Federal Budget 2026: More than $18 million in funding to prevent NAPLAN tech fails
The Albanese Government will provide $18.2 million over four years to prevent technology failures from marring NAPLAN tests
The Albanese Government will provide $18.2 million over four years to prevent technology failures from marring NAPLAN tests, underlining its reliance on the annual national literacy and numeracy computer-based assessments for school students.
Budget documents reveal the Government will deliver the funding as part of its 50 per cent contribution to the ongoing hosting and maintenance of the existing online NAPLAN platform.
“This will ensure essential NAPLAN data can be collected, and students and schools are not disrupted by failing technology,” the Budget said.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The funds are included in a total $57.3 billion allocated to education for 2026-27.
Budget papers show total education expenses are estimated to increase by 11.5 per cent over the next four years, partly driven by an increase in the number of students with a disability eligible for higher funding levels.
The Government claims it will achieve savings of $472.1 million over four years by increasing compliance measures to ensure funding for students with disability is directed based on need and introducing controls to reduce inaccurate claiming.
Payments related to private schools were expected to increase by $2.3 billion by 2029-30, reflecting an increase in non-government school enrolments.
Funding will continue to flow for consent and relationship education in public and private schools, with $1 million to be delivered to WA schools this year.
Under the preschool reform agreement, WA will receive $57.1 million in the next financial year for continued access to 600 hours a year of preschool for children in the year before they start school.
