Each year, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) employs and trains Queensland teachers to mark student responses for the Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 NAPLAN writing tests. This includes practising teachers, registered non-practising teachers, supply teachers and retired teachers.
NAPLAN writing tests are marked remotely using an online marking platform.
The NAPLAN marking operation starts in late March and continues until all student responses are marked (usually about 3 weeks).
The main 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 3 QCAA NAPLAN marking roles:
- Marker
- Group leader
- Professional leader.
Appointed markers gain valuable professional experience and are paid for the marking and marker training.
Benefits of marking NAPLAN
For markers
Marking NAPLAN writing tests helps you:
- see how students across Queensland respond to on demand writing tasks
- use a standardised rubric to make judgments about student responses
- understand NAPLAN marking and quality assurance processes
- earn extra income working flexible hours from home
- gain continuing professional development (CPD) hours for Queensland College of Teachers registration.
The skills you gain can improve your teaching practice and stimulate helpful conversations with colleagues.
For group leaders and professional leaders
Group leaders and professional leaders perform a vital role in the NAPLAN marking operation, ensuring all Queensland students receive fair and reliable results.
Benefits include:
- a higher hourly rate of pay
- flexible work hours from home
- training in marker monitoring and quality assurance measures
- experience in operational management, mentoring, leadership and training
- opportunities to collaborate with other group leaders, professional leaders and managers of marking.
See the role description for further information regarding remuneration, role-specific responsibilities and the selection process.
Role descriptions
How to apply
Markers, group leaders and professional leaders who were appointed in the 2026 NAPLAN marking operation will automatically be invited to apply for 2027. The invitation streamlines the application process but does not guarantee an appointment to a role.
New markers, and experienced markers who last marked in 2025 or earlier, can apply through the general vacancy in the Assessor Jobs app in the QCAA Portal.
Technical requirements
You must have:
- sufficient computer skills to use the marking software, online meeting functions and QCAA Portal applications
- access to a personal computer or laptop that meets our minimum requirements (listed below)
- a stable internet connection.
Tablets (including iPads) and phones are not suitable for marking student responses.
Minimum ICT requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
Platform | PC | Mac |
Processor speed | 1.80 GHz or faster | |
RAM | 8GB minimum | |
| Disk space | 20GB free space (32GB recommended) | |
Operating system | Windows 10 or later | OSX 14 (Sonoma) or later |
Screen resolution | 1024 x 768 pixels or higher | |
Screen size | Monitor — 17 inches or greater | |
Web browser | Google Chrome — version 128 or later | |
Internet connection | NBN25 (NBN50 recommended) Note: weak internet connection may prevent script scores from uploading to the marking platform, causing them to be re-queued. Markers are only paid once for each individual student script they score and submit. | |
| Internet speed | Download speed — 10 Mbps | |
- Last updated:
- 15 October 2026
