FAQs for Markers New to NSW NAPLAN Marking

Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time applying to mark NSW NAPLAN with Pearson, we hope you'll find the answers to your questions here.

Pearson recruits new markers each year and welcomes applications from student teachers, current teachers and retired teachers.

New markers are generally required to attend training in person at either the Canberra, Newcastle or Sydney Marking Centre at Canterbury Park Racecourse. Live marking can then be undertaken either from a Marking Centre or from home, depending on the role and individual circumstances. ​

What to know about NSW NAPLAN marking

Availability

Markers are required to complete all training prior to live marking and be available for the full marking period. Live marking typically runs for 4-6 weeks, during which markers are expected to be available for six days per week during the entire marking period.

There will be no marking during the Easter public holidays.

Marking must be undertaken within Australia and applicants should discuss any planned travel or availability constraints with the recruitment team during the application process. This includes school camps and other commitments that will take you away from reliable internet access or otherwise disrupt your regular commitment to marking. If we are not notified of periods when you are unable to meet the requirements of the role, you may be withdrawn from marking. 

Support

New markers are supported by experienced markers, Group Leaders and Pearson staff throughout the marking operation. Training is provided before live marking commences, with ongoing support available during the marking period.

General

Find out more about how NSW NAPLAN is supported by Pearson

When will marking conclude?

Marking generally runs for approximately four to six weeks. We are unable to provide a fixed end date as we complete marking once all scripts in the system have been marked. You will be notified of a completion date closer to the end of the marking operation.

Do I need to be available for the entire marking period?

Yes, if you are offered a role to mark NSW NAPLAN 2027 we will need you to be available during the entire marking period. We work hard to ensure all exams are marked promptly and the results are shared back with NESA and the schools as quickly as possible.

Am I able to travel overseas and continue marking on my trip?

No, all marking must be completed within Australia. Our platforms are geolocked and you will not be able to access the live marking if you're outside the country. International travel may make you ineligible to mark NSW NAPLAN: please discuss any travel plans with our team during your phone interview.

Recruitment

Find out more about the application and recruitment process.

How do I apply for NAPLAN Marking?

Click here to apply for NSW NAPLAN Marking. We will be accepting applications until 27 January 2027. After this time, you can Contact Us to apply for the reserve list of markers for 2027, or express interest in marking in 2028.

What qualifications do I need to be eligible to mark?

You need to have a teaching degree specialising in English or be in your final year of studying a relevant teaching degree. It is also helpful to have experience teaching English in an Australian Primary or Secondary School for at least one year, or hold NESA Conditional or Provisional Accreditation. Relevant and recent marking experience is also taken into consideration. Current and retired English teachers are encouraged to apply.
Markers will also need to successfully complete one of these NESA courses prior to attending training:

Assessing writing using the NAPLAN writing marking guide – narrative
OR
Assessing writing using the NAPLAN writing marking guide – persuasive

See our FAQ section on NSW Courses for more information.

What is the recruitment process?

Our recruitment process has four main steps:
1. Submission of your application - Your application will be reviewed by our recruitment team to assess your eligibility based on the requirements of the role.
2. Phone screening - If you are successful in the initial review of your submitted application, we will advance you on to phone screening where we will conduct a one-on-one phone interview with you. We will make a second assessment of your application based on the information provided during the phone screening stage.
3. Notification of application outcome - Once we have reviewed your entire application, we will advise you of the outcome of your application (successful/unsuccessful) via email.
4. Employment contract - If successful, you will receive the employment contract as well as new hire documentation for you to complete. You will need to accept and complete all paperwork and return them as soon as possible to enable us to set you up in our payroll system. You will also need to complete and bring along your Right to Work in Australia form and appropriate identification (i.e. passport) with you on the first day of training at your allocated training centre.

You will then complete training with both Pearson and NESA before you begin live marking.
Please see our FAQs on NESA Courses and Training for more information.

Who is eligible to apply?

You can read our Centre-Based Marker and Home-Based Marker job descriptions to see if you are eligible for the role. Retired teachers and students nearing completion to their degree are welcome to apply.

When will I find out if my application has been successful?

Main applications will close on 27 January 2027. Applicants will be notified via email by 28 February 2027 of the outcome of their application.

I don't know my login details (my username and/or password) to the recruitment portal - what should I do?

Click here to reset your password for our recruitment portal: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25297&siteid=5450#ForgotUsernamePassword

Or you can Contact Us: naplanmarking@pearson.com

I do not have a NESA accreditation number. Can I still apply for NAPLAN marking?

If you do not have a NESA accreditation number, please enter "N/A" in the NESA accreditation field. This may apply to retired teachers, student teachers and some ACT-based applicants. Current NSW teachers are generally expected to provide a NESA accreditation number.

If I'm unsuccessful this year, can I apply again next year?

Yes you are welcome to reapply even if you have applied to mark in the past and been unsuccessful. Each year our requirements may differ and each year we run a fresh recruitment process.

NESA Courses

To be eligible to mark NSW NAPLAN, new markers must complete one of the following NESA Learning courses:

  • Assessing writing using the NAPLAN writing marking guide – Narrative
  • Assessing writing using the NAPLAN writing marking guide – Persuasive

Information on accessing the course and eligibility requirements is provided below.

I am currently a teacher: how do I access the NESA NAPLAN Writing course?

Visit: https://lms.nesa.nsw.edu.au/NesaHub/Login
Login with your school email address to access the NESA Hub Learning Management System.

For help logging into this platform and completing the NAPLAN Writing Course, please contact NESA directly:

Phone: 1300 739 338
Email: contactus@nesa.nsw.edu.au

Once you have completed the course in full, please send a copy of your certificate of completion to Pearson: naplanmarking@pearson.com

I'm not currently teaching (I'm retired, or a student-teacher): how do I access the NESA NAPLAN Writing course?

If you know your login for the NESA Learning Hub, you can login now: https://learning.nesa.nsw.edu.au/login/canvas

If you don't know your login for the NESA Learning Hub:
1. Email the NESA NAPLAN team: naplan.nsw@nesa.nsw.edu.au
2. Subject: New NAPLAN marker LMS access
3. Provide the following details:
- Outline the reason: I am a new NAPLAN marker and need to login to the Learning Hub to complete my NAPLAN Writing Course training. Please organise my access to the NESA LMS.
- your email address
- first name
- last name
4. You will receive a confirmation email from NESA Learning with instructions for logging on to the platform.

To access the course:
- Log into NESA Learning: https://lms.nesa.nsw.edu.au/
- Select 'Hub'
- Search for 'Assessing writing using the NAPLAN marking guide'
- Select either narrative or persuasive

Once you have completed the course in full, please send a copy of your certificate of completion to Pearson: naplanmarking@pearson.com

How many accredited professional development hours am I eligible to receive for completion of a NESA Learning writing course?

The time spent on the training course is counted as part of your professional development. For more information, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/teacher-accreditation/maintain-accreditation/professional-development-requirements

Only the NESA Learning writing courses, Assessing writing using the NAPLAN marking guide, persuasive or narrative, will automatically be reflected in your eTAMS Professional Development Log. For further details on Teacher accreditation please refer to https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/teacher-accreditation .

When do I need to complete the NESA NAPLAN Writing Course?

You can complete the NAPLAN Writing Course at any time during the recruitment process. We ask all markers to complete the NESA NAPLAN Writing course by 26 February 2027. Markers will not be able to access live marking until Pearson receives a copy of your certificate of completion for this course.

You may prefer to wait to complete the course until you receive an offer of employment as a marker for 2027, or you may prefer to complete the course early. Please note that completing the course early does not guarantee that an offer of employment will be made.

You will not be compensated by Pearson for the time spent on this course. NESA will accrue the time spent against your PD requirements to support your ongoing teaching accreditation.

I am having difficulties accessing the NESA NAPLAN Writing Course, who should I contact for assistance?

Please direct your queries regarding the NESA Assessing writing using the NAPLAN marking guide course to the NESA NAPLAN team.
Email: naplan.nsw@nesa.nsw.edu.au
Telephone: (02) 9367 8382

Centre-based marking

If you would like to work from our Sydney Marking and Training Centre, you'll be required to attend the marking centre in-person 6 days a week during the live marking period. If you need more flexibility with your working hours, home-marking may be a better fit for you.

What are the working hours and shift times for centre-based markers during the live marking period?

Centre-based markers work Monday-Friday every week during live marking, and also work either Saturday or Sunday each week. 

You can choose to work either Mornings or Evenings, and you can choose which weekend shift works best for you as well.
We all take a break over the Easter holidays.

The shifts for centre-based markers are: 

Weekday Morning Shift:
8AM - 3PM Monday to Friday, plus one nominated weekend shift 

Weekday Evening Shift:
4PM - 8:45PM Monday to Friday, plus one nominated weekend shift

Weekend Shift:
8AM - 3PM Saturday or Sunday (in addition to your scheduled weekday shift) 

Note: Marking shift dates and times may be subject to change

Where is the Sydney Training and Marking Centre?

The Sydney Marking and Training Centre is located at:
Canterbury Park Racecourse
King Street
Canterbury, NSW 2193

Will parking be available at the venue?

Yes, parking at the Racecourse is available at no cost. Please do not park at the front of the building as that is reserved parking.

What are the break times for centre-based marking?

Centre-Based Marking (Sydney)
Morning Shift
30 minute lunch break
15 minute tea break

Evening Shift
30 minute dinner break

Can I change from being a centre-based marker to marking from home?

Yes we can usually accommodate changes like this. Please Contact Us to discuss your options: naplanmarking@pearson.com

Home Marking

Home marking offers a lot of flexibility: home markers are asked to be online for live marking 6 days per week, for a minimum of 4 hours per day.

You will be required to be online for one of the following mandatory marking times each day:

  • 8:00am - 10:00am OR
  • 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Otherwise, you will be able to set your own working hours throughout the day, any time between 8:00am - 10:00pm, whenever suits you best. Group leaders and technical support will be available all day. 

Home markers will need to have their own computer, a reliable internet connection, and private workspace. 

Can I mark from home?

Yes, as a marker new to NSW NAPLAN Marking you can choose to mark from home. You will still be asked to attend our Marking and Training Centre in-person for one training session: if you're based in regional NSW or the ACT, and are unable to attend the in-person training, you're still invited to apply for a marking role. Please discuss your options with our recruitment team during your phone interview.

Am I able to travel overseas and continue marking on my trip?

No, all marking must be completed within Australia. Our platforms are geolocked and you will not be able to access the live marking if you're outside the country. International travel may make you ineligible to mark NSW NAPLAN: please discuss any travel plans with our team during your phone interview.

I live in the ACT. Can I apply for marking in NSW?

Yes, we encourage you to apply for a home-marking role if you live in the ACT. Our recruitment team will work with ACT markers to deliver training remotely.

Do I need to attend any in-person training?

Yes, all markers new to NSW NAPLAN Marking will be expected to attend one in-person training session at our Sydney Marking Centre, in Canterbury. If you're unable to attend training in-person, please discuss your options with our team during your phone interview.

Can I change from being a home-marker to a centre-based marker?

Yes we're happy to welcome you to our Marking and Training Centre. If you'd like to change from being home-based to work from our Centre, please Contact Us: naplanmarking@pearson.com

Will I be reimbursed for my internet usage or home office expenses?

Home-based markers are responsible for providing their own internet connection and home office setup. Pearson does not reimburse internet usage or home office expenses.

Training

In 2027, NAPLAN training consists of three parts:

  • online modules: completed at home, at your own pace, within the training week.
  • workshop with Pearson staff: markers new to NSW NAPLAN Marking will need to attend this workshop in-person.
  • practical marking practice: completed online in our marking platform. You can complete this training either in-person or from your home.

Please refer to the Calendar section of this website for the detailed training schedule. Your own personalised training schedule will also be shared with you via email.

Training will take the equivalent of up to two days, beginning the week of 8 March 2027. 

Where do I attend in-person training?

Markers new to NSW NAPLAN Marking will be required to attend one in-person training workshop at our Sydney Marking and Training Centre.
The Sydney Marking and Training Centre is located at: 
Canterbury Park Racecourse
King Street
Canterbury, NSW 2193

If you're unable to attend in person, please discuss your options with our recruitment team during your phone interview, or contact us: <link>

Will I be paid for attending training?

Yes. Please refer to the 'Pay' section in this FAQ for more details on how training is paid.

I can't attend the training workshop in person, can I still apply?

Yes you can still apply - our recruitment team will discuss options for you to complete your training remotely during your phone interview. 

Pay

Find out more about the pay rates for marking roles, timesheeting and the pay schedule.

What are the pay rates for live marking?

The current pay rates for NAPLAN 2027 are detailed below:

Centre-based marker: $57.69 per hour
Home-based marker: $5.70 per script, $1.00 per blank script (live marking); $57.69 per hour (training)
Group Leader: $69.37 per hour
Professional Leader: $82.77 per hour

Will I be paid for attending training?

Yes, you will be paid at the hourly rate that applies to your role. 

Am I paid for breaks?

Centre-based markers will be paid for their morning tea break on the morning shift. Lunch and Dinner breaks are not paid.

Home-based markers are paid per script that is marked, and will not be paid for breaks during live marking.

Do I need to keep a timesheet?

Centre-based markers will need to keep a timesheet. Pearson will provide timesheeting software for you to use to track your hours.
Home-based markers will not need to keep a timesheet. Our marking platform will automatically calculate the scripts you have marked and you will be paid accordingly.

I do not have my login details for the payroll portal, ADP. Who should I contact?

Your login details for our payroll portal, ADP, will be emailed to you once marking begins.
If you need help locating your ADP login details please Contact Us:

When is the pay date?

Payments are made on a fortnightly basis; the first fortnightly payment will be on 25 March 2027. If you are new to Pearson, then we will need to have received all your completed new hire documents before training to be included in the first fortnightly pay cycle.

My payroll question isn't answered here, where can I get more information?

Please check out this page for even more payroll information: Casual Staff FAQ | Naplan Marking

Quick Links
Home

www.pearsonra.com.au

Apply Now

Applications are now open for marking roles in 2027. Both new and returning markers and leaders are encouraged to click here: Apply Now

2027 Marking Dates

Calendars of key dates and milestones for all marking roles will be added to this website once the 2027 schedule is finalised. Please check back here once recruitment opens to access these calendars.

 

FAQs

Are you new to marking with Pearson? Click here to see our FAQs for Markers New to NSW NAPLAN Marking: https://pearsonra.com.au/newmarkers

Have you marked with Pearson before? Click here to see our FAQs for Returning Markers and Leaders:
https://pearsonra.com.au/returningmarkers

Document Hub

Click here to access job descriptions, onboarding paperwork, technical specs and other key documents for a NSW NAPLAN marking role: www.pearsonra.com.au/documents

Technical Support

Click here for technical support with all our digital tools and platforms, including eMark: www.pearsonra.com.au/technicalsupport

Contact Us

Click here to contact our team: www.pearsonra.com.au/contactus