NAPLAN marker information

The QCAA is responsible for administering and marking the Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 NAPLAN tests.

Each year, the QCAA employs and trains practising or registered non-practising Queensland teachers, including supply and retired teachers, to mark student responses for the NAPLAN writing tests. NAPLAN writing tests are marked remotely (online) using an online marking platform.

Appointed markers gain valuable professional experience and are paid for the marking and preceding marker training.

The NAPLAN marking operation runs from late March and continues until all student responses have been marked.

The primary objective of the marking operation is to ensure that Queensland student responses to the NAPLAN writing test are marked fairly and accurately, according to the national rubric.

There are three QCAA assessor (NAPLAN marking) roles:

• marker
• group leader
• professional leader.

Role descriptions

• NEW Marking, National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) (PDF, 180.2 KB)

Benefits of becoming a NAPLAN marker

By joining the NAPLAN writing test marking operation, markers can:

• gain insight into how Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students from across Queensland respond to an ‘on demand’ writing task
• experience using a standardised rubric to make judgments about student responses
• experience the NAPLAN writing marking operation and quality assurance processes
• earn extra income working flexible hours from home
• gain continuing professional development points for Queensland College of Teachers registration renewal.

The expertise markers gain through marking NAPLAN writing tests can have an immediate positive impact on teaching practice and stimulate productive conversations with colleagues.

Group leaders and professional leaders

Group leaders and professional leaders perform a vital quality assurance role in the NAPLAN marking operation, ensuring all Queensland students receive fair and consistent scoring of their writing responses.

The benefits of becoming a group leader or professional leader include:

• a higher hourly rate of pay
• flexible work hours from home
• marker monitoring and quality assurance measures training
• experience in operational management, mentoring, leadership and training of markers/group leaders
• opportunities to collaborate, provide feedback and contribute ideas with other group leaders, professional leaders and managers of marking.

Refer to the role description for further information regarding remuneration, role-specific responsibilities and the selection process.

Minimum ICT requirements

All applicants are required to have sufficient computer literacy skills to independently use the marking software program, basic online meeting functions (including microphone access) and the QCAA Portal applications. Applicants must have ongoing access to personal computers or laptops that meet the QCAA’s minimum information and communications technology (ICT) requirements and a stable internet connection. Tablets (including iPads) and phones are not suitable for marking student scripts.

How to apply

For 2026, experienced NAPLAN markers may be invited to complete a streamlined process to confirm their availability for the marking operation. Where this applies, invited returning markers will receive direct communication from the QCAA in Term 4, 2025.

If you do not receive an invitation, you are welcome to apply through the usual vacancy process in the QCAA Portal when 2026 NAPLAN Marker vacancies become available.

Finding out more

If you would like more information, please:

• view the role descriptions for NAPLAN marking
• view the FAQs for NAPLAN markers
• email naplan@qcaa.qld.edu.au.