NAPLAN key dates
NAPLAN tests take place each year for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Find out the important dates for NAPLAN tests in 2026.
NAPLAN test window
Wednesday 11 March to Monday 23 March 2026
Schools must ensure that no school camps, excursions, sports carnivals or similar activities are booked during the NAPLAN test window. All schools are expected to complete writing tests on Wednesday 11 March 2026.
If your school has concerns about its ability to complete NAPLAN in the scheduled test window, you should contact the NSW Education Standards Authority's (NESA) NAPLAN team by emailing naplan.nsw@nesa.nsw.edu.au.
All eligible students present at school on the day of each test should take part in NAPLAN. Students absent on the day of a scheduled test may complete a catch-up test. Schools can organise the catch-up tests, which can be completed during the testing window.
2026 key dates
Schools can find the dates below in the 2026 NAPLAN handbook for principals and NAPLAN coordinators, available to download from Schools Online.
| Term | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1, 2026 | Tuesday 27 January | Welcome packs begin arriving in Eastern division schools |
| Term 1, 2026 | Tuesday 3 February | Staff training sessions start |
| Term 1, 2026 | Tuesday 3 February | Principals receive email invitations to register for the Online National Assessment Platform (the platform) |
| Term 1, 2026 | Wednesday 4 February | Welcome packs begin arriving in Western division schools |
| Term 1, 2026 | Friday 20 February | Final day to submit Term 1 disability adjustment applications (assistive technology, colour contrast modification, scribe, double extra time) |
| Term 1, 2026 | Friday 20 February | Test packages begin arriving in schools (for schools with Year 3 students and students using alternative format tests) |
| Term 1, 2026 | Monday 2 March | Schools can access student data and session slips in the platform |
| Term 1, 2026 | Wednesday 11 – Monday 23 March | NAPLAN test window |
| Term 1, 2026 | Wednesday 11 March | All schools must schedule Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 writing test sessions for today |
| Term 1, 2026 | Thursday 12 March | Any remaining Years 5, 7 and 9 writing test sessions (other than individual catch-ups) must be scheduled for today |
| Term 1, 2026 | Monday 16 March | Final day for Year 3 writing catch-up tests and return of Year 3 writing books |
| Term 1, 2026 | Monday 23 March | Final day for all catch-up tests other than Year 3 writing |
| Term 1, 2026 | Monday 23 March | Final day to return alternative format (disability adjustment) test material |
| Term 1, 2026 | Monday 23 March | Final day to update student participation and finalise test sessions in the platform |
| Term 1, 2026 | Monday 23 March | Final day for principal to complete Delivering checklist in the platform |
| Term 1, 2026 | Thursday 26 March | Test security period concludes at the end of the day |
Future NAPLAN test dates
Find the testing dates for future NAPLAN tests.
2027 test window
Wednesday 10 March to Monday 22 March 2027.
2028 test window
Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27 March 2028.
2029 test window
Wednesday 14 March to Monday 26 March 2029.