National average numeracy scores in Years 5, 7 and 9 are now the highest they've been since 2023, new national data shows.
The latest NAPLAN national results, released today by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), found that around 29,000 more students are now sitting in the "Exceeding" category compared to 2023, when the current proficiency levels were introduced.
There are also signs that learning gaps are narrowing, with about 1,600 fewer students rated as needing additional support. Indigenous students are also on the improve, with more hitting "Exceeding" in numeracy at both Years 7 and 9.
For the second year in a row, there was a rise in the number of Indigenous students in Years 7 and 9 achieving the “Exceeding” benchmark in numeracy. However, these gains were not repeated for younger students in Year 3, where the average numeracy score was the lowest since 2023.
Drop in Year 3 numeracy results 'concerning'
ACARA CEO Stephen Gniel said a particularly encouraging outcome in this year’s results is the continued improvement in national numeracy, with higher NAPLAN scores on average across Years 5, 7 and 9, especially among the stronger students.
“All these improvements are testament to the exceptional work and commitment of our amazing teachers, principals and school staff around the country, as well as parents and carers and the students themselves,” he said.
Year 3, however, tells a different story, with numeracy dipping to its lowest average score since 2023 – a result Gniel didn't shy away from.
“The drop in Year 3 numeracy results is clearly concerning,” he said. “Education ministers are addressing this through a range of measures including the rollout of the national Year 1 numeracy check. ACARA is also playing its part by reviewing the Foundation to Year 2 Mathematics curriculum.”
While numeracy climbed, reading didn't follow suit. Average reading scores across Years 5, 7 and 9 fell compared to 2025, and the number of students needing extra support in reading and writing has crept up since 2023. Around two in three students nationally hit "Strong" or "Exceeding" across reading, numeracy and writing, but one in ten are still in the "Needs additional support" bracket across every year group and domain.
A technical glitch on the first day of testing didn't help matters either, disrupting the writing test for Years 5, 7 and 9 students on the east coast. National writing scores held roughly steady on last year, though ACARA has attached a caveat to this year's writing results given how unevenly the disruption hit.
‘The reading wars are over’
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare says the numeracy gains reflect the impact of reforms tied to the government's $20 billion public schools funding boost, which includes Year 1 phonics and numeracy checks and expanded small-group tutoring.
“There is good news here in numeracy. It's going up and up in Years 5 and in high school,” Clare said. “Year 3 maths is a different story. That's why we are fixing the maths curriculum for the first three years of school.”
Clare said this year's data settles a debate that's dragged on for years.
“The reading wars are over,” he said. “This year's results show that in schools using explicit teaching methods, including phonics, and small-group tutoring to give kids who are struggling extra intensive help, results are going up and up.”
Equity gaps remain
Gniel says the persistent gaps for regional, remote, Indigenous and disadvantaged students remain the system's toughest challenge.
“It is also disheartening to see disparities persisting over the years in the attainment of students from our regional and remote areas, Indigenous students and those from a disadvantaged background,” he said.
“This needs to be a continuing focus for all in the coming years.”