2026 State School Holidays: Dates by Australian State

· 2026 state school holidays

Planning 2026 State School Holidays in Australia

School holidays are a highlight for Australian families, offering time for relaxation, travel, and family bonding. If you’re searching for “2026 state school holidays,” you’re likely planning ahead for term breaks across Australia’s states and territories. Importantly, exact dates for 2026 have not been officially released by all state education departments as of now. School calendars are typically published 12-18 months in advance, so families must verify with official sources like your state’s education website (e.g., education.nsw.gov.au for NSW).

This guide provides expected dates based on historical patterns from recent years. Australian public schools follow four terms per year, with holidays in between: Autumn (2 weeks), Winter (2 weeks), Spring (2 weeks), and a longer Summer break (6-7 weeks). Dates vary slightly by state/territory due to local needs, public holidays, and pupil-free days. Private schools may differ.

Use this as a starting point for booking family holidays, but always cross-check official announcements to avoid surprises.

Expected 2026 School Term Dates by State and Territory

Below are approximate term start/end dates for 2026 government schools, derived from 2023-2025 patterns. Expect minor shifts (1-2 days) for public holidays like Easter or Queen’s Birthday. Pupil-free days (teacher training) often precede terms—check locally.

New South Wales (NSW)

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 3 Apr (Autumn holidays: 6-20 Apr)
  • Term 2: 27 Apr – 3 Jul (Winter: 6 Jul – 20 Jul)
  • Term 3: 27 Jul – 25 Sep (Spring: 28 Sep – 12 Oct)
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 17 Dec (Summer: 18 Dec 2026 – 28 Jan 2027)

NSW holidays align closely with ACT. Verify at education.nsw.gov.au.

Victoria (VIC)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 31 Mar (Autumn: 1-14 Apr)
  • Term 2: 15 Apr – 3 Jul (Winter: 6-20 Jul)
  • Term 3: 20 Jul – 18 Sep (Spring: 21 Sep – 5 Oct)
  • Term 4: 6 Oct – 18 Dec (Summer: 19 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027)

VIC has regional variations (e.g., earlier starts in some areas). Check education.vic.gov.au.

Queensland (QLD)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 27 Mar (Easter: 30 Mar – 14 Apr)
  • Term 2: 15 Apr – 26 Jun (Winter: 29 Jun – 13 Jul)
  • Term 3: 14 Jul – 23 Sep (Spring: 28 Sep – 12 Oct)
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 11 Dec (Summer: 12 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027)

QLD Easter break is longer. South East QLD may differ slightly. See eq.edu.au.

Western Australia (WA)

  • Term 1: 29 Jan – 3 Apr (Autumn: 6-20 Apr)
  • Term 2: 21 Apr – 26 Jun (Winter: 29 Jun – 13 Jul)
  • Term 3: 14 Jul – 18 Sep (Spring: 28 Sep – 13 Oct)
  • Term 4: 14 Oct – 3 Dec (Summer: 4 Dec 2026 – 28 Jan 2027)

WA terms end earlier. Confirm at education.wa.edu.au.

South Australia (SA)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 27 Mar (Autumn: 30 Mar – 14 Apr)
  • Term 2: 15 Apr – 26 Jun (Winter: 29 Jun – 13 Jul)
  • Term 3: 14 Jul – 18 Sep (Spring: 21 Sep – 6 Oct)
  • Term 4: 7 Oct – 4 Dec (Summer: 5 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027)

SA has unique mid-term breaks sometimes. Visit education.sa.gov.au.

Tasmania (TAS)

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 27 Mar (Autumn: 30 Mar – 14 Apr)
  • Term 2: 15 Apr – 26 Jun (Winter: 29 Jun – 13 Jul)
  • Term 3: 14 Jul – 18 Sep (Spring: 21 Sep – 6 Oct)
  • Term 4: 7 Oct – 16 Dec (Summer: 17 Dec 2026 – 28 Jan 2027)

Check education.tas.gov.au for updates.

Northern Territory (NT)

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 2 Apr (Autumn: 6-20 Apr)
  • Term 2: 21 Apr – 26 Jun (Winter: 29 Jun – 13 Jul)
  • Term 3: 14 Jul – 18 Sep (Spring: 21 Sep – 5 Oct)
  • Term 4: 6 Oct – 4 Dec (Summer: 7 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027)

NT aligns with NSW/WA patterns. See education.nt.gov.au.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

  • Matches NSW closely: Term 1 28 Jan–3 Apr, etc. Verify at act.gov.au/education.
StateSummer 2025-26 EndAutumnWinterSpringSummer 2026-27 Start
NSW/ACT17 Dec 20256-20 Apr6-20 Jul28 Sep-12 Oct28 Jan 2027
VIC18 Dec1-14 Apr6-20 Jul21 Sep-5 Oct26 Jan
QLD11 Dec30 Mar-14 Apr29 Jun-13 Jul28 Sep-12 Oct20 Jan
WA3 Dec6-20 Apr29 Jun-13 Jul28 Sep-13 Oct28 Jan
SA4 Dec30 Mar-14 Apr29 Jun-13 Jul21 Sep-6 Oct26 Jan
TAS16 Dec30 Mar-14 Apr29 Jun-13 Jul21 Sep-6 Oct28 Jan
NT4 Dec6-20 Apr29 Jun-13 Jul21 Sep-5 Oct26 Jan

Family Travel Tips for 2026 School Holidays

School holidays mean peak travel times. Book early for domestic flights, campsites, and theme parks like Dreamworld (QLD) or Luna Park (VIC/NSW).

Best Times to Travel

  • Staggered breaks: VIC/WA holidays don’t perfectly overlap with NSW/QLD, reducing crowds at shared spots like Gold Coast.
  • Shoulder periods: Travel just before/after holidays for lower prices (e.g., late Dec before NSW summer break).
  • Winter escapes: QLD’s sunny winters suit southern families fleeing VIC/NSW cold.

Budgeting and Planning

  • Monitor sites like schoolholidays.com.au for updates.
  • Factor public holidays: Australia Day (26 Jan), Easter (dates vary—likely 3-6 Apr 2026), Anzac Day (25 Apr), King’s Birthday (varies by state, e.g., 8 Jun VIC).
  • Family deals: Qantas, Virgin Australia offer holiday fares; NRMA for campsites.

Interstate Travel Considerations

Cross-state trips? Note varying start dates—e.g., WA summer ends early (3 Dec), ideal for Perth family visits before QLD chaos.

Staying Informed and Safe

Subscribe to state education newsletters. Apps like School Holidays Australia provide reminders. For family travel, pack for weather (hot QLD summers, cool TAS winters) and check COVID rules if reinstated.

By planning with these expected 2026 state school holidays, your family can maximize fun. Remember: Official dates rule—visit your state department today. (748 words)