Did you know your child can have adjustments during NAPLAN to make the tests more accessible? These adjustments help students with disability — including those who are deaf or hard of hearing — have an equivalent learner experience and encourage maximum participation.
What Parents Need to Know:
- Your child has the right to sit NAPLAN. Schools cannot stop your child from participating because of their disability.
- Adjustments are available to support your child’s access to the tests. This might include extra time, assistive technology, or alternative format papers.
- Support should be familiar: Adjustments should reflect the same support your child already uses in class, as outlined in their personalised learning plan or NCCD evidence.
- Test rules still apply: Some adjustments aren’t allowed if they compromise the test’s purpose — for example, reading text aloud to your child during the reading test isn’t permitted.
Examples of Adjustments:
- Extra time or rest breaks
- Assistive technology, like screen readers or hearing devices
- Sign language interpreters for test instructions
- Visual format adjustments, such as large print or Braille papers
What You Can Do:
- Talk to your child’s school early: Discuss what adjustments your child uses daily and how these can be applied to NAPLAN.
- Know your child’s rights: If you’re told your child cannot sit the test, ask why and remind the school that NAPLAN is inclusive — participation should be supported, not denied.
- Check what needs approval: Some adjustments may require approval from your state’s Test administration authority, so start the process as soon as possible.
For more details, including real examples of adjustments, visit the NAPLAN website and speak to your child’s school about the options available.
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