 reading rose by 37 points and Year 5 reading by 25 points over the same period, but Year 7 reading improved by just 6. The gains made in the early primary years largely didn't carry through to the start of secondary school. Writing fell sharply in the mid-2010s, reaching its lowest point in 2018, before recovering by 2022.
National Overview
At the national level, Year 7 numeracy improved in 2026, while reading and grammar and punctuation declined.
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results.
| Domain | Average score 2026 | Change from 2025 | % Strong or above | % Needs support or exempt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numeracy | 547.9 | +3.0 | 69.9% (significant rise) | 10.7% |
| Spelling | 541.6 | 0.0 | 72.5% | 9.4% |
| Writing | 535.2 | −3.1 | 62.4% | 14.2% |
| Grammar and Punctuation | 535.2 | −3.7 (significant) | 60.1% (significant fall) | 17.1% |
| Reading | 535.1 | −3.3 (significant) | 66.8% (significant fall) | 12.4% |
Numeracy is the clear bright spot, with Year 7 results improving every year since 2023. Literacy is more of a concern. Reading and grammar and punctuation fell significantly in 2026, and the share of students needing additional support has risen in reading, writing, and grammar and punctuation.
What Were the Results in 2026?
Reading
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results. Tasmania 2026 not reported due to low participation.
The national Year 7 reading average fell from 538.4 to 535.1, a statistically significant decline, and every jurisdiction recorded a lower score than in 2025. The ACT (550.6) and Victoria (545.2) still recorded the highest results, followed by NSW (542.1). Queensland (522.0) and South Australia (524.8) recorded the lowest results among the states.
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results. Tasmania not reported in 2026.
The share of Year 7 students at Strong or above in reading fell significantly from 69.0% to 66.8%, just above the two-thirds mark, with significant falls in NSW (71.2% to 69.1%) and Victoria (74.0% to 71.4%). The share needing additional support rose from 8.9% to 10.7%. The ACT (74.3%) and Victoria (71.4%) had the highest shares at Strong or above, while one in three Northern Territory students (33.4%) need additional support.
The long-term view. Between 2008 and 2022, Year 7 reading rose by only 6 points nationally on the previous scale. Western Australia (+13.5) and the Northern Territory (+13.8) improved the most, while the ACT finished lower than it started (−5.8). Many states recorded their best Year 7 reading results around 2010.
Source: ACARA NAPLAN results 2008–2022 (pre-2023 scale; not comparable with 2023 onwards). No NAPLAN in 2020.
Writing
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results. Tasmania 2026 not reported due to low participation.
Year 7 writing fell from 538.3 to 535.2 nationally, although the change isn't statistically significant and the results carry ACARA's caveat about the testing disruption. Victoria (552.7) led clearly. Queensland recorded the largest fall (−8.5 points, to 513.2), followed by South Australia (−5.3).
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results. Tasmania not reported in 2026.
Only 62.4% of Year 7 students were at Strong or above in writing, and 12.5% need additional support, up from 11.0% in 2025. Victoria (69.9%) was the only state above two-thirds. In Queensland, just over half of students (52.2%) met expectations and almost one in five (19.3%) need additional support.
The long-term view. Year 7 writing has been the most volatile domain. On the previous scale, it fell from 529.1 in 2011 to a low of 505.3 in 2018 before recovering to 529.8 in 2022. Queensland finished 2022 almost 18 points below its 2011 result.
Source: ACARA NAPLAN results 2008–2022 (pre-2023 scale; not comparable with 2023 onwards). No NAPLAN in 2020. Writing is comparable from 2011.
Spelling
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results. Tasmania 2026 not reported due to low participation.
Year 7 spelling was unchanged nationally at 541.6, and it remains the strongest Year 7 domain. NSW (551.2) and the ACT (549.0) recorded the highest scores, and Victoria's result (544.8) is significantly higher than in 2023. The Northern Territory improved to 475.1.
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results. Tasmania not reported in 2026.
Nearly three in four Year 7 students (72.5%) were at Strong or above in spelling, the highest of any domain, and almost one in four (24.1%) were at Exceeding. Every state except Queensland (67.5%) had more than 70% of students meeting expectations, and NSW had the highest share at Exceeding (28.3%).
The long-term view. Year 7 spelling rose by 8.5 points nationally between 2008 and 2022, led by Western Australia (+21.3) and the Northern Territory (+19.4). South Australia and Tasmania barely changed.
Source: ACARA NAPLAN results 2008–2022 (pre-2023 scale; not comparable with 2023 onwards). No NAPLAN in 2020.
Grammar and Punctuation
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results. Tasmania 2026 not reported due to low participation.
Grammar and punctuation recorded the largest national decline of any Year 7 domain in 2026, falling from 538.9 to 535.2, a statistically significant drop. NSW (545.0), the ACT (544.4) and Victoria (542.8) led. Queensland's average (523.1) is more than 10 points below its 2023 result, a significant decline.
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results. Tasmania not reported in 2026.
The share of Year 7 students at Strong or above in grammar and punctuation fell significantly to 60.1%, down from 62.4% in 2025 and 64.0% in 2023, with significant declines since 2023 in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. The share needing additional support has risen from 10.6% in 2023 to 15.4%. No state reached two-thirds, and in Queensland and South Australia only around 55% of students met expectations.
The long-term view. On the previous scale, Year 7 grammar and punctuation peaked in 2012 in most states and rose only 4 points between 2008 and 2022. Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT all finished lower than they started.
Source: ACARA NAPLAN results 2008–2022 (pre-2023 scale; not comparable with 2023 onwards). No NAPLAN in 2020.
Numeracy
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results. Tasmania 2026 not reported due to low participation.
Numeracy is the standout result for Year 7 in 2026. The national average rose for the third year in a row to 547.9, 9.5 points higher than in 2023, a statistically significant improvement. NSW and Victoria shared the highest score (558.2), with significant improvements since 2023 in both NSW (+10.5) and Victoria (+14.2). Every jurisdiction improved on 2025.
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results. Tasmania not reported in 2026.
The share of Year 7 students at Strong or above in numeracy rose significantly to 69.9%, and the share at Exceeding increased from 12.6% in 2023 to 16.1%. The ACT (75.9%), Victoria (74.1%) and NSW (72.8%) led, while Queensland (64.4%) and South Australia (64.6%) were just below two-thirds.
The long-term view. On the previous scale, Year 7 numeracy barely moved between 2008 and 2022 (+1.3 points nationally). It peaked in 2019 in most states, and only Western Australia (+14.8) made a substantial long-term gain. That makes the steady improvement since 2023 a notable change in direction for Year 7 numeracy.
Source: ACARA NAPLAN results 2008–2022 (pre-2023 scale; not comparable with 2023 onwards). No NAPLAN in 2020.
Year 7 numeracy is improving fastest of any year level. Since 2023, Year 7 numeracy has risen by 9.5 points, more than Years 5 and 9, while Year 3 numeracy has fallen.
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results.
Beyond the Averages: Who's Doing Well and Who Needs Support?
Girls Lead in Literacy, Boys Lead in Numeracy
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results.
The gender gap is especially wide in Year 7 writing. 69.6% of girls were at Strong or above compared with 55.6% of boys, and girls' average writing score was 30 points higher (550.7 vs 520.3). Girls also led in reading (70.9% vs 62.8%), spelling and grammar and punctuation. Boys led in numeracy (72.2% vs 67.5%) and were more likely to reach Exceeding (19.6% vs 12.4%).
In 2026, boys' reading results fell back to 62.8% at Strong or above, the same level as in 2024. Both boys and girls continued to improve in numeracy.
Location Makes a Big Difference
Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results.
In major cities, 70.7% of Year 7 students were at Strong or above in reading, compared with 51.6% in outer regional areas and just 23.0% in very remote schools. Numeracy follows the same pattern, from 73.8% in major cities to 25.3% in very remote schools.
Family Background and Language
- Parental education: 85.0% of Year 7 students whose parents have a bachelor's degree were at Strong or above in numeracy, compared with 55.6% where parents finished Year 12 and 34.5% where parents finished Year 11.
- Language background: Students with a language background other than English outperformed other students in every domain, especially in spelling (79.4% vs 69.7%) and writing (69.0% vs 59.7%).
- Indigenous students: 33.7% of Indigenous Year 7 students were at Strong or above in reading, compared with 69.3% of non-Indigenous students.
How Does Year 7 Compare With Other Year Levels?
| Domain | Year 3 | Year 5 | Year 7 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spelling | 61.6% | 69.8% | 72.5% | 71.3% |
| Numeracy | 62.1% | 70.7% | 69.9% | 65.3% |
| Reading | 65.6% | 70.9% | 66.8% | 62.0% |
| Writing | 73.9% | 65.6% | 62.4% | 59.9% |
| Grammar and Punctuation | 53.9% | 63.0% | 60.1% | 54.0% |
Percentage of students at Strong or Exceeding in 2026, Australia.
Year 7 has the highest share of students meeting expectations in spelling of any year level. In reading, writing, and grammar and punctuation, however, the share meeting expectations is lower in Year 7 than in Year 5, and it keeps falling by Year 9. The step up to secondary school is when literacy expectations rise most sharply, which makes the first years of high school a critical time for reading and writing support.
How Much Did Students Grow From Year 5 to Year 7?
Students who sat Year 5 NAPLAN in 2024 sat Year 7 NAPLAN in 2026. Nationally, their average score rose by:
| Domain | Year 5 (2024) | Year 7 (2026) | National growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numeracy | 489.1 | 547.9 | +58.9 |
| Spelling | 486.5 | 541.6 | +55.2 |
| Writing | 484.8 | 535.2 | +50.4 |
| Reading | 492.1 | 535.1 | +43.0 |
| Grammar and Punctuation | 498.4 | 535.2 | +36.7 |
Growth between Year 5 and Year 7 is much smaller than between Year 3 and Year 5, when students grew by 66 to 90 points. Among the states, NSW recorded the strongest numeracy growth (+61.5), and Western Australia the strongest growth in reading (+46.9) and grammar and punctuation (+39.2). Queensland recorded the smallest growth among the states in reading (+39.3), writing (+43.0), numeracy (+54.0) and grammar and punctuation (+30.6). Victoria grew relatively slowly in reading (+40.4) but the most in writing (+56.6).
Grammar and punctuation shows the smallest growth nationally, which helps explain why it has the lowest share of Year 7 students meeting expectations.
Final Thoughts
| Domain | Average score 2026 | % Strong or above | % Needs support or exempt | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spelling | 541.6 | 72.5% | 9.4% | Strongest domain, stable |
| Numeracy | 547.9 | 69.9% | 10.7% | Highest since 2023, significant improvement |
| Reading | 535.1 | 66.8% | 12.4% | Significant decline from 2025 |
| Writing | 535.2 | 62.4% | 14.2% | Wide gender gap; results carry a testing caveat |
| Grammar and Punctuation | 535.2 | 60.1% | 17.1% | Significant decline; more students needing support |
The 2026 Year 7 results show a widening split between numeracy and literacy. Numeracy has improved every year since 2023, with more students reaching Exceeding and significant gains in NSW and Victoria. Spelling remains strong and stable.
Literacy is the concern. Reading and grammar and punctuation declined significantly in 2026, and the share of students needing additional support has risen across reading, writing, and grammar and punctuation. The long-term data adds context: Year 7 literacy has barely improved since 2008, even as Year 3 and Year 5 results rose substantially.
For families, the transition to high school is a key moment. Students who start Year 7 with gaps in reading and writing can find it harder to keep up as every subject relies more heavily on reading comprehension and extended writing.
What Can Parents Do?
- Read the report as a snapshot. NAPLAN is one test on one day. Use it alongside your child's school reports and conversations with their teachers.
- Keep reading a habit. Encourage wide reading for enjoyment, including novels, news and non-fiction, and talk about what they've read to build comprehension and vocabulary.
- Support extended writing. High school subjects rely on paragraphs, essays and reports. Practising structured writing at home, especially for boys, can help close the gap.
- Build on numeracy momentum. Year 7 numeracy is improving. Keep it going with regular practice and by connecting maths to real-world problems.
- Get support early if needed. If your child is at Developing or Needs additional support, addressing gaps early in high school makes a big difference. Our NAPLAN tutors in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth work one-on-one with students to build the literacy and numeracy skills NAPLAN assesses. Read more about the differences between tutoring for primary and high school students.
See our 2026 analyses for Year 3 and Year 5, or last year's analyses for Year 7 and Year 9.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the 2026 NAPLAN results released?
ACARA released the 2026 NAPLAN National Results on 5 August 2026. Students sat the tests in March 2026.
What percentage of Year 7 students met expectations in 2026?
Nationally, 72.5% of Year 7 students were at Strong or above in spelling, 69.9% in numeracy, 66.8% in reading, 62.4% in writing and 60.1% in grammar and punctuation.
Did Year 7 NAPLAN results go up or down in 2026?
Both. Numeracy improved significantly and is at its highest level since 2023. Reading and grammar and punctuation declined significantly from 2025.
Which state had the best Year 7 NAPLAN results in 2026?
NSW, Victoria and the ACT led every domain. NSW and Victoria shared the highest numeracy score, Victoria led in writing, the ACT in reading, and NSW in spelling and grammar and punctuation.
Do Year 7 NAPLAN results reflect primary or secondary school?
Mostly primary school. Students sit NAPLAN in March, only a few weeks into Year 7, so the results largely reflect the skills they developed by the end of primary school.
Need Help With the Step Up to High School?
Our tutors offer one-on-one support for secondary students in English, maths and every core subject, in person and online, helping students build strong foundations for the rest of high school.
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Source: ACARA, 2026 NAPLAN National Results, national results dataset and NAPLAN results 2008–2022. All figures are for Year 7 students unless stated.
