Year 3 Maths Curriculum

Everything you need to know about the Year 3 maths curriculum.

Author
Robyn Oliver

Published
September 2025

Key Takeaways

Students in Year 3 will be preparing to sit the NAPLAN tests for the first time!

Children in Year 3 maths will be learning practical life skills!
To support your child on their maths journey, focus on a healthy routine!

Table of contents

Year 3 is the first year in what is known as upper primary school. This refers to the fact that a Year 3 child is no longer in the early childhood program (Kindergarten to Year 2) and the learning requirements have progressed from learning through a mix of play-based learning and structured learning, to a more academic focus. Year 3 students are becoming more independent in their learning and are usually settled within their school environment. With the independence and structured learning comes the assessments, students in Year 3 Maths will be preparing to sit the NAPLAN tests for the first time!

What’s Covered in the Year 3 Maths Curriculum?

The Year 3 maths Australian Curriculum is made up of three strands: Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. Each of these strands is further divided into multiple sub-strands.

Throughout Year 3 maths, your child will be introduced to the following sub-strands of the curriculum:

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Number

Learning to recognise, represent and order numbers, using numerals and word form for numbers to and beyond 10,000.

Learning to recognise and use fractions in different ways, for example, a child may be asked to colour ⅔ of a rectangle.

Learning to add and subtract two and three-digit numbers using maths rules and tools such as place value and regrouping.

How to use multiplication and division to solve one and two-digit word problems using a variety of strategies and tools.

Learning how to solve addition and subtraction word problems using their existing knowledge of maths tools and rules!

How to demonstrate their estimation skills when exploring quantity, for example, “how many lollies are in the jar?”.

Learning how to use an algorithm, which means a set of rules to investigate numbers and discover patterns! For example, the algorithm is + four then – two.

Algebra

Discovering how to find an unknown value in an addition or subtraction problem.

Recalling multiplication and division rules to assist with solving number problems up to 20 without using a calculator.

Recalling multiplication facts for the three times, four times, five times, and ten times tables and using these rules to explore division of the same numbers.

Measurement

Learning the conversion rules for seconds, minutes, hours, and days, and using these conversions to help solve word problems!

Learning how to use an analogue clock to measure the time to the nearest minute.

Exploring the differences between dollars and cents and using this knowledge to explore word problems.

Learning how to use measurement to explore length, mass, capacity, and duration.

Recalling rules and units for using measurement tools, for example, using rulers or tape measures to measure length, using weighing scales to measure mass, and using measuring jugs to measure capacity!

Learning how to recognise right angles in the environment.

Tip! If your child is struggling with the concept of right angles, grab an A4 piece of paper and fold it neatly in half once and then in half again, and draw a small square in the folded corner! You’ve created a right angle! Use your paper to test out right angles in your home!

Space (Geometry)

Continuing to develop their knowledge of 2-D and 3-D shapes. Identifying properties of these shapes, such as the number of sides, and whether the shape has right angles.

Exploring mapping skills with simple directions and sequences.

Statistics

Gathering and making use of data in a variety of ways, for example, using pictographs or column graphs. Year 3 students will be expected to compare multiple pieces of data and solve problems such as “What is the difference between the number of students who ate strawberries in the morning and the number of students who ate apples?”.

Learning to explore data software, using their prior knowledge of data collection and graphing.

Probability

Predicting the likelihood of written events happening, following the probability scale:
- Impossible: Will never happen.
- Unlikely: Probably won’t happen, but it could.
- Even chance: Just as likely to happen as it is not to happen.
- Likely: Probably will happen.
- Certain: Will definitely happen.

Estimating and carrying out probability experiments.

Year 3 Maths Resources

Access Year 3 maths resources and more with DoodleMaths

How will my child be assessed?

NAPLAN, which stands for National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy, is a series of assessments that students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 in both public and private schools across Australia participate in. The assessments are created to measure the learning of students against the Year 3 maths Australian Curriculum. This means everything in the assessments will be content that your child is already learning in school!

The maths tests are usually multiple-choice or drag-and-drop style questions. These questions can change depending on the students responses when answering the initial set of questions; this method is what NAPLAN calls tailored testing. All students will start with the same questions, “testlet A”; their answers to testlet A will determine which testlet is next delivered. This method of testing encourages higher levels of student engagement and less discouragement for students who may be feeling anxious about sitting the assessments.

Teachers will also monitor your child’s progress through informal assessments.

Informal Assessment Methods:

Children may be tested through end-of-topic assessments, which may be done by grading an independent piece of work or by sitting one-to-one with a child and testing them on key skills.

Children may be monitored through general observations, which may be made during independent work or group work. Teachers will be looking to see how a student uses their knowledge.

Teachers might also choose to ask questions during whole-group learning times. This is an opportunity for teachers to check a student’s understanding of a concept and may include questions such as “Why did you choose this method of working out?”.

Completing checklists and rubrics to track progress.

Teachers often set quick end-of-lesson quizzes or recaps, which allow them to gather information on children who will need additional support and whether the class is ready to move on to the next topic.

How can I help my child with maths at home?

To support your child on their maths journey, focus on a healthy routine, which supports children to digest and practice using the information they are learning. Like everything, revision and homework should be done in moderation, breaking it into manageable chunks if necessary to suit your learner.

Alongside homework, teach your child that maths can be fun! Using a maths app such as Doodle Maths allows children to have fun with maths, play games, and earn rewards! Families can access their child’s online dashboard to track their progress as they complete their daily 10-minute program of work!

Alongside monitoring their progress on the Doodle Maths dashboard, where possible, try to set aside some time to spend with your child as they complete their maths homework. Even if you’re unsure of the answers, you can problem-solve together! Be sure that the time you choose to complete homework works best for your child and family; a noisy house with distractions can lead to frustrations and have a negative impact on your child’s learning!

Lesson credits

Robyn Oliver

Robyn is a teacher, educational content creator, and mum to three. After completing a Bachelor of Childhood Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education, she moved to Perth, WA, and has spent her career working in a range of early childhood services and schools. These days, she mixes relief teaching in local schools with creating practical, engaging resources and mentoring early childhood services. Her work is driven by a genuine passion for supporting children to grow and learn, and helping educators feel confident and inspired in what they do.

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Year 3 Maths Curriculum