NAPLAN Results: Best Public Schools in Chinese-Friendly Suburbs 2025

Overview

For families settling in New South Wales, understanding how public schools perform is critical — and two key data points tell the story. NAPLAN (National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy) tests every student in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9, providing an early checkpoint on reading, writing, numeracy, and language conventions. The HSC (Higher School Certificate), sat in Year 12, determines university entry via the ATAR. Together, these assessments reveal which government schools in Chinese-friendly suburbs deliver consistent academic results from primary through to senior secondary.

Across NSW, suburbs with significant Chinese-Australian populations — from Eastwood (48.8% Chinese) to Strathfield (21.7% Chinese) — are home to some of the state's strongest public schools. AU Guide tracks over 800 NSW schools with complete HSC data and AU Guide Scores. This article connects the dots between NAPLAN foundations and HSC outcomes, helping families choose suburbs where public education truly delivers. Explore the full NSW School Rankings for detailed comparisons.

Background & Context

What Is NAPLAN?

NAPLAN is Australia's national standardised assessment, administered by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). Since 2008, every student in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 sits NAPLAN tests in four domains:

• Reading — comprehension of written texts
• Writing — extended written response
• Numeracy — mathematical reasoning and problem-solving
• Conventions of Language — spelling, grammar, and punctuation (replaced the former "Language Conventions" category in 2023)

Since 2023, NAPLAN has moved online and shifted from a May testing window to March, with results reported against four proficiency levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing, and Needs Additional Support. Schools where a high percentage of students achieve "Exceeding" or "Strong" typically maintain that momentum through to Year 12.

Why NAPLAN Matters for School Choice

NAPLAN results are publicly available on the My School website, making them one of the most transparent measures of school performance. For families evaluating suburbs, NAPLAN data reveals:

• Consistency — whether a school performs well across all year levels, not just at one stage
• Growth — whether students improve between Year 3 and Year 5, or Year 7 and Year 9
• Peer effect — schools with high NAPLAN averages tend to have a culture of academic achievement that benefits all students

The NAPLAN-to-HSC Pipeline

Research from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and academic studies consistently shows a strong correlation between NAPLAN performance in Year 9 and HSC outcomes in Year 12. Students who achieve "Exceeding" in Year 9 NAPLAN are significantly more likely to score Band 6 (90+) in HSC subjects. This is why examining HSC Distinguished Achiever (DA) counts — students scoring 90 or above in at least one subject — provides a reliable proxy for the academic culture that begins with strong NAPLAN foundations.

The 2025 HSC data from NESA confirms that government schools in Chinese-friendly suburbs consistently produce high DA counts, reflecting a student body that has been performing well since primary school NAPLAN assessments.

How It Works: Top Public Schools in Chinese-Friendly Suburbs

The following analysis focuses on government (public) schools located in NSW suburbs with the highest Chinese-Australian populations. We use 2025 HSC Distinguished Achiever counts as the measurable outcome indicator, which reflects the academic pipeline that starts with strong NAPLAN performance in earlier years.

Top Chinese-Friendly Suburbs and Their Demographics

Source: ABS Census 2021, Chinese ancestry (single + multiple responses). Suburbs ordered by Chinese population percentage.

Top Government Schools by 2025 HSC Performance

The table below ranks the best-performing government schools located in or serving these Chinese-friendly suburbs, based on 2025 HSC Distinguished Achiever (DA) counts — the number of students who scored 90 or above in at least one subject.

Source: NESA 2025 HSC data. AU Guide Score is a composite rating based on Distinguished Achievers, All-Round Achievers, and Top Achievers — see scoring methodology. "—" indicates score not yet calculated.

School-by-School Analysis

1. Carlingford High School — 219 DAs, Score 82.38

Carlingford High School is a coeducational government school in Carlingford, a suburb where 40.6% of the population (11,395 residents) identifies as Chinese-Australian. With 219 Distinguished Achievers in the 2025 HSC, it ranks among the top public schools in all of NSW — not just within Chinese-friendly areas. Its AU Guide Score of 82.38/100 reflects consistently strong performance across multiple metrics.

Carlingford is well-served by public transport, with bus connections to Parramatta and Epping stations. The suburb's strong academic culture means local primary schools also tend to perform well in NAPLAN, creating a feeder pipeline of well-prepared students entering Year 7.

2. Epping Boys High School — 218 DAs, Score 81.73

Epping Boys High School is located in Eastwood, the suburb with the highest Chinese population percentage in NSW at 48.8%. Despite being a single-sex boys' school, its 218 Distinguished Achievers nearly match Carlingford High. Its AU Guide Score of 81.73/100 places it firmly in the top tier of government schools statewide.

The school draws students from across the Eastwood-Epping corridor, an area where Epping (40.4% Chinese, population 29,551) provides additional catchment depth. Families in this area benefit from excellent Metro rail connections and a thriving Asian retail and dining precinct.

3. Killara High School — 192 DAs

Killara High School is a coeducational government school in Killara, where 31.1% of the population is Chinese-Australian. With 192 Distinguished Achievers, it demonstrates that the Upper North Shore's academic reputation extends well into the public school system, not just its well-known private schools.

Killara's proximity to Gordon (34.5% Chinese) and East Killara (46.7% Chinese) means the school serves a catchment with a strong concentration of Chinese-Australian families who prioritise education.

4. Strathfield Girls High School — 151 DAs

Strathfield Girls High School is a single-sex government school in Strathfield. While Strathfield's Chinese population of 21.7% (5,635 residents) is lower than the northern suburbs, the total population of 25,915 makes it one of the larger communities on this list. With 151 Distinguished Achievers, the school demonstrates strong outcomes for a girls-only government school.

Strathfield's central location — with a major train station providing direct access to Sydney CBD, Parramatta, and beyond — makes it attractive for working families. The suburb's multicultural character, with significant Korean and other East Asian communities alongside the Chinese population, creates a diverse academic environment.

5. Cumberland High School — 49 DAs

Cumberland High School is a coeducational government school also located in Carlingford. While its 49 Distinguished Achievers represent a significantly smaller count than Carlingford High, it remains a solid option for families in the area. The school serves a different catchment zone within Carlingford and offers an alternative coeducational pathway.

Understanding NAPLAN's Role in These Results

The HSC outcomes listed above do not appear in isolation. Schools that consistently produce high DA counts typically show strong NAPLAN results in their Year 7 and Year 9 cohorts. This is because:

• Strong NAPLAN literacy scores predict success in HSC English (mandatory for all students)
• Strong NAPLAN numeracy scores correlate with HSC Mathematics performance, particularly in Extension 1 and Extension 2
• Consistent growth between Year 7 and Year 9 NAPLAN indicates effective teaching that continues into senior years

Parents can check individual school NAPLAN results on the My School website (run by ACARA) and compare them against the HSC data available on AU Guide's NSW School Rankings.

What This Means for Families

Step 1: Use NAPLAN as Your First Filter

Before committing to a suburb, check NAPLAN results for local primary and high schools on My School. Look for schools where the majority of students sit in the "Strong" or "Exceeding" proficiency bands. This gives you confidence that the academic culture is established early — before HSC becomes relevant.

Step 2: Cross-Reference with HSC Data

Visit AU Guide's NSW School Rankings to see how local high schools perform in the HSC. Focus on:

• Distinguished Achievers (DA) count — the number of Band 6 results (score 90+)
• AU Guide Score — our composite rating that weighs DAs, All-Round Achievers, and Top Achievers
• School type — consider whether coeducational, boys', or girls' schools suit your child

Step 3: Evaluate the Suburb Holistically

Academic results are one factor. Use AU Guide's suburb profiles to check:

• Safety — crime rates and safety rankings (NSW average: 6,635 incidents per 100,000 population)
• Community — Chinese population percentage and total community size
• Transport — commute times and train station access
• Property — median house and unit prices to assess affordability

Step 4: Visit During School Hours

Data tells part of the story. Visit your shortlisted suburbs during school hours to observe the school environment, talk to local parents, and assess whether the community feels right for your family. Many schools hold open days in Term 1 and Term 2 each year.

Step 5: Understand Catchment Zones

NSW government schools operate on catchment zones — your child's guaranteed enrolment depends on your residential address. Before purchasing or renting, confirm that your address falls within the catchment of your target school. Catchment maps are available on the NSW School Finder website.

FAQ

What is NAPLAN and when is it held?

NAPLAN (National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy) is a national standardised test for all Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. Since 2023, it is held in March each year (previously May) and is conducted online. It assesses reading, writing, numeracy, and conventions of language. Results are reported against four proficiency levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing, and Needs Additional Support.

How does NAPLAN performance relate to HSC results?

Research consistently shows a strong correlation between Year 9 NAPLAN performance and Year 12 HSC outcomes. Students who achieve "Exceeding" in NAPLAN are significantly more likely to score Band 6 (90+) in HSC subjects. Schools with strong NAPLAN profiles in Years 7 and 9 tend to produce higher numbers of Distinguished Achievers in the HSC, indicating a sustained academic culture from junior secondary through to graduation.

Which public school in a Chinese-friendly suburb has the most Distinguished Achievers?

Based on 2025 HSC data, Carlingford High School in Carlingford (40.6% Chinese population) leads with 219 Distinguished Achievers and an AU Guide Score of 82.38/100. Epping Boys High School in Eastwood (48.8% Chinese population) is a close second with 218 DAs and a score of 81.73/100.

Are selective schools included in this analysis?

No. This article focuses exclusively on comprehensive government (public) schools — the schools available to all families living within their catchment zones. Selective schools (such as James Ruse Agricultural High School or North Sydney Boys High School) require a separate entrance exam and are not tied to residential location. For selective school information, see our guide on NSW Selective School Entry.

What is the AU Guide Score and how is it calculated?

The AU Guide Score is a composite rating out of 100 that evaluates school performance based on three HSC metrics: Distinguished Achievers (students scoring 90+ in at least one subject), All-Round Achievers (students scoring 90+ in 10 or more units), and Top Achievers (students placing in the state's top performers for individual subjects). The full methodology is available at AU Guide's scoring method page.

How can I check NAPLAN results for a specific school?

Individual school NAPLAN results are published on the My School website, managed by ACARA. Search for any school by name to see NAPLAN results by year level and domain, along with comparison data against similar schools and the national average.

Does a high Chinese population percentage guarantee good school results?

Not automatically, but there is a notable pattern. Suburbs with significant Chinese-Australian populations often have a strong culture of educational investment, which contributes to higher academic outcomes in local schools. However, school quality depends on many factors including teaching quality, resources, leadership, and the broader community. Always check specific school data rather than relying solely on suburb demographics.

What should I look for when comparing NAPLAN results between schools?

Focus on three things: (1) the percentage of students in the "Exceeding" and "Strong" bands — higher is better; (2) growth between testing years (e.g., Year 3 to Year 5, or Year 7 to Year 9) — this shows teaching effectiveness; and (3) comparison against "similar schools" (schools with similar student demographics) — a school that outperforms its similar school average is adding significant value.

References

• Australian Bureau of Statistics — Census 2021
• NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) — 2025 HSC Data
• Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) — NAPLAN
• My School — Individual School NAPLAN Results
• AU Guide — NSW School Rankings