Official NAPLAN dates: 2027, 2028 and 2029
ACARA’s NAP website publishes the following national windows. The upcoming test window at the time of this review is 2027.
| Year | First day | Last day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Wednesday 10 March | Monday 22 March |
| 2028 | Wednesday 15 March | Monday 27 March |
| 2029 | Wednesday 14 March | Monday 26 March |
Official guidance: NAP: Key dates
What to confirm with the school
The national window spans nine school days. A learner does not sit a test on every day in that range. The school arranges the individual sessions and provides its timetable.
Ask which days each domain will run, what the learner needs to bring and how the school handles an absence. Catch-up and rescheduling rules are administered through schools and their state or territory test administration authority.
- The dates and start times for the learner’s four tests.
- Device, headphone and other practical requirements.
- Any approved adjustments and how they will be provided.
- The school contact for absence or timetable questions.
Official guidance: NAP: Test window and durations
How long are the NAPLAN tests?
These are the standard durations currently published by NAP. Instructions and approved adjustments can affect an individual session. Confirm the applicable administration guidance with the school for the year of testing.
| Domain | Year 3 | Year 5 | Year 7 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing | 40 minutes | 42 minutes | 42 minutes | 42 minutes |
| Reading | 45 minutes | 50 minutes | 65 minutes | 65 minutes |
| Conventions of Language | 45 minutes | 45 minutes | 45 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Numeracy | 45 minutes | 50 minutes | 65 minutes | 65 minutes |
Official guidance: NAP: Test window and durations
When should we practise before NAPLAN?
Begin with the ordinary skills the learner is working on at school. Reading a passage, explaining a calculation and revising a paragraph can all be useful without a countdown calendar.
As the test approaches, use official familiarisation to check the controls and instructions. A timed practice response can be useful after the learner understands the task. Repeated full tests are not a substitute for teaching a skill that needs attention.
When will NAPLAN results arrive?
The testing window does not establish one national delivery date for every family’s individual report. Schools receive reports through the relevant state or territory arrangements. Ask the school when and how the learner’s report will be shared.
A national results release and delivery of an individual student report are different events. Avoid assuming that a date found in an old news article applies to the upcoming year.
Official guidance: NAP: Results and individual student reports
Frequently asked questions
When is NAPLAN in 2027?
The official national window is Wednesday 10 March to Monday 22 March 2027. Confirm the individual test timetable with the school.
Does NAPLAN still happen in May?
The upcoming published NAPLAN window is in March. Older resources may refer to the earlier May schedule; use the current official dates.
Will every school test on exactly the same days?
Schools arrange their sessions within the national window and administration rules. The national date range is not an individual student timetable.
What happens if a learner is absent?
Contact the school promptly. Schools manage catch-up arrangements within the test window under the relevant administration guidance.
Check the official guidance.
Reviewed by TestHero on . Official facts are drawn from the sources below. Examples, prompts and learning suggestions are original TestHero material.
TestHero is an independent practice product. Practice results are not official NAPLAN scores. Check the school and current official guidance for administration details.