2026 Australia School Holidays: State-by-State Guide

· 2026 australia school holidays

Planning Ahead for 2026 School Holidays

For Australian families, marking the school calendar is the first step in planning trips, activities, and childcare for the year ahead. The 2026 school holiday schedule is not uniform across the country. Each state and territory’s education department sets its own term dates, typically based on a four-term structure with two-week breaks between terms and a longer summer holiday.

Important Disclaimer: The following information provides a projected, typical pattern for 2026 based on historical cycles. Exact, official dates for 2026 will not be confirmed by state education departments until mid-to-late 2025. Families must always verify final dates with their relevant state or territory education authority before making any binding travel or financial commitments.

The National Context & Key Variations

While the four-term system is standard, start and end dates shift. The most significant variations are:

  • Term 1 Start: Most states start late January/early February, but Tasmania and the ACT often begin in late January/early February, while the Northern Territory may start later.
  • Term 3 Break (Spring): This mid-year break often aligns with regional events. For example, it frequently coincides with the Ekka in Brisbane (August) or the Royal Adelaide Show (September).
  • Christmas/Summer Holidays: The length of the summer break is the most variable, ranging from approximately 6 weeks (NSW, Vic, Qld) to 7-8 weeks (SA, WA, Tas, NT). The 2026 summer break will begin in mid-December 2026 and run until late January/early February 2027.
  • Public Holidays: State-based public holidays (e.g., Labour Day, Queen’s Birthday, Melbourne Cup Day) create additional long weekends, often resulting in a Monday or Friday off, effectively extending a weekend into a mini-holiday.

Projected 2026 Term & Holiday Periods by State

Note: All dates are approximate estimates based on standard 10-week terms and typical holiday durations. They are for planning purposes only.

New South Wales (NESA)

  • Term 1: Wed 28 Jan – Thu 9 Apr | Holiday: Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul | Holiday: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep | Holiday: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Tue 15 Dec | Summer: Wed 16 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Victoria (DET)

  • Term 1: Tue 27 Jan – Thu 2 Apr | Holiday: Fri 3 Apr – Sun 19 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 20 Apr – Fri 26 Jun | Holiday: Sat 27 Jun – Sun 12 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 13 Jul – Fri 18 Sep | Holiday: Sat 19 Sep – Sun 5 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 6 Oct – Fri 18 Dec | Summer: Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Queensland (DET)

  • Term 1: Tue 27 Jan – Thu 2 Apr | Holiday: Fri 3 Apr – Sun 19 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 20 Apr – Fri 26 Jun | Holiday: Sat 27 Jun – Sun 12 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 13 Jul – Fri 18 Sep | Holiday: Sat 19 Sep – Sun 5 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 6 Oct – Fri 11 Dec | Summer: Sat 12 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

South Australia (DfE)

  • Term 1: Tue 27 Jan – Fri 10 Apr | Holiday: Sat 11 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul | Holiday: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep | Holiday: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Fri 11 Dec | Summer: Sat 12 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Western Australia (DoE)

  • Term 1: Mon 1 Feb – Fri 16 Apr | Holiday: Sat 17 Apr – Sun 2 May
  • Term 2: Mon 3 May – Fri 2 Jul | Holiday: Sat 3 Jul – Sun 18 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 19 Jul – Fri 24 Sep | Holiday: Sat 25 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Fri 17 Dec | Summer: Sat 18 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Tasmania (DoE)

  • Term 1: Tue 27 Jan – Thu 9 Apr | Holiday: Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul | Holiday: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep | Holiday: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Fri 18 Dec | Summer: Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Australian Capital Territory (EDU)

  • Term 1: Tue 27 Jan – Thu 9 Apr | Holiday: Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul | Holiday: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep | Holiday: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Fri 18 Dec | Summer: Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Northern Territory (DET)

  • Term 1: Tue 27 Jan – Thu 9 Apr | Holiday: Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul | Holiday: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep | Holiday: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Fri 11 Dec | Summer: Sat 12 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Practical Planning Tips for Families

  1. Book Early: Accommodation and flights for popular school holiday periods (especially Easter, July, and September/October) book out months in advance. Use these projected dates to set alerts.
  2. Consider the Weather: Align travel with favourable climates. The northern wet season (Nov-Apr) may affect NT/QLD plans, while southern winters (Jun-Aug) are cooler. The September/October break is ideal for many regions.
  3. Check Local Events: Research major events happening during your target holiday window (e.g., festivals, agricultural shows). These can be fantastic but also mean higher demand and prices.
  4. Factor in Public Holidays: A public holiday during your travel week can mean closures or reduced services, but also potential for special events.
  5. Childcare Planning: If you’re not travelling, these dates are crucial for booking vacation care, school holiday programs, or arranging time off work well in advance.

Travel Ideas Aligned with 2026 Breaks

  • April/Easter Break (Autumn): Perfect for coastal NSW/QLD, exploring Canberra’s autumn colours, or wine regions in SA, Vic, or WA.
  • July Break (Winter): Head north to tropical Queensland (Cairns, Whitsundays) for dry, warm weather. Alternatively, enjoy alpine skiing in the Australian Alps (Perisher, Thredbo, Mt Hotham) or a city cultural break in Melbourne or Sydney.
  • September/October Break (Spring): Ideal for road trips witnessing wildflowers in WA or regional Vic, visiting Uluru with pleasant daytime temperatures, or exploring Tassie’s spring wilderness.
  • Long Summer Break (Dec-Jan): The classic beach holiday. Consider the diverse coastlines of every state, or a trip to New Zealand or the South Pacific.

Final Reminder: Verify Before You Commit

This guide provides a reliable framework based on historical patterns. However, the only definitive source for 2026 school term and holiday dates will be your state or territory’s official education department website, published in late 2025. Always double-check:

  • Exact start/end dates for your child’s specific school (some may have slight variations for professional development days).
  • The precise number of student-free days at the start or end of terms.

By using this proactive overview and committing to verification later, Australian families can confidently start planning a fantastic 2026 filled with memorable family time and travel.