2026 School Calendar with Holidays Australia Guide

· 2026 school calendar with holidays

2026 School Calendar with Holidays: A Guide for Australian Families

Planning ahead for school holidays is essential for Australian families. The 2026 school calendar with holidays varies by state and territory, as education is managed at that level. This guide provides an overview of typical term dates, public holidays, and practical tips for family travel. Important: These are indicative dates based on patterns from previous years. Always verify exact dates with your state or territory’s education department website, as they release official calendars 12-18 months in advance.

Australia’s school year generally runs from late January to mid-December, divided into four terms with holidays in between. In 2026, expect around 13 weeks of pupil-free days or holidays outside terms, plus public holidays that may extend breaks.

Typical 2026 Term Dates by State and Territory

School calendars align closely but differ slightly. Here’s a projected outline for 2026. Check official sources like education.nsw.gov.au for NSW or education.vic.gov.au for Victoria.

New South Wales (NSW)

  • Term 1: 28 January – 10 April (approx. 11 weeks)
  • Autumn Holidays: 13 April – 27 April
  • Term 2: 28 April – 5 July (10 weeks)
  • Winter Holidays: 6 July – 20 July
  • Term 3: 22 July – 25 September (10 weeks)
  • Spring Holidays: 28 September – 12 October
  • Term 4: 13 October – 17 December (10 weeks)

NSW often starts on Australia Day public holiday Monday.

Victoria

  • Term 1: 27 January – 2 April
  • Autumn Holidays: 3 April – 17 April (includes Easter)
  • Term 2: 20 April – 26 June
  • Winter Holidays: 27 June – 11 July
  • Term 3: 14 July – 18 September
  • Spring Holidays: 21 September – 5 October
  • Term 4: 6 October – 18 December

Victorian calendars may adjust for Queen’s Birthday in Term 2.

Queensland

  • Term 1: 27 January – 3 April
  • Easter Holidays: 4 April – 14 April
  • Term 2: 15 April – 26 June
  • Winter Holidays: 30 June – 13 July
  • Term 3: 14 July – 25 September
  • Spring Holidays: 28 September – 9 October
  • Term 4: 12 October – 11 December

Queensland has shorter terms in some regions.

Western Australia (WA)

  • Term 1: 28 January – 3 April
  • Autumn Holidays: 6 April – 24 April
  • Term 2: 25 April – 3 July
  • Winter Holidays: 4 July – 18 July
  • Term 3: 21 July – 25 September
  • Spring Holidays: 28 September – 12 October
  • Term 4: 13 October – 3 December

WA public holidays like WA Day fall in Term 2.

South Australia (SA)

  • Term 1: 27 January – 9 April
  • Autumn Holidays: 10 April – 27 April
  • Term 2: 28 April – 4 July
  • Winter Holidays: 6 July – 20 July
  • Term 3: 21 July – 25 September
  • Spring Holidays: 28 September – 12 October
  • Term 4: 13 October – 10 December

Tasmania

  • Term 1: 3 February – 27 March (earlier start possible)
  • Autumn Holidays: 30 March – 13 April
  • Term 2: 14 April – 3 July
  • Winter Holidays: 6 July – 20 July
  • Term 3: 21 July – 18 September
  • Spring Holidays: 21 September – 5 October
  • Term 4: 6 October – 16 December

Tasmania’s dates can shift for local events.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Aligns closely with NSW:

  • Term 1: 28 January – 9 April
  • Follows similar holiday patterns.

Northern Territory (NT)

  • Term 1: 27 January – 2 April
  • Flexible regional variations; check locally.

Key Public Holidays in 2026 Affecting School Calendars

Public holidays often extend school breaks. Common national ones:

  • New Year’s Day: 1 January (Thursday)
  • Australia Day: 26 January (Monday)
  • Good Friday: 3 April (Friday), Easter Monday 6 April
  • Anzac Day: 25 April (Saturday, observed Monday 27 April in most states)
  • King’s Birthday: Varies (June, e.g., 8 June in most)
  • Christmas: 25-28 December

State-specific: Labour Day (March), Queen’s Birthday variants, AFL Grand Final (Victoria), etc. These create long weekends ideal for short trips.

Family Travel Tips for 2026 School Holidays

School holidays mean peak travel times. Here’s how to plan:

Budgeting and Booking Early

Book flights and accommodations 6-9 months ahead for winter (July) and summer (December-January) breaks. Use sites like Skyscanner for deals. Expect 20-30% price hikes during holidays.

Domestic Destinations

  • Autumn (April): Gold Coast or Sydney for mild weather.
  • Winter (July): Tasmania or Snowy Mountains for skiing.
  • Spring (September-October): Great Barrier Reef or Uluru.
  • Summer (December): Beach spots like Byron Bay or Perth beaches.

Consider school holiday programs via local councils for childcare.

Interstate Travel Considerations

Crossing state lines? Align with overlapping holidays, e.g., NSW/VIC autumn breaks match. Drive times: Sydney to Melbourne ~9 hours.

Packing and Safety

Pack for variable weather—2026 winter could be wet. Use apps like BOM for forecasts. Road trip safely with myGov’s holiday safety checklists.

Affordable Options

Camping via Parks Australia or staycations. Family passes for attractions like Sea World save money.

Staying Updated and Resources

Official calendars release mid-2025. Subscribe to newsletters:

  • NSW: schools.nsw.gov.au
  • VIC: education.vic.gov.au
  • QLD: qld.gov.au/education

Apps like School Holidays Australia provide reminders. For pupil-free days (teacher training), plan low-key activities.

This 2026 school calendar with holidays overview helps families balance work, school, and fun. Verify dates annually—education departments update for events like elections. Happy planning!

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