Adjustments requiring NESA approval
Training for school staff
NAPLAN disability adjustments live online training sessions provide details on what adjustments are available, how to decide on appropriate adjustments for students and how to submit an application form for adjustments requiring NESA approval.
Sessions are held from Tuesday 3 February 2026 to Friday 6 March 2026. All sessions run for 1 hour via Microsoft Teams.
Types of adjustments
Some applications for adjustments requiring NESA approval are currently open and close on 20 February 2026.
Alternative format adjustment applications closed on 28 November 2025. If your school has not submitted an application for a student requiring an alternative format adjustment, please contact the NAPLAN team immediately.
Disability adjustments must be discussed and agreed on with the student’s parent or carer.
The parent or carer must sign a consent form that is kept on file at the school for audit purposes. The application must then be submitted to NESA.
Schools submit their applications for the following adjustments via Schools Online.
When submitting a disability adjustment application, please ensure to provide a detailed description of the student’s disability and upload any supportive evidence to address the criteria outlined in the NAPLAN 2026 handbook for principals and NAPLAN coordinators (available in Schools Online).
Alternative format
- Braille CLOSED
- Large print CLOSED
- Electronic PDF tests CLOSED
- Black and white masters CLOSED
Unsecured browser use
- Assistive technology closing date: 20 February 2026
- Colour contrast modification closing date: 20 February 2026
Additional support
- Extra time – double the total test time closing date: 20 February 2026
- Scribe (writing test only) closing date: 20 February 2026
- Computer for writing (Year 3) closing date: 20 February 2026
Alternative format test – Braille test material
Paper tests designed for braille users. Applications closed.
Alternative format test – Large print test material (A4 N18; A4 N24; A3 N18; A3 N24; A3 N36)
Paper tests designed for students with a vision impairment who are unable to access the online tests. Applications closed.
Alternative format test – Electronic PDF tests
PDF tests designed for students working above font size N36, who are not braille proficient or are unable to access the online tests using any other adjustments. Applications closed.
Alternative format test – Black and white masters
Paper tests that may be photocopied onto coloured paper or used with coloured overlays. This is for students who are unable to access the online tests with the colour themes or colour contrast modification adjustments. Applications closed.
Assistive technology
Closing date: 20 February 2026
Students may work outside the NAP locked down browser (NAP LDB) to use their own assistive technology. Approval is only given to technology that does not impact the validity and integrity of the test.
Colour contrast modification
Closing date: 20 February 2026
Students may work outside the NAP LDB to use their own software to modify the background colours and brightness of their screen.
Double extra time
Closing date: 20 February 2026
This adjustment is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. This is usually for students with comorbid disabilities that do not prevent them from accessing the test but require a combination of adjustments that each require additional time. This adjustment is typically available only for students using assistive technology and is therefore assigned in conjunction with the appropriate disability adjustment code.
Scribe
Closing date: 20 February 2026
This adjustment is for students who have significant difficulty with the act of typing due to a physical/visual disability and who regularly work with a scribe in the classroom. Please ensure the scribe rules are followed, which can be located in section 6.11.9 of the NAPLAN 2026 handbook for principals and NAPLAN coordinators.
Computer for writing (Year 3)
Closing date: 20 February 2026
Year 3 students who regularly use a word processor in the classroom as part of their adjustments may use a word processor for the writing test.
For students with temporary injuries, the use of a computer may be an appropriate adjustment for alternative format writing tests, including the Year 3 paper writing test.
Related information
Request accessible format of this publication.