NAPLAN 2023

INFORMATION KIT FOR SCHOOLS

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Contents
NAPLAN 2023 test timetable........................................................................................................................1
Preparing your school for the earlier NAPLAN test window ..........................................................................3
Technical readiness for online test delivery ...................................................................................................4
Student enrolment and managing NAPLAN test participation.......................................................................5
Staff training and support.............................................................................................................................6
Student familiarisation and NAPLAN practice................................................................................................7
Adjustments for students with disability .......................................................................................................8
Information for parents and carers ..............................................................................................................9
More support ...............................................................................................................................................9
NAPLAN 2023 checklist ..............................................................................................................................10
NAPLAN 2023 test timetable
There are some big changes to NAPLAN in 2023. The most Find out more
significant is the shifting of the test window from the traditional
The full NAPLAN 2023 test timetable is available as an
Term 2 (May) period to Term 1 (March). Moving the test period
infographic via the Australian Curriculum Assessment and
to Term 1 will enable results to be made available much earlier
Reporting Authority (ACARA) website.
in the school year to inform school and system teaching and
learning programs.
The NAPLAN test window runs from Wednesday 15 March to
Monday 27 March 2023. In addition, contingencies will be in
place in 2023 to support schools who are affected by a major
disruption during the scheduled test window. A four-day ‘test
security period’ will be in place from Tuesday 28 March to
Friday 31 March 2023. Schools impacted by disruptions during
NAPLAN are required to contact the VCAA to gain permission
to use the test security period.

Important test schedule changes

NAPLAN In 2022, the scheduling of NAPLAN writing was staggered according to year level, with secondary students
writing (Years 7 and 9) commencing their tests on day 2 of the test window.
In 2023, all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will commence their writing tests on day 1, Wednesday 15 March.

NAPLAN The conventions of language test has been re-ordered for 2023. Students will start the test with the spelling
conventions (audio dictation) and finish with grammar and punctuation. The test is locked after students complete the
of language spelling section.
It is expected that students will be able to manage their full test time if they start with the spelling test. This
change will benefit students who need more time to read and answer the longer, text-heavier grammar and
punctuation questions.
See the NAPLAN 2023 conventions of language infographic for more details.

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Ramadan and Eid If schools will not be able to complete all test domains within
the test window, including the days scheduled for catch-up
NAPLAN testing dates are established in consultation with tests, they must contact the VCAA for approval to schedule
state, territory and federal authorities, accommodating different assessments in the test security period.
term dates in all states and territories. As Islamic celebrations
such as Ramadan and Eid are set by the lunar calendar, with
the dates changing from year to year, they may, at times, fall
Schools open with absent students
during NAPLAN. Schools that are open throughout the test window can use
the catch-up days for students who have been absent due to
ACARA consults with the Islamic Schools Association of
Ramadan commitments or Eid celebrations.
Australia to review and update, as required, recommended
approaches and the flexibility needed to support Islamic Schools that have compelling reasons to schedule the writing
schools and students completing NAPLAN in years when it test outside of days 1 and 2 of the test window must request
may overlap with Ramadan and particularly Eid. permission from the VCAA.
In 2023, Ramadan overlaps with the last four days of the For further information, schools can refer to the nationally
NAPLAN test window. The overlap of dates may raise agreed protocols provided by the VCAA. These protocols will
scheduling issues for some schools that may either be closed be available in December 2022.
for several days for the Eid celebration, or if open, have some
students absent. Support for students
To identify appropriate measures, parents and carers may wish
Schools closed for Eid to discuss with their child’s school any concerns regarding
or Ramadan commitments their child observing Ramadan and participating in NAPLAN.
Schools with Muslim students can schedule NAPLAN tests first
Schools that are closed on days 1 and 2 of the NAPLAN
thing in the morning to ensure fasting students’ energy levels
test window should contact the VCAA to schedule writing on
are at their highest.
another day.
When schools reopen, schools should follow the
prescribed test sequence: writing, reading, conventions of
language, numeracy.

2
Preparing your school for the earlier
NAPLAN test window
This year a major milestone was reached nationally, with Important changes to the timeframe for
the transition from NAPLAN paper-based to online testing
completed in May 2022. Schools demonstrated their readiness
ordering alternative test formats
for online testing by working through the NAPLAN transition
program and participating in a range of scheduled activities. To accommodate the earlier testing window and a
With the online transition complete, schools can consolidate revised printing schedule, the timeframe for ordering
their hard work throughout the transition years’ to move paper-based alternative test books has changed.
towards administering NAPLAN in the online format from 2023 Schools will need to review their student-learning
as a ‘business as usual’ activity. plans and order these test booklets by no later than
Thursday 8 December 2022.
The information and resources contained throughout this kit
will ensure schools can confidently progress with the online Before ordering alternative paper test booklets, schools
delivery of the NAPLAN tests. should encourage students who may have required
these previously to access the NAPLAN public
NAPLAN Test Administration Website demonstration website to determine if they can
access NAPLAN online. Students should test the zoom
Schools will be familiar with the use of the VCAA NAPLAN and colour contrast settings they may already be
Test Administration Website to manage their participation using in the classroom to see if these are suitable.
in the test program. Access to this website will continue for
NAPLAN 2023. Importantly, to meet the timelines for earlier
testing in March 2023, school principals can access the site Students who require Braille are able to access hard-copy
from Monday 14 November 2022 to: Braille tests. Studies are underway to determine if an online
; Confirm school details and key contacts Braille version of NAPLAN can be delivered in the future.
; Nominate staff for NAPLAN 2023 testing (NAPLAN
coordinator and technical support officer) If you need to make changes next year
; Access and complete the Statement of Compliance for School principals will have access to the website in the lead up
NAPLAN 2023 to NAPLAN 2023 in March to update their details as needed.
; Order alternative test formats for eligible students If necessary, you can nominate different staff (i.e. you may need
(e.g. Braille) to nominate a new NAPLAN coordinator next year) and/or
; Load student enrolment data for NAPLAN 2023 update any of the online readiness tools available (i.e. resubmit
(independent schools only) your Technical Readiness Check due to an ICT upgrade).
; Apply for disability adjustments that require VCAA approval The VCAA will be in touch with your school throughout Term
(scribe, extra double test time, assistive technology that 1, 2023 to monitor the completion of these key activities and
requires the use of an unsecured browser, and the use of a to support your school in planning for the earlier NAPLAN
computer for Year 3 writing) test window.
; Access and submit an updated Technical Readiness Check
; Access an updated Test Scheduler to assist with planning NAPLAN Test Packages
test sessions to meet the requirements of the NAPLAN Schools will receive a ‘Principals package’ for NAPLAN 2023
2023 test timetable at the start of Term 1, with distribution commencing from
From Monday 30 January 2023, the site will be updated Monday 30 January 2023. Packages will include all materials
to enable: (including Grid Cards and printed handbooks) required to
administer NAPLAN in March 2023, with the exception of Year
; Applications for student exemptions and withdrawals for 3 writing books, which will be distributed to primary schools
NAPLAN 2023 from Tuesday 28 February 2023.
; Request extra test materials for NAPLAN 2023 to
be submitted Alternative test format booklets will be sent on the same date
to all schools who ordered them.
To assist schools in completing these tasks, the website will be
pre-populated with 2022 data where applicable.

3
Technical readiness for online test delivery
NAPLAN is conducted via the Online National Assessment
Preparation of student devices and the
Platform (assessform). For NAPLAN 2023, principals will
be required to register their school account from Monday Locked Down Browser
13 February 2023. An invitation will be emailed to school Students will access the NAPLAN tests via a secure Locked
principals, with instructions on how to complete the registration Down Browser (LDB) that must be installed on their device
process. Once registered, principals can invite their nominated before the test days. An updated LDB will be available for
staff to register for their specific NAPLAN roles (i.e. NAPLAN download from Wednesday 30 November 2022.
coordinator and technical support officer).
To access NAPLAN, the latest version of the LDB must be installed
Teachers or support staff who will be administering NAPLAN – older versions of the application will not work for testing in 2023.
do not need to complete a personal registration on
assessform. NAPLAN test sessions are administered using
a series of system-generated codes that will be provided to NAP Locked Down Browser 2023 icon
teachers by the NAPLAN coordinator or principal before the
test days.
Schools are encouraged to download and test the 2023 LDB as
The Online National Assessment Platform (assessform) will
soon as possible upon release. Ideally, this will commence from
function as in previous NAPLAN online test cycles and most
December 2022 to give time for testing on all student devices to be
schools will be familiar with how to use the system to deliver
used for NAPLAN in March 2023.
the tests. Where staff are unfamiliar with the platform or require
a refresh of their knowledge, the VCAA has prepared a series In cases where the LDB cannot be installed in 2022, schools
of training materials to demonstrate the key functionality in the should action this as a priority at the start of Term 1, 2023.
test preparation, test delivery and results phases. See more in Students who bring your own device to school should be
the ‘Staff training and support’ section on page 6. encouraged to download and test LDB on their device with
plenty of time before the start of the test window in March.
New schools administering NAPLAN online for the first time
More details on how to make sure students are ready to sit the
in 2023 will be provided with targeted support from the VCAA
NAPLAN tests can be found in the ‘Student familiarisation and
based on their needs and in keeping with the readiness
NAPLAN practice’ section on page 7.
program completed by schools who have already made the
transition to online testing.
Technical Readiness Check
The VCAA NAPLAN Technical Readiness Check is a useful tool
that will help your school to assess your ICT set-up and ensure
that you can meet the minimum requirements to conduct
NAPLAN in 2023.
The tool contains a detailed questionnaire into which schools
can input details on the number of students expected to sit the
tests, the number and configuration of the rooms available for
testing, available bandwidth and test device details. The tool is
adaptable and can be completed as many times as necessary
for optimal online set-up for NAPLAN.
Schools are encouraged to work with their ICT team and their
nominated technical support officer to complete the Technical
Readiness Check.
Support for ICT planning and infrastructure for government
schools is available via the Information Management and
Technology Division (IMTD) through your local Service
Technician or Service Delivery Manager.
The latest technical documentation for NAPLAN can be found
on the assessform Technology page.

Important changes
NAPLAN 2023 Locked Down Browser (LDB) is available The LDB for NAPLAN is being released earlier for 2023.
from 30 November 2022. Make sure you have a plan to download and test the new
LDB on all student devices to be used for testing before
the start of the March test window.

4
Student enrolment and managing
NAPLAN test participation
Schools will have access to student enrolment information on
the Online National Assessment Platform (assessform) from
Monday 6 March 2023.
From this date, principals or NAPLAN coordinators will be able
to securely log into the platform to:
• Check and edit pre-loaded student records
• Add new students and update records for those who have
left your school
• Review and add, where required, school-approved disability
adjustment codes to students for one or more test domains
• Create or alter class groups and assigned students
• Manage student test participation statuses (i.e. updating
records for exempt or withdrawn students)
• Prepare NAPLAN test session materials, including
test administrator and student session slips, and
attendance lists

Important changes

NAPLAN test preparation week Schools will have 7 days (Monday 6 March to Tuesday 14 March) to manage student
enrolment and prepare their NAPLAN test materials before the start of the test window.
Make sure you are on track to access the platform as soon as possible from Monday 6
March to manage your student records and set up test sessions for the delivery of the tests.

Student enrolment data is not To meet the earlier test window, a dedicated practice test window is not scheduled
pre-populated for NAPLAN for 2023.
practice tests
Student enrolment data will not be used for schools who wish to facilitate practice testing
via the training environment. Schools will instead have access to ‘dummy’ student records
to facilitate NAPLAN practice tests. See more in the ‘Student familiarisation and NAPLAN
practice’ section on page 7.

5
Staff training and support
Training materials Platform training environment
Schools will have access to updated NAPLAN training From the start of Term 1, 2023, schools will have access to a
materials via the VCAA website from the start of Term 1, 2023. dedicated ‘training environment’ for staff to practice using the
platform. The training environment replicates the functionality
Staff are encouraged to access these materials to refresh their
of the NAPLAN platform and is a great resource for new or
knowledge of the platform and the NAPLAN test administration
inexperienced staff to learn how to deliver the tests.
requirements. Staff who have not acted in the roles of NAPLAN
coordinator or test administrator should take time to review The NAPLAN coordinator and test administration training
the relevant course materials before the NAPLAN 2023 courses contain a series of guided activities for schools to
test window. practice setting up and delivering NAPLAN test sessions with
staff and students. See more in the ‘Student familiarisation and
Handbooks NAPLAN practice’ section on page 7.
Updated handbooks will be published for NAPLAN 2023
via the VCAA website. Schools will receive hard copies of
the NAPLAN handbooks at the start of Term 1, 2023 in the
‘Principals package’.
The use of all NAPLAN handbooks is essential to support the
fair and standardised delivery of the tests in accordance with
the National Protocols for Test Administration.

Important change
To accommodate the earlier testing window in Term 1, 2023 scheduled NAPLAN training sessions (webinar or face to face)
will no longer take place. These sessions were designed to support schools to transition from paper-based to online testing.
Schools who need extra support after reviewing the online training materials are encouraged to contact the VCAA NAPLAN
Helpdesk for targeted assistance.

6
Student familiarisation and NAPLAN practice
During the NAPLAN online transition period, schools were
2. Scheduled practice tests
encouraged to participate in a scheduled NAPLAN practice
test window and on a dedicated National ‘Coordinated While the NAPLAN public demonstration website is an
Practice Test’ (CPT) day in March. excellent general resource for NAPLAN, using this website
for student familiarisation does not mimic the secure online
With the online transition completed this year, there is no experience (i.e. testing administered under timed and
NAPLAN practice test window or CPT scheduled in 2023. This supervised conditions).
means schools will have the flexibility to administer practice
tests to students at any time that suits them from the start of Schools that wish to administer more formalised practice tests
Term 1 until the first day of the NAPLAN 2023 test window on are recommended to use the platform training environment to
Wednesday 15 March. deliver tests sessions with staff acting as test administrators.
This option has a range of benefits including:
In 2023, there are two ways schools can organise
• providing a mechanism to familiarise test administrators in
practice tests.
their role and facilitating NAPLAN student familiarisation (in
1. NAPLAN public line with the national protocols) at the same time
• testing ICT set-up for NAPLAN to enable time for
demonstration website remediation (e.g. managing school networks and access to
This site is available 24/7 for teachers, parents and carers, the platform, and installation of the latest LDB).
and students to access. The site enables users to familiarise
Practice tests available via the training environment include:
themselves with the types of questions and functionalities
available in the online NAPLAN assessment. • Omnibus Practice
• Practice Writing – narrative (not Year 3)
The public demonstration site contains demonstration
tests for conventions of language (spelling, grammar and • Practice Writing – persuasive (not Year 3)
punctuation), numeracy, reading and writing for each NAPLAN • Reading Practice
test year level (Years 3, 5, 7 and 9). The exception is for Year • Conventions of Language (COL) Practice
3 writing – as students will complete the writing test on paper,
• Numeracy Practice
there is no online demonstration test available. These same
demonstration tests can also be accessed from the Locked With a more flexible approach to practice testing available
Down Browser menu, once downloaded and installed on the in 2023, your school may elect to combine use of both the
student device. NAPLAN public demonstration website and the training
environment, or to stick with one approach.
Sample NAPLAN paper tests and past writing prompts for all
year levels are available on the ACARA website: Options also exist for schools to use the NAPLAN public
demonstration website in late Term 4 with current Year 2, 4, 6
NAPLAN 2008–2011 test papers and answers
and 8 students who will be sitting NAPLAN in 2023.
NAPLAN 2012–2016 test papers and answers
Whichever method you choose, make sure you provide
your students with an appropriate level of support to access
NAPLAN practice tests to set them up for success during the
March test period.

Important changes

NAPLAN practice test window and Coordinated Student enrolment for practice tests
Practice Test (CPT)
Due to the earlier testing window, student enrolment data
There is no formal practice test window or CPT for NAPLAN will not be available to load on the NAPLAN 2023 platform
2023. Schools should design a practice test plan using the to facillate practice tests.
NAPLAN public demonstration website and/or the platform
Schools can use the platform training environment loaded
training environment.
with ‘dummy’ student records for practice testing. This
environment will be available from the commencement of
Term 1, 2023.

7
Adjustments for students with disability
A range of reasonable adjustments are available for students
Adjustments requiring VCAA approval
with disability to support their access to the NAPLAN tests.
Four disability adjustments for NAPLAN require VCAA approval:
An adjustment is considered reasonable if it achieves the
purpose of enabling participation by taking into account the 1. Scribe
student’s learning needs and balancing the interest of all 2. Double extra test time
parties affected, including those of the student with disability, 3. Assistive technology and colour contrast settings that
the education provider, staff and other students. require the use of an unsecured browser
A list of possible adjustments that may be provided for NAPLAN 4. Use of a computer for Year 3 writing
is included in the National Protocols for Test Administration.
Schools must apply for these via the NAPLAN Test
Reasonable adjustments for the NAPLAN tests must always be Administration Website. Once approved, the VCAA will update
considered on a case-by-case basis. student records on the Online National Assessment Platform
(assessform) and these will be available for schools to review
How to determine suitable adjustments from Monday 6 March 2023.
for NAPLAN The application of these adjustments without VCAA approval is
The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority considered a breach of the national test protocols.
(ACARA) has prepared a comprehensive series of scenarios All other adjustments can be added by principals or NAPLAN
and possible adjustments to apply for NAPLAN. The coordinators directly to student records on the platform and will
scenarios include videos with students, parents and carers, be automatically applied on test days (e.g. a colour contrast
and teachers for each category, and are intended to help adjustment).
schools to determine the best approach for managing disability
adjustments for their students. Remember that you must apply to order alternative
(paper-based) test books for eligible students by no later than
One of the best ways to explore the accessibility functions Thursday 8 December 2022.
of the NAPLAN platform is to use the NAPLAN public
demonstration Website. The demonstration site showcases
the available colour themes as well as the alternative (audio
and visual) question formats. The site can also be used
to test the keyboard shortcuts, zoom, navigation and
numeracy tools.
We encourage all schools to engage staff and parents and
carers with these resources to determine the best approach to
support students with disability to participate in NAPLAN 2023.

8
Information for
parents and carers
The National Protocols for Test Administration require schools
to actively engage with parents and carers, and the school
community regarding NAPLAN. Specifically, principals are
responsible for making sure all eligible students in Years 3, 5, 7
and 9 are supported to sit the tests.
Schools must make sure parents and carers are aware of the
NAPLAN test window dates and your planned test schedule.
To promote test participation and inclusion, students who
are absent during a scheduled test session must be given
the opportunity to sit a catch-up test during the available
test dates.
Should parents and carers not want their child to sit one
or more of the NAPLAN tests, schools must facilitate
withdrawal using the forms provided via the NAPLAN Test
Administration Website. A record of all student withdrawals
must be maintained at the school.
Students may be exempt from one or more of the tests (that is
writing, reading, conventions of language or numeracy) on the
grounds of English language proficiency or disability. Again, the
correct form must be completed and retained.
To assist with communications, a number of information sheets
and pamphlets for parents and carers are available in multiple
languages on the VCAA website.
ACARA provides communication materials, videos and
infographics for schools and parents and carers on the
NAPLAN website.

More support
Contact the VCAA NAPLAN Helpdesk during business hours on
1800 648 637 or email VCAA NAPLAN Help.

9
NAPLAN 2023 checklist
Use the checklist below to manage your NAPLAN 2023 preparation.

Activity Where When Due by

Term 4, 2022

Order alternative test formats for eligible students (e.g. Braille) 8 December 2022

Confirm school details and key contacts

Nominate NAPLAN coordinator and technical support officer

10 February 2023
Complete the Statement of Compliance (principal) VCAA
NAPLAN Test 14 November
Load student enrolment data (independent schools only) Administration 2022
Website
Submit an updated Technical Readiness Check
3 March 2023
Submit a Test Schedule

Apply for disability adjustments that require VCAA approval

(the VCAA will update student records on the Online National 8 March 2023
Assessment Platform following approval)

Download and install the latest Locked Down Browser on all 30 November
assessform
student devices 2022

Term 1, 2023

30 January From 3 February

Receive NAPLAN ‘Principals package’ Courier
2023 2023

NAPLAN training
8 March 2023
environment or
Facilitate student practice tests
ACARA public
Anytime
demonstration site
Register on NAPLAN 2023 platform (principal) and invite From 30
assessform 6 March 2023
NAPLAN coordinator January 2023

VCAA NAPLAN
30 January
Request extra test materials (paper tests only) Test Administration 9 March 2023
2023
Website
VCAA NAPLAN
30 January
Test Administration 8 March 2023
2023
Website
Process applications for student exemptions and withdrawals
Update student record
6 March 2023 15 March 2023
on assessform

Receive Year 3 writing test packages and alternative format

Courier 28 February 2023
test books

Review student enrolment, update student test participation

assessform 6 March 2023 15 March 2023
statuses and disability adjustment codes

Set up test sessions and prepare Test Administrator packs

assessform 6 March 2023 15 March 2023
with TA and student session slips

Conduct NAPLAN tests assessform 15 March 2023 27 March 2023

NAPLAN test security period (VCAA approval required for

assessform 28 March 2023 31 March 2023
testing)

Finalise NAPLAN 2023 student participation for results

assessform 31 March 2023
generation and reporting

10