About the NPSS
The NSW Public Schools Surveys (NPSS) is a new suite of surveys designed to gather insights from students, parents and school staff about their experiences at school. Insights from the NPSS help school leaders understand what’s working well and where improvements can be made. The student survey launched in 2025, with the parent and school staff surveys following in 2026.
The NSW Public Schools Surveys (NPSS) are an annual suite of surveys that collect consistent, evidence-based insights into students’, parents and school staff experiences in NSW public schools. Together, the surveys focus on key measures known to drive positive student outcomes.
The NPSS Student Survey launched in 2025 and the Parent and School Staff Surveys were launched in 2026. Prior to 2025, schools participated in the Tell Them From Me student, parent and teacher survey administered by The Learning Bar.
The NPSS was developed by the department with new questions designed to reflect the specific and evolving needs of our schools, in alignment with Our Plan for NSW Public Education.
The NPSS will continue to cover the key themes in the previous surveys, but results will not be directly comparable to data collected in schools previously.
It will take 2 years for schools to form a baseline of data for each of the measures in the NPSS surveys.
The department is committed to ensuring that every student has a voice in their learning and is known, valued and cared for at their school. The NPSS Student Survey supports these goals by helping schools collect valuable data from their students on their engagement, learning experiences and wellbeing at school.
The surveys allow schools to gain insights into what’s working well and where improvements can be made. Schools can use their results for planning and improvement processes, focusing on areas such as explicit teaching and sense of belonging.
The department uses data from the survey to inform policies and practices designed to improve student engagement, learning experiences and wellbeing in NSW public schools. This data builds a strong evidence base that supports What Works Best, the School Excellence Framework and Our Plan for NSW Public Education.
Additionally, the department conducts research using de-identified NSW data to gain insights into our own system, supported by the national and international evidence base.
The NSW Public Schools Surveys are a suite of student, parent and school staff surveys designed to gather insights on engagement, learning experiences and wellbeing at school.
The surveys have been built from the ground up through feedback from student groups, teachers, support staff and school leaders.
They provide a voice for students, parents and school staff on their experiences in public schools.
Offered to all NSW public schools with students enrolled from year 3 to year 12, the surveys ask questions relevant to life at school.
They give students a voice on areas such as sense of belonging, teaching practices and key transition points as students move from primary to high school and beyond.
Parents can share their unique perspectives on their child’s education. While teachers and support staff can provide insights on how their school supports student’s learning and wellbeing.
The surveys are a key tool to support Our Plan for NSW Public Education. Especially our commitment that “Every student learns, grows and belongs in an equitable and outstanding education system.”
Schools across NSW can use the surveys to guide school planning and decision making. The results are important to help schools understand what’s working well and where improvements can be made.
We encourage participation so that all students, parents and school staff can have a voice on their public school experience.
Further information can be accessed on the department’s webpages, Viva Engage and the Staff Noticeboard.
Contact schoolsurveys.admin@det.nsw.edu.au for more information.