Catholic School Holidays 2026: Australia Guide

· catholic school school holidays 2026

Catholic School Holidays 2026: Essential Guide for Australian Families

Planning ahead for Catholic school holidays in 2026 can help Australian families make the most of time off school. Catholic schools across the country generally align their calendars with state public school term dates but often include additional days for religious observances, such as feast days or pupil-free professional development. However, exact dates can vary by diocese and individual school, so families must verify with their local Catholic education office, school website, or state education department.

This guide provides indicative term dates based on typical patterns and projections for 2026. These are not official—holidays like Easter shift annually, impacting Term 1 and 2 breaks. Use this as a starting point for booking family trips, organising childcare, or planning activities.

Key Features of Catholic School Calendars

Catholic schools in Australia operate under diocesan authorities, such as the Catholic Education Commission in each state. Most follow the four-term structure:

  • Term 1: Late January to early April (pre-Easter)
  • Autumn Holidays: 2 weeks in April
  • Term 2: Late April to early July
  • Winter Holidays: 2-3 weeks in June/July
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September
  • Spring Holidays: 2 weeks in September/October
  • Term 4: Mid-October to mid-December
  • Summer Holidays: 6-7 weeks from mid-December to late January

Additional Catholic-specific holidays may include:

  • Ash Wednesday (early February 2026, around Feb 18—often a whole or half-day off)
  • Good Friday and Easter Monday (April 3-6, 2026—public holidays)
  • Anzac Day (April 25—public holiday)
  • Feast of the Assumption (August 15—may be a local holiday in some dioceses)
  • All Saints’ Day (November 1—possible pupil-free or short day)
  • Immaculate Conception (December 8—varies by region)

Pupil-free days for teacher training (typically 4-5 per year) and possible COVID-19 make-up days also affect attendance. Check your school’s parent portal for the 2026 calendar, usually released by Term 4 2025.

Indicative Catholic School Term Dates 2026 by State/Territory

Dates below are projections based on 2025 patterns, adjusted for 2026 public holidays like Easter (April 5) and Queen’s Birthday (June 8 in most states). These are indicative only—confirm with your state Catholic diocese or education department.

New South Wales (NSW) and ACT

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 3 Apr
  • Autumn: 4 Apr – 20 Apr
  • Term 2: 21 Apr – 3 Jul
  • Winter: 4 Jul – 20 Jul
  • Term 3: 21 Jul – 25 Sep
  • Spring: 26 Sep – 12 Oct
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 17 Dec

NSW Catholic schools (Sydney, Maitland-Newcastle, etc.) often match public dates closely, with extras like Mary MacKillop feast (Aug 8).

Victoria (VIC)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 2 Apr
  • Autumn: 3 Apr – 19 Apr
  • Term 2: 22 Apr – 3 Jul (adj. for Queen’s Birthday)
  • Winter: 4 Jul – 20 Jul
  • Term 3: 21 Jul – 25 Sep
  • Spring: 28 Sep – 12 Oct
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 18 Dec

Melbourne Archdiocese adds days like St Joseph’s feast (May 1).

Queensland (QLD)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 3 Apr
  • Autumn: 4 Apr – 21 Apr
  • Term 2: 22 Apr – 26 Jun
  • Winter: 27 Jun – 13 Jul
  • Term 3: 14 Jul – 25 Sep
  • Spring: 28 Sep – 12 Oct
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 11 Dec

Brisbane Catholic Education may extend holidays for Ekka (Aug).

Western Australia (WA)

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 3 Apr
  • Autumn: 4 Apr – 24 Apr (longer break)
  • Term 2: 25 Apr – 3 Jul
  • Winter: 4 Jul – 21 Jul
  • Term 3: 22 Jul – 25 Sep
  • Spring: 28 Sep – 12 Oct
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 17 Dec

Perth dioceses align with public, plus local saints.

South Australia (SA) and Northern Territory (NT)

  • SA Term 1: 27 Jan – 2 Apr; similar structure to VIC.
  • NT: Matches NT public dates, e.g., Term 1 to Apr 3.

Tasmania (TAS)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 3 Apr; follows state with Catholic adjustments.

For all states, summer holidays run ~18 Dec 2026 to ~28 Jan 2027.

Planning Family Activities and Travel During 2026 Holidays

With holidays spanning ~14-15 weeks annually, Australian Catholic families have ample time for bonding and adventures. Here’s how to plan:

Short Breaks (Autumn, Winter, Spring)

  • Autumn (April): Post-Easter recharge. Beach trips to Gold Coast or Sydney’s coastal walks. QLD/NSW families can explore hinterlands.
  • Winter (June-July): Skiing in VIC/NSW (Thredbo, Falls Creek) or warm escapes to QLD’s Tropical North. Indoor options: Melbourne museums or Adelaide’s festivals.
  • Spring (Sep-Oct): Whale watching in WA or hiking Tasmania’s trails. School camps often precede these.

Long Summer Holidays (Dec-Jan)

  • Domestic: Great Ocean Road drive, Uluru family tours, or Sydney-Hobart yacht spectacle (Dec 26). Budget flights via Qantas/JETSTAR for inter-state.
  • International: Bali or NZ for 2-3 weeks—book early for Jan peaks.
  • Staycations: National parks, zoo passes, or backyard camps.

Travel Tips:

  • Book 6+ months ahead for holiday peaks; use school calendars for cheap flights (e.g., Skyscanner alerts).
  • Consider multi-generational trips—many dioceses offer family retreats.
  • Budget: Holidays cost ~$200-500/child/week (accom + food). Gov rebates like NDIS or family tax benefits help.
  • Safety: Check BOM for weather; RACV/NRMA for road trips.

Additional Considerations for Catholic Families

  • Religious Observances: Use holidays for pilgrimages (e.g., Mary MacKillop sites in Penola, SA) or family Masses.
  • Childcare and Working Parents: Pupil-free days may require OSC (Outside School Care). Holidays overlap public school breaks for mixed-faith siblings.
  • Changes and Updates: Calendars finalised late 2025. Subscribe to diocese newsletters (e.g., ces.nsw.catholic.edu.au).
  • Special Needs: Inclusive schools offer holiday programs—contact EDAct or similar.

By starting with these indicative dates, you can draft a 2026 family calendar now. Always cross-check official sources to avoid surprises. Happy planning!

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