2026 Public and School Holidays Australia
Introduction to 2026 Public and School Holidays
Planning family outings, trips, or work schedules around public holidays and school holidays is essential for Australian families. In 2026, national public holidays like New Year’s Day and Easter provide long weekends, while school holidays vary by state and territory. These periods are ideal for domestic travel to beaches, national parks, or city escapes.
This guide outlines indicative 2026 public and school holidays based on fixed calendar dates, historical patterns, and official calendars where available. Important: Dates are not finalised by governments. Always verify with your state or territory education department and Fair Work Ombudsman websites for public holidays. School terms typically span four periods with breaks in between, but exact start/end days can shift slightly each year.
National Public Holidays in 2026
Australia shares several nationwide public holidays, observed across all states and territories unless specified otherwise. Here’s the 2026 list:
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Nationwide. |
| 26 January | Monday | Australia Day | Nationwide. |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday | Easter long weekend starts. |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday | Part of four-day weekend. |
| 25 April | Saturday | Anzac Day | Observed on the day; some states may have Monday substitution if weekend. Check locally. |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day | Nationwide. |
| 26 December | Friday | Boxing Day | Nationwide. |
King’s Birthday varies: June in most states (e.g., NSW, VIC, SA, TAS), September/October in others (QLD October, WA September). Labour Day, Queen’s Birthday alternatives, and other events differ by state—see below.
State and Territory-Specific Public Holidays 2026
Each state/territory adds unique holidays. Indicative dates:
New South Wales (NSW)
- King’s Birthday: 8 June (Monday)
- Labour Day: 5 October (Monday)
Victoria (VIC)
- Labour Day: 9 March (Monday)
- King’s Birthday: 8 June (Monday)
Queensland (QLD)
- Labour Day: 5 May (Monday, southern QLD)
- King’s Birthday: 5 October (Monday)
South Australia (SA)
- Adelaide Cup Day: 9 March (Monday)
- King’s Birthday: 8 June (Monday)
Western Australia (WA)
- Labour Day: 2 March (Monday)
- King’s Birthday: 28 September (Monday)
Tasmania (TAS)
- Eight Hours Day: 9 March (Monday)
- King’s Birthday: 8 June (Monday)
Northern Territory (NT)
- May Day: 4 May (Monday)
- King’s Birthday: 8 June (Monday, tentative)
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- Labour Day: 2 March (Monday)
- King’s Birthday: 8 June (Monday)
Regional holidays (e.g., picnics in rural areas) may apply—check local council sites.
Indicative School Holidays 2026 by State and Territory
School holidays align with public holidays but vary. Below are projected dates based on standard 40-week calendars (approx. 10 weeks per term). Confirm via state education websites (e.g., education.nsw.gov.au, education.vic.gov.au).
NSW and ACT Public Schools
- Summer: 19 December 2025 – 28 January 2026 (6 weeks)
- Autumn: 11 April – 27 April (2 weeks)
- Winter: 27 June – 11 July (2 weeks)
- Spring: 26 September – 12 October (2 weeks)
Victoria
- Summer: 20 December 2025 – 27 January 2026
- Autumn: 13 April – 27 April
- Winter: 29 June – 13 July
- Spring: 26 September – 13 October
Queensland
- Summer: 12 December 2025 – 26 January 2026 (state schools)
- Easter: 10 April – 24 April
- Winter: 29 June – 13 July
- Spring: 28 September – 12 October
South Australia
- Summer: 19 December 2025 – 27 January 2026
- Autumn: 13 April – 27 April
- Winter: 29 June – 13 July
- Spring: 23 September – 6 October
Western Australia
- Summer: 11 December 2025 – 28 January 2026
- Autumn: 3 April – 21 April
- Winter: 27 June – 13 July
- Spring: 26 September – 13 October
Tasmania
- Summer: 20 December 2025 – 28 January 2026
- Autumn: 13 April – 27 April
- Winter: 29 June – 13 July
- Spring: 23 September – 6 October
Northern Territory
- Summer: 19 December 2025 – 26 January 2026
- Autumn: 10 April – 27 April
- Winter: 29 June – 13 July
- Spring: 23 September – 12 October
Private schools may differ slightly.
Long Weekends and Family Travel Opportunities
2026 offers prime travel windows:
- Easter (3-6 April): Four-day break across Australia—perfect for coastal drives or Blue Mountains hikes.
- Anzac Day (25 April): Potential long weekend if observed Monday.
- King’s Birthday (June): Winter school holidays overlap for ski trips to Thredbo or family stays in Melbourne.
- Summer Break: Extended holidays for interstate flights or Great Barrier Reef visits.
Travel Tips:
- Book early for school holiday peaks; use schoolholidays.com.au for calendars.
- Drive safely—holidays see traffic spikes.
- Budget for fuel (petrol prices fluctuate) and accommodations.
- Explore free options: national parks, beaches, or city festivals.
Family ideas:
- NSW/VIC: Sydney Harbour or Great Ocean Road.
- QLD: Theme parks in Gold Coast during spring break.
- WA: Margaret River wine region (school-age friendly tours).
Verification and Planning Resources
Governments announce dates 12-18 months ahead. Key sites:
- Public holidays: www.fairwork.gov.au/Public-Holidays
- Schools: nsw.gov.au/education, vic.gov.au, etc.
- Travel: tourism.australia.com or state tourism boards.
Track changes via apps like School Holidays Australia. For businesses, note penalty rates double on public holidays.
This guide helps kickstart your 2026 plans, ensuring family time aligns with breaks. Safe travels!
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