If your child’s NAPLAN result says Needs additional support, the most important thing to know is that this is information, not a verdict. It tells you and the school where help will make the biggest difference. This guide explains what a NAPLAN Needs additional support result means, the questions to ask the school, and how to help at home.
What Needs additional support means in NAPLAN
ACARA describes this level as showing your child is not yet achieving the expected learning outcomes and is likely to need additional support to progress satisfactorily. The aim is to flag children early so support can start.
How Needs additional support compares to the other levels
| Level | What it means (ACARA) |
|---|---|
| Exceeding | Your child’s result is above expectations at the time of testing. |
| Strong | Your child’s result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing. |
| Developing | Your child’s result shows they are working towards expectations at the time of testing. |
| Needs additional support | Your child is not yet achieving the expected learning outcomes and is likely to need additional support to progress satisfactorily. |
Needs additional support is the first of the four levels, below Developing. Look closely at each area: many children are at this level in one area and higher in others.
Reading the report
Your child’s individual report shows their result as a dot on a scale for each test area, with a triangle marking the national average for their year level and a shaded box showing where the middle 60% of students landed. Some states also show the school average. The last page describes the skills typical of each level.
Questions to ask the school
- Does this result match what you see in class?
- What support is available at school, and how will progress be checked?
- Which specific skills should we work on at home?
- When can we review progress together?
Frequently asked questions
Does Needs additional support mean my child has a learning difficulty?
Not necessarily. It shows where your child was on test day. The teacher can help you work out what is behind it.
What should I do first?
Book a time to talk with your child’s teacher and agree on one or two skills to focus on.
How can I help at home without adding stress?
Keep sessions short, encouraging and regular, and celebrate small wins.
Related guides
- NAPLAN Proficiency Levels Explained
- What Does Developing Mean in NAPLAN?
- NAPLAN Results Explained for Parents
- NAPLAN Practice Test Year 5
Information current for NAPLAN 2026, based on published guidance from ACARA and state test authorities.