Australia’s latest NAPLAN results have renewed attention on literacy, with reading scores falling across several year groups.
Average reading scores for students in Years 5, 7, and 9 were lower in 2026 than in 2025, according to national assessment data. Overall, around two-thirds of students achieved Strong or Exceeding proficiency levels across reading, numeracy and writing. About one in 10 students remained at the Needs additional support level across all year groups and domains. In 2025, 68% of students achieved Strong or Exceeding results in reading, according to NAPLAN figures cited by Officeworks.
Literacy campaign targets children facing barriers
The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) has previously cited research showing nearly one in five Australian children are developmentally vulnerable before starting school. It has also cited research showing about 44% of Australian adults lack the functional literacy skills needed for everyday life and work.
The results come as Officeworks and the ALNF launch this year’s Literacy is Freedom Appeal. The campaign will run throughout September and support literacy programs for children and young people facing barriers to essential literacy skills.
Officeworks said donations would help fund programs and resources delivered by ALNF. The campaign follows more than $530,000 raised by Officeworks customers last year. That funding enabled ALNF to distribute more than 4,080 Literacy and Numeracy Packs to children and young people across Australia. The packs included school supplies, learning resources, and a new book for children to keep.
Schools strengthen early support
The campaign also comes as Australian schools introduce greater emphasis on identifying learning difficulties earlier. The Better and Fairer Schools Agreements include Year 1 phonics checks and early-years numeracy checks. The measures are intended to help schools identify students requiring additional assistance during the early years of schooling. The agreements also include evidence-based teaching practices and targeted support for students who need additional help.
The federal government has tied additional school funding to these reforms. The Education Department has reported progress in implementing the reforms across states and territories. Year 1 phonics checks are now in place across Australia, while approaches to early-years numeracy checks differ between jurisdictions.
The 2026 results have also highlighted schools where reading performance has improved after changes to teaching practices. Education Minister Jason Clare has pointed to schools using phonics instruction and small-group tutoring as examples of schools recording stronger results.
At Highvale Primary School in Victoria, the proportion of Year 3 students achieving Exceeding in reading increased by 25.1 percentage points between 2023 and 2026. The proportion of Year 5 students achieving Exceeding increased by 11.3 percentage points over the same period.
The results come from individual schools and do not demonstrate that the same approach will produce identical outcomes elsewhere. They have nevertheless added to the discussion about structured literacy teaching and targeted support.
NAPLAN provides national information about student achievement and progress, but classroom assessments provide additional information about individual learning needs. For schools, resources remain another consideration when supporting students who experience barriers to learning.
Reaching communities most at risk
ALNF works with First Nations communities, refugee and newly arrived communities, and other groups facing barriers to literacy and education. The organisation has delivered evidence-based language and literacy programs for more than 25 years.
Officeworks managing director John Gualtieri said every child should have the opportunity to develop the literacy skills needed to succeed.
ALNF CEO Anne Hollonds AO said literacy provides foundations for education, opportunity, and participation. “Literacy opens up the world for children, building the foundations for a lifetime of opportunity. Far too many Australian children are still missing out,” she said.
Officeworks said customers can contribute online or at checkout in stores until Sept. 30.