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Students, Parents and Carers

The OLNA enables students to successfully meet the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) requirement of demonstrating a minimum standard of literacy (reading and writing) and numeracy. The standard requires students to demonstrate proficiency in using a range of ACSF Level 3 skills in each component.

The following documents provide more information about the OLNA:

View All Compulsory sits

In Years 10, 11 and 12, students will have up to six opportunities (two per year) to sit the OLNA tests. For students who did not achieve Band 8 or higher in reading, writing and/or numeracy in Year 9 NAPLAN, it is compulsory to sit the tests of the corresponding components in Semester 1 of Year 10, Semester 2 of Year 10 and in Semester 1 of Year 11, unless the proficiency in using a range of ACSF Level 3 skills has been demonstrated (Category 3 on interim reports).

After Semester 1 of Year 11, students who have not demonstrated the standard in one or more may, in consultation with their school, choose in which round they will next sit these component's tests.

Can students postpone sitting OLNA?

Students with a language background other than English or temporary disability, illness or short-term impediment to performance may postpone sitting the OLNA tests.

Students with a language background other than English

Students who have arrived from overseas, have a language background other than English and have been attending school in Australia for less than one year before the OLNA testing window, must be given the opportunity to sit the OLNA tests to achieve a WACE. These students may choose to defer sitting the OLNA tests until either they have been in Australia for 12 months or have entered mainstream schooling from an Intensive English Centre.


Students who are absent or unwell can sit the OLNA tests on another day within the assessment period. Students who are absent for an extended time during the assessment period must sit the OLNA tests in the next round.

Disability adjustments

The Authority recognises that students with a diagnosed disability may require adjustments to the OLNA tests in instances where their disability, impairment, illness or impediment will significantly affect their access to the assessment. Information is available on the Disability adjustments page.


On completion of Year 12, the Authority reports on student achievement of the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy through the Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement (WASSA). For each of their students, schools can access interim reports that identify the categories of achievement (see below) for each component. The Authority advises parents and students not to interpret interim feedback in terms of pass or fail, but as indicators of the following:

The following table provides a quick guide to each category and possible enrolment path. *While students who achieve Category 3 are required to enrol in either General or ATAR courses, exemptions to enrol in or continue to enrol in Foundation courses may be permitted with approval from the Authority. See the WACE manual for details.

Foundation courses

Foundation courses are designed for students who have not demonstrated the minimum standard in literacy and numeracy.

Foundation courses are divided into List A courses and List B courses.

List A courses
There are three List A courses:

List B courses

There are three List B courses:

Note: Specific eligibility requirements for List A and List B courses are available through schools, or the WACE Manual.

Home-educated students

Home-educated students can access the OLNA tests at either:


Home educators are required to negotiate with the school of their choice to identify a suitable date and time.

Authority’s offices

The Authority provides opportunities to sit the OLNA at set dates and times. The Authority’s offices are located at 303 Sevenoaks St, Cannington.

Site with a supervisor approved by the Authority

Home educated students may sit the OLNA tests at a site other than a school or the Authority’s offices as long as it can be guaranteed that the site has a supervisor approved by the Authority and that travel to the Authority’s offices would be unreasonable. A Supervisor application form must be completed before approval can be considered.


All home-educated students must notify the OLNA helpdesk of their arrangements so that access to the OLNA tests can be provided to the relevant approved supervisor.

Compulsory sits

Where home-educated students subsequently enrol in a registered school, and have neither prequalified through their NAPLAN Year 9 performance nor demonstrated the minimum standard of literacy and/or numeracy through the OLNA tests, they must sit the OLNA tests at the first opportunity after their enrolment in the registered school.


Information for students preparing to enter senior secondary schooling

The Authority provides a range of resources to assist students to develop their literacy and numeracy skills.


Contact the OLNA helpdesk at email@example.com or (08) 9273 6726.

