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Foundation to Year 9

School tests in Australia

Every child in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 takes NAPLAN, a national test in reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy, in March. Results show how your child compares with national expectations. Some states also have optional tests for selective schools and classes. The school year follows the calendar year.

Tests by school yearSelective school tests
Updated on Sources

Which test in which school year?

From Foundation to Year 9. Pick a test for the full guide.

yearFage 5–6
year16–7
year27–8
year38–9
year49–10
year510–11
year611–12
year712–13
year813–14
year914–15
  1. School reports

    Written reports twice a year, with A to E grades from Year 1.

    year F age 5–6; year 1 6–7; year 2 7–8; year 3 8–9; year 4 9–10; year 5 10–11; year 6 11–12; year 7 12–13; year 8 13–14; year 9 14–15
  2. Year 1 phonics check

    A short reading check with the teacher, in most states.

    year 1 6–7
  3. NAPLAN

    Reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy, every March.

    year 3 8–9; year 5 10–11; year 7 12–13; year 9 14–15
  4. Opportunity class test (NSW)

    Optional, in Year 4, for a place in Years 5 and 6.

    year 4 9–10
  5. Selective high school test (NSW)

    Optional, in Year 6, for a place from Year 7.

    year 6 11–12
  6. Selective entry exam (Victoria)

    Optional, in Year 8, for a place from Year 9.

    year 8 13–14

The test guides

A full guide per test: what is tested, when, and what the result means.

The 2027 school year

Official dates where they exist. Dates marked as expected follow the pattern of earlier years. Exact dates are shown only where checked against the official timetable; other periods are indicative. Confirm local arrangements with your school.

  1. Late January – early February 2027 (indicative; check locally)
    New school year

    Start dates differ by state

  2. 10 – 22 March 2027
    NAPLANNational

    Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 · writing on the first day

  3. Term 3 2027 (indicative; check locally)
    NAPLAN reports to parentsNational

    Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 · timing differs by state

After Year 6: starting high school

In every state, primary school ends after Year 6 and children start high school in Year 7. Most go to their local government high school without a test.

  • Local high school

    1. Year 6
    2. Year 7

    Then: Senior certificate in Year 12

    Government high schools take children from their local area. NAPLAN results do not decide places.

  • Selective school (NSW)

    1. Test in Year 6
    2. Year 7

    Then: Or the local high school

    Places go in order of the placement test score and your school choices.

  • Selective school (Victoria)

    1. Exam in Year 8
    2. Year 9

    Then: Or stay at the current school

    Four schools take students from Year 9 to Year 12.

More in the guides:

Selective school testsNAPLAN

Sources

Updated on 12 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.