For the third consecutive year, Victorian Year 3 students continue to lead the nation in both reading and numeracy. Photo: File.
Victorian Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll said the state’s students had again achieved outstanding NAPLAN results – leading the nation and recording improvements across a range of metrics.
Mr Carroll said the 2024 national data showed Victorian students leading the nation on a range of metrics, particularly in the primary years.
For the third consecutive year, Victorian Year 3 students continue to lead the nation in both reading and numeracy, the most important foundational skills.
Victoria achieved the first or second highest scores of all jurisdictions in seven out of eight measures in reading and writing and achieved the top results in the country for writing in Years 5, 7 and 9.
“Victorian primary school students continue to produce the best results in the country, ranking first or second in eight out of 10 domains – more than any other state or territory,” Mr Carroll said.
Victorian students in Years 3, 7, and 9 improved their 2023 reading results, reversing the national trend, which saw the average score for reading decline in Years 3, 5, and 7 and improve only in Year 9.
Victoria’s reading performance improved overall in 2024, with 5000 more students reaching the ‘exceeding’ proficiency level for reading across all year levels compared to 2023.
“Victoria’s NAPLAN results are no accident – they are the product of our record investment in schools and the efforts of our dedicated kids, teachers, principals, parents and carers,” Mr Carroll said.
“This year, we had the highest NAPLAN participation rates in 16 years, a testament to the hard work of Victorian school leaders in improving the engagement of our students in their learning.”
This year, Victoria’s NAPLAN participation rate was the highest it has been since the first year of testing in 2008. More than 95 per cent of students in Years 3, 5 and 7 sat the reading test, and more than 91 per cent sat the Year 9 reading test. In total, 311,000 Victorian students participated across Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in 2024.
Mr Carroll said, despite Victoria’s strong results, there was always room for improvement, with the introduction of the mandatory use of phonics in primary school from 2025 expected to further reduce the number of students who struggle with reading.
“While Victorian primary students lead the nation in numeracy, Years 7 and 9 students placed third – it’s why we’re investing more than $20 million to upskill maths teachers so they can become specialists and ensure students are learning from the best in the field,” he said.
“The Allan Labor Government delivered $3.1 billion in this year’s Budget to continue building the Education State – delivering great classrooms, great teachers and more individual support, helping make sure students have every opportunity to succeed.”
