When submitting applications for QCAA-approved NAPLAN AARA for students with disability, keep in mind:
- All NAPLAN AARA for students with disability require schools to keep a parent/carer signed copy of the Record of adjustment for disability form. The Record of adjustment for disability (school use only) form is available in the NAPLAN administration app (on the Forms and resources tab) and the NAPLAN AARA app (on the Home page).
- Applications must be submitted by the due dates to allow time for the applications to be processed and for alternative format materials to be prepared and delivered. Memo 065/23 (PDF, 168.1 KB) , ‘NAPLAN 2024 — access arrangements and reasonable adjustments (AARA) for students with disability’, 27 October 2023, provides more information on this process.
- Schools will need to apply the student’s disability adjustment code/s on the Online National Assessment Platform once approved by the QCAA.
- Principals and their delegates are expected to have read Section 6 of the National protocols for test administration .
- Principals may also consult the Guide for schools to assist students with disability to access NAPLAN for further advice.
- Prior to submitting applications for QCAA-approved NAPLAN AARA, schools are encouraged to use the NAPLAN public demonstration site to determine whether adjustments built into the NAP locked down browser (e.g. the magnification tool) and/or school-approved adjustments can enable students with disability to access the tests on the same basis as other students.
- Some QCAA-approved NAPLAN AARA for 2024 will be due in Term 4, 2023. QCAA will work with schools requiring adjustments for Year 7 students, and other students not yet enrolled, in Term 1, 2024.
- Subscribe to NAPLAN memos for notification of future updates.
The information below summarises QCAA-approved NAPLAN AARA and is not a comprehensive guide. If you require assistance for adjustments not listed here, contact the QCAA.
Assistive technology
Assistive technology may be provided for students with disability who normally use this technology as part of their usual disability adjustment in classroom assessments. It requires the test to be conducted using an unsecured browser. Examples of acceptable assistive technology include:
- customised pointing devices
- assistive listening devices
- text-to-speech software for numeracy test only
- a word processor for the Year 3 writing test.
See Protocol 6.10 of the National protocols for test administration for more information.
Braille format
Braille format may be provided for students with disability who normally use braille.
See Protocol 6.7 of the National protocols for test administration for more information.
Large print format
Schools may apply for large print format for students with significant vision impairment who normally access assessments using this adjustment and who are unable to access the test using the platform magnification tool.
See Protocol 6.8 of the National protocols for test administration for more information.
Colour contrast modification
Students with disability may be provided with access to an unsecured browser to allow adjustments to colour, contrast or brightness settings on their device.
See Protocol 6.10 of the National protocols for test administration for more information.
Scribe
A scribe may be permitted in the writing test for students who have significant difficulty with the physical act of writing or typing due to a disability. A scribe may be provided for a student with disability in the writing tests who meets all of the following criteria:
- has significant difficulty with the physical act of typing due to a disability or lacks fine motor control due to a disability, or experience excessive fatigue of hands or upper limbs due to a disability
and
- regularly works with a scribe in the classroom
and
- would be unable to access the writing test with any other adjustment available.
Scribes must meet ACARA’s requirements and adhere to NAPLAN scribe rules.
A scribe is not provided for students who:
- have difficulty processing what they want to write
- have poor handwriting (alternative format — paper tests only)
- are reluctant to write or type
- have a temporary injury (such as a broken arm) at the time of the writing test.
See Protocol 6.9 of the National protocols for test administration for more information.
Extra time — double the total test time
Extra time — double the total test time is available for students in exceptional circumstances, e.g. where a student has comorbid disabilities that do not prevent them from accessing the test but require a combination of adjustments that are each, in themselves, time-consuming. This adjustment is usually available only for students using assistive technology.
See Protocol 6.11 of the National protocols for test administration for more information.
Key dates
For closing dates for specific disability adjustment applications, please check the latest NAPLAN checklist. Subscribe to NAPLAN memos for notification of future updates.
- Last updated:
- 17 January 2024
