- Queensland achieved its highest NAPLAN participation rate since 2019 with an average of 92.2 percent of eligible students taking part.
- This marks the second consecutive year of increased participation, following the Crisafulli Government’s renewed focus on NAPLAN.
- Results remain consistent with previous years with more than 60 percent of Queensland students recording a proficiency level of strong or exceeding in Reading and Numeracy.
- Under the former Labor Government, students and families were actively discouraged from participating in NAPLAN masking the true extent of Labor’s decade of decline.
Queensland students have delivered the state’s strongest NAPLAN participation since 2019, with 92.2 percent of eligible students across Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 taking part in the 2026 national assessment.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start through a renewed focus on NAPLAN that encourages participation and delivers targeted resources, training and practice sessions to lift results through a NAPLAN readiness program, after Queensland’s NAPLAN results fell below the national average under Labor.
Participation increased in Years 5, 7 and 9 compared with 2025, with Queensland state schools recording their highest Year 7 participation rate since 2014, at 92.4 percent, and their highest Year 9 participation rate since 2017, at 85.7 percent.
More than 60 per cent of Queensland students achieved a proficiency level of strong or exceeding in Reading and Numeracy, with results statistically similar to previous years.
During the former Labor Government’s decade of decline students were actively discouraged from participating in NAPLAN, which reduced participation and concealed the true extent of work required to lift results.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering more teachers and teacher aides, freeing up teachers in the classroom through red tape reduction, and supporting schools to improve classroom behaviour to help kids catch up, keep up and stay in school.
Year 1 phonics and numeracy checks will continue to identify students who require additional support and could benefit from early intervention before NAPLAN begins in Year 3.
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the Crisafulli Government was delivering for Queensland students.
“We know the former Labor Government discouraged NAPLAN participation impacting data and concealing the true extent of their decade of decline,” Minister Langbroek said.
“We know there’s more work to do and it will take time to reverse the impacts of the former Labor Government but are up for the challenge.
“Queensland has recorded its highest participation since 2019, and this provides schools with a clearer picture of student progress and where extra support may be needed.
“The Crisafulli Government is reducing red tape for teachers by 25 percent to cut down on the repetitive paperwork and administration that takes away from teaching time.
“We’re investing in better support for teachers through our $45 million Behaviour Boost because better behaved classrooms provide the best opportunity for all students to learn.
“We’re continuing to put more boots on the ground with 350 additional teacher aides and almost 170 Workplace Health and Safety Officers to ensure teachers have more to focus on teaching and learning.
“Year 1 phonics and numeracy checks, NAPLAN readiness plans and updated materials for schools will help us get back to the basics in education and allow for earlier intervention if students require additional support.
“Opportunities to strengthen students’ digital skills for online assessment have also been embedded within English and Mathematics units to help students prepare for NAPLAN.
“I want to congratulate all Queensland students and teachers in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 who participated in NAPLAN this year,”
