As students gear up for NAPLAN, fresh research from the University of South Australia is turning attention to a crucial factor beyond academic preparation—wellbeing.
A study of over 215,000 students has revealed that learning readiness, which encompasses perseverance, confidence, and engagement, plays a key role in academic performance. The research, drawing from the South Australian Wellbeing and Engagement Collection, analysed student wellbeing alongside their results in NAPLAN and PAT tests between 2016 and 2019.
Dr Rebecca Marrone from UniSA explains that student wellbeing is often sidelined in favour of standardised test results, despite its influence on academic outcomes.
“Wellbeing affects how students learn, how they manage challenges, and how motivated they are to succeed. Learning readiness isn’t just about knowing the material—it’s about having the focus, resilience, and self-belief to apply that knowledge effectively,” Dr Marrone says.
UniSA researcher Benjamin Lam echoes this sentiment, emphasising that schools should view student wellbeing as an integral part of education rather than a secondary concern.
“When students are mentally and emotionally healthy, they’re more likely to be engaged and motivated. But there’s no one-size-fits-all equation—high achievement doesn’t automatically mean high wellbeing, and vice versa. Schools need to move beyond test scores and focus on individual support strategies,” Lam says.
The research suggests incorporating learner profiles that track wellbeing and engagement alongside traditional grades, allowing educators to tailor their approach to each student’s needs. With a growing focus on mental health in education, South Australia has invested $50 million to place 100 mental health and learning support specialists in schools.
Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Blair Boyer, says the investment is designed to help students thrive academically by prioritising their mental health.
“If a student is struggling with their mental health, their ability to focus on schoolwork and maintain social connections suffers. This research confirms that prioritising wellbeing in public education supports academic success,” Boyer says.
As NAPLAN approaches, this study serves as a timely reminder—academic performance isn’t just about knowledge but about mindset, confidence, and readiness to learn.
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