Australia 2026 School Holidays: State-by-State Guide

Planning Ahead for Australia’s 2026 School Holidays

For Australian families, knowing the school holiday calendar well in advance is the cornerstone of successful trip planning, budget management, and securing childcare. While exact, government-approved term dates for 2026 are typically published by state and territory education departments 12-18 months in advance, we can provide a reliable, practical forecast based on historical patterns and standard academic structures. This article outlines the expected holiday periods for 2026, but it is absolutely critical that you verify all dates with your relevant state or territory education department before making any firm bookings or commitments.

Why Dates Vary Across Australia

Australia does not have a single national school calendar. Each state and territory, and sometimes individual sectors (government, Catholic, independent), sets its own term dates. This leads to a fascinating, and sometimes frustrating, patchwork of holiday start and end times. For 2026, the key periods to understand are:

Summer Holidays (Long Break): Typically mid-December 2025 to late January/early February 2026.
Autumn Holidays: Usually a 1-2 week break in April.
Winter Holidays: A 1-2 week break in July.
Spring Holidays: A 1-2 week break in September/October.

The exact duration and placement within these months differ by state.

State and Territory 2026 Holiday Forecasts

Below are the typical, anticipated windows for 2026 school holidays. These are projections based on the standard 10-week Christmas break and 2-week terms in between.

New South Wales (NSW)

Summer Holidays: ~Friday 18 December 2025 – Tuesday 27 January 2026 (2026 start)
Autumn Holidays: ~Monday 13 April – Friday 24 April 2026
Winter Holidays: ~Monday 6 July – Friday 17 July 2026
Spring Holidays: ~Monday 28 September – Friday 9 October 2026

Victoria (VIC)

Summer Holidays: ~Friday 18 December 2025 – Monday 26 January 2026 (Australia Day)
Autumn Holidays: ~Monday 6 April – Friday 17 April 2026
Winter Holidays: ~Monday 29 June – Friday 10 July 2026
Spring Holidays: ~Monday 21 September – Friday 2 October 2026

Queensland (QLD)

Summer Holidays: ~Friday 11 December 2025 – Monday 26 January 2026
Autumn Holidays: ~Friday 3 April – Sunday 19 April 2026 (includes Easter)
Winter Holidays: ~Friday 26 June – Sunday 11 July 2026
Spring Holidays: ~Friday 18 September – Monday 5 October 2026

South Australia (SA)

Summer Holidays: ~Friday 11 December 2025 – Monday 26 January 2026
Autumn Holidays: ~Friday 10 April – Sunday 26 April 2026
Winter Holidays: ~Friday 3 July – Sunday 19 July 2026
Spring Holidays: ~Friday 25 September – Sunday 11 October 2026

Western Australia (WA)

Summer Holidays: ~Friday 18 December 2025 – Monday 26 January 2026
Autumn Holidays: ~Friday 3 April – Sunday 19 April 2026
Winter Holidays: ~Friday 26 June – Sunday 11 July 2026
Spring Holidays: ~Friday 25 September – Sunday 11 October 2026

Tasmania (TAS)

Summer Holidays: ~Friday 18 December 2025 – Monday 26 January 2026
Autumn Holidays: ~Friday 3 April – Sunday 19 April 2026
Winter Holidays: ~Friday 26 June – Sunday 11 July 2026
Spring Holidays: ~Friday 25 September – Sunday 11 October 2026

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Summer Holidays: ~Friday 18 December 2025 – Monday 26 January 2026
Autumn Holidays: ~Monday 13 April – Friday 24 April 2026
Winter Holidays: ~Monday 6 July – Friday 17 July 2026
Spring Holidays: ~Monday 28 September – Friday 9 October 2026

Northern Territory (NT)

Summer Holidays: ~Friday 18 December 2025 – Monday 26 January 2026
Autumn Holidays: ~Friday 3 April – Sunday 19 April 2026
Winter Holidays: ~Friday 26 June – Sunday 11 July 2026
Spring Holidays: ~Friday 25 September – Sunday 11 October 2026

Key Public Holidays & Long Weekends in 2026

When planning travel, always cross-reference school holidays with the fixed national public holidays for 2026:

Australia Day: Monday 26 January 2026
Good Friday: Friday 3 April 2026
Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 2026
Anzac Day: Tuesday 25 April 2026
King’s Birthday: Monday 8 June 2026 (except QLD, which celebrates in October)
Labour Day: Varies by state (early October in NSW, VIC, ACT; early March in VIC; early May in QLD)
Christmas Day: Saturday 25 December 2026 (with additional public holiday on Monday 27 December)
Boxing Day: Sunday 26 December 2026 (with additional public holiday on Monday 27 December)

The alignment of school holidays with these public holidays creates extended travel windows but also means peak demand and prices.

Practical Planning Tips for 2026

Verify, Verify, Verify: Bookmark your state’s education department website (e.g., NSW Department of Education, Victorian Department of Education). Search for “2026 school term dates” on their official sites. Dates for government schools are usually released first.
Check Your Specific School: Independent and Catholic schools often have slightly different calendars. Always check your school’s newsletter or website for their definitive dates.
Book Early for Peak Times: The first week of any major school holiday period (especially the summer break start and the middle of the year) is the most expensive and crowded for travel. Booking flights and accommodation 9-12 months ahead can yield significant savings.
Consider Shoulder Travel: Travelling in the last week of a holiday period or the first week back at school often means better prices and fewer crowds while your child is still on break.
Factor in State Variations: If travelling interstate, be aware you might be leaving during your children’s holidays but arriving in a state where school is still in session, which can affect childcare and activity availability.
Plan for Childcare Gaps: In multi-week holidays, the first and last weeks are often covered by leave. The middle weeks can be the hardest for childcare. Explore vacation care programs early, as they book out quickly.

Conclusion

While this guide provides a strong, evidence-based forecast for Australia 2026 school holidays, the only dates that matter are the official ones from your education authority. Use this information to start dreaming and rough-planning your family adventures for 2026. Begin your research now, set calendar reminders to check for official releases in late 2024 or early 2025, and you’ll be perfectly positioned to make the most of every school break, wherever you are in Australia.