NAPLAN Data Revealed: Why Australian Students Struggling With Writing — and How Are Schools Responding?

Manoj Arachige -

Table of Contents

What Do NAPLAN Results Tell Us About Writing in Australia?

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) has long been a benchmark for measuring student achievement across Australia. Recent analysis shows a worrying trend: writing scores have stagnated or declined, with many Year 9 students performing at levels expected of Year 4 students.

Experts have called this a "30-year policy failure," pointing to decades of inconsistent writing instruction and limited teacher training. AERO’s analysis of ten years of NAPLAN data revealed widespread gaps in punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure, suggesting that writing skills have not been systematically developed across the curriculum.

The implications are significant: writing is a critical skill for expressing knowledge, thinking critically, and achieving success in school and beyond. Poor writing proficiency not only affects English performance but can limit students’ understanding in science, maths, and other subjects that require written explanation.

Why Has Writing Declined Over Time?

Several factors have contributed to declining writing skills:

  1. Policy gaps: For many years, writing was not explicitly emphasized in the English syllabus, leaving schools without clear guidance.
  2. Teacher preparation: Many educators received little training in teaching writing across subjects, making it difficult to build literacy skills school-wide.
  3. Curriculum focus: Emphasis on standardised testing and other academic priorities sometimes left writing as a secondary concern.
  4. Digital shifts: Increased use of short-form communication, typing, and technology in students’ daily lives may also contribute to weaker formal writing skills.

Rebecca Birch, a Year 7 English teacher at Queenwood, describes writing as “an orphan capability” that was largely neglected until recent syllabus reforms.

What Are Schools Doing to Improve Writing — and Is It Enough?

The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), established by education ministers to develop evidence-based solutions, has piloted a groundbreaking approach: teaching writing across all subjects, not just English.

In trials across ten schools, teachers in science, maths, and even physical education were trained to integrate writing instruction into their lessons. Early results were promising: students not only improved in writing, but also demonstrated better memory and understanding in other subjects.

Ms Birch observed a marked increase in students performing in the highest bands for writing in NAPLAN, highlighting the effectiveness of cross-curricular literacy instruction.

Why Writing Remains Critical in an AI-Driven World

Even as AI tools become capable of drafting essays and reports in seconds, writing skills remain essential. According to education experts, students must understand language and communication deeply to critically engage with AI-generated content.

Alex Bacalja from the University of Melbourne explains: “While AI can assist with drafting, we risk developing a generation who are skilled at prompt creation but lack an understanding of how language works.”

Strong writing skills help students:

  • Organise and communicate complex ideas
  • Reinforce learning and memory
  • Engage critically with information, including AI-generated content

What Can Parents Do to Support Their Child’s Writing?

If you’ve noticed your child struggling with writing — whether it’s crafting essays, structuring arguments, or writing clearly under exam conditions — now is the time to act. Investing in personalised tutoring can give your child the skills and confidence to succeed, not just in school, but in life.

While schools are making progress, personalised support is often crucial. Tutoring provides targeted guidance that addresses individual weaknesses and builds confidence in writing.

Benefits of tutoring include:

  • Individualised feedback: Students receive direct guidance on grammar, structure, and clarity.
  • Cross-subject support: Writing practice improves learning in all areas of the curriculum.
  • Confidence and motivation: Regular progress helps students feel capable and engaged.

By supplementing classroom instruction with personalised tutoring, parents can help their children catch up and even excel in writing — a skill that will remain essential throughout school and into adulthood.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Writing in Australia

The rollout of cross-curricular writing resources is a promising step, but systemic improvement will take time. Parents and educators must work together to ensure students not only meet NAPLAN benchmarks but also develop the critical literacy skills they need for future success.

Investing in writing skills now — whether through schools or tutoring — equips students for academic achievement, effective communication, and lifelong learning.

FAQs

Why are NAPLAN writing results so low?

Decades of policy neglect, insufficient teacher training, and lack of cross-curricular focus have contributed to declining writing standards.

Is writing still important with AI tools?

Yes. Understanding language, structure, and argumentation is critical to critically engaging with AI-generated content.

Why are Australian students struggling with writing?

Many students find writing challenging because they aren’t getting consistent instruction across all subjects. Writing skills like grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and essay organisation need practice in multiple areas of learning, not just English. Historically, schools have not emphasised writing, and many teachers haven’t had the training to teach it effectively. Combined with the rise of short-form digital communication, students often have fewer opportunities to develop strong, formal writing skills.

What is the literacy crisis in Australia?

Australia is currently facing a literacy crisis. NAPLAN results show that many Year 9 students are performing at levels expected of primary-school children. Experts describe this as the result of decades of policy neglect, inconsistent teaching, and a lack of focus on writing skills across the curriculum. Literacy is foundational for learning across all subjects, so low proficiency can affect not just English, but science, maths, and even students’ confidence in learning overall.

What are the biggest issues in Australia's education?

Some of the key challenges include:

  • Policy gaps: Writing has not always been a focus in school syllabuses.
  • Teacher training: Many teachers feel underprepared to teach writing across subjects.
  • Equity: Students from disadvantaged backgrounds may have less support or access to resources.
  • Curriculum pressures: Standardised testing often prioritises numeracy and reading over writing.
  • Technology shifts: While digital tools and AI are useful, they can’t replace the critical thinking and communication skills developed through strong writing.