What Is a Good NAPLAN Score? Proficiency Levels Explained

Parents often ask what counts as a "good" NAPLAN score. Since 2023, NAPLAN no longer uses the old numerical bands — results are reported as one of four proficiency levels, so "good" is best understood against those.

The four levels

• Exceeding — above the expected level for the year.
• Strong — meeting the expected level.
• Developing — approaching it; some support will help.
• Needs additional support — would benefit from focused help.

So what is "good"?

Strong or Exceeding means your child is meeting or beating the expectations for their year level — a genuinely good result. But the most useful question is not the label; it is whether your child is progressing over time.

For the full picture of how reports work, read NAPLAN results explained.