NAPLAN past papers
The real NAPLAN past papers that exist are the 2008 to 2016 tests for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. ACARA, which runs NAPLAN, publishes them free with answers. No test since 2016 has been released. Here is where to find them, what has changed since, and free practice tests in the format students sit now.
Where the official NAPLAN past papers are
| Years of the test | What is there | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 to 2016 | Reading, language conventions, numeracy and writing for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, with answers | NAPLAN 2012 to 2016 test papers (acara.edu.au) |
| 2008 to 2011 | The same four tests for the first four years of NAPLAN, with answers | NAPLAN 2008 to 2011 test papers (acara.edu.au) |
| 2017 onwards | Not released | Public demonstration site (nap.edu.au), a short sample of the online test for each year, with no answers |
Each paper is a PDF. Reading comes as two files, the reading magazine with the texts and the question booklet. Writing is the prompt. The papers are ACARA’s copyright, so I link to them here and do not copy or host them.
Why there are no NAPLAN past papers after 2016
ACARA’s page says it plainly: it does not provide access to the NAPLAN tests after 2016, because they are used for other projects in the National Assessment Program. So a site offering a “NAPLAN 2025 past paper” is offering its own practice questions under that name. That is what my practice tests are too, and I would rather say so.
What has changed since those papers
The reading, spelling, grammar and maths have not changed much. The test around them has.
| 2008 to 2016 papers | NAPLAN now | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is sat | On paper, in booklets | Online, one question at a time (Year 3 writing is still on paper) |
| Questions | Every student gets the same ones | Tailored: the next group of questions depends on how the student is going |
| Answers | Shade a bubble or write in a box | Click, type, drag into order, select all that apply |
| When | May | March (10 to 22 March in 2027) |
| Results | Ten bands | Four proficiency levels |
How I would use the past papers
- For the questions, not the format. A 2014 numeracy paper is still good fractions and measurement practice. It will not show a student what the screen looks like.
- For reading stamina. The reading magazines are full-length texts with a full set of questions, which is hard to find anywhere else for free.
- For writing prompts. The released prompts show how a real one is worded and laid out.
- Then do one online. Flagging a question, coming back to it and typing an answer are skills of their own, and the first time should not be on the day.
Free NAPLAN practice tests in the current format
I wrote 367 practice questions for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, set out like the online test. Each test marks itself, explains every answer and prints as a paper test with an answer key. None of the questions is copied from a NAPLAN paper.
| Year | Reading | Language conventions | Numeracy | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3 NAPLAN practice tests 82 questions | 27 questions | 27 questions | 28 questions | 2 prompts |
| Year 5 NAPLAN practice tests 90 questions | 29 questions | 30 questions | 31 questions | 2 prompts |
| Year 7 NAPLAN practice tests 94 questions | 31 questions | 32 questions | 31 questions | 2 prompts |
| Year 9 NAPLAN practice tests 101 questions | 32 questions | 34 questions | 35 questions | 2 prompts |
For more, Australian teachers sell full NAPLAN practice packs on TeachBuySell: browse NAPLAN resources, or read NAPLAN practice resources and my NAPLAN 2027 guide.
Questions about NAPLAN past papers
Where can I download NAPLAN past papers?
From ACARA, which runs NAPLAN. Its website has every test paper from 2008 to 2016 for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, free, as PDFs with the answers. There are two pages: NAPLAN 2012 to 2016 test papers and NAPLAN 2008 to 2011 test papers.
Are there NAPLAN past papers from 2017 to 2026?
No. ACARA does not release the tests after 2016. It says they are used for other projects in the National Assessment Program. Any website offering a "2025 NAPLAN paper" is offering its own practice questions, which is fine as long as it says so.
Are the old NAPLAN papers still useful?
Yes, for the questions. The reading, spelling, grammar and maths being tested have not changed much. The format has: the old papers are booklets, and the test is now online, one question at a time, with typed answers and questions chosen by how the student is going. Use a past paper for content and an online practice test for the format.
Do the NAPLAN past papers come with answers?
Yes. ACARA publishes the answers beside each paper for reading, language conventions and numeracy. Writing has a marking guide, not an answer.
Can I copy NAPLAN past papers for my class?
The papers are ACARA's copyright. ACARA's copyright page sets out what schools may do with them, so read it before you copy or post them. Linking students and parents to ACARA's page is always fine.
Are the practice tests on this site real NAPLAN questions?
No. I wrote all 367 questions myself, in the formats of the current online test. None is copied from a NAPLAN paper.