NSW School Holidays 2025 & 2026: Dates & Planning Guide

· nsw school holidays 2025 2026

NSW School Holidays 2025 & 2026: A Family Planning Guide

For Australian families in New South Wales, knowing the school calendar well in advance is the cornerstone of successful holiday planning. It allows for early booking of competitive travel deals, organising family events, and managing work leave. This guide provides the provisional NSW Department of Education term dates for 2025 and 2026, along with essential planning context.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer: The dates below are the officially published provisional calendars. While these are highly reliable, final term dates can occasionally be adjusted by the NSW Department of Education. Families must always verify the confirmed dates directly with the NSW Department of Education or their child’s specific school before making any non-refundable bookings.

2025 NSW School Term & Holiday Dates

The 2025 school year is structured across four terms, with holidays strategically placed around significant public holidays.

Term 1 2025

  • Start: Tuesday, 28 January (Years 1-7, 9-11) & Wednesday, 29 January (Year 12)
  • End: Friday, 4 April
  • Holidays: Saturday, 5 April – Sunday, 27 April
  • Note: Includes the Easter long weekend (Good Friday 18 April – Easter Monday 21 April).

Term 2 2025

  • Start: Monday, 28 April
  • End: Friday, 4 July
  • Holidays: Saturday, 5 July – Sunday, 20 July

Term 3 2025

  • Start: Monday, 21 July
  • End: Friday, 26 September
  • Holidays: Saturday, 27 September – Sunday, 12 October
  • Note: Includes the Labour Day long weekend (first Monday in October).

Term 4 2025

  • Start: Monday, 13 October
  • End: Tuesday, 16 December (Years 1-7, 9-11) & Wednesday, 17 December (Year 12)
  • Holidays: From Wednesday, 17 December 2025
  • Note: The long summer break begins here, encompassing Christmas and New Year.

2026 NSW School Term & Holiday Dates

The pattern continues in 2026, with the summer holidays being the longest break.

Term 1 2026

  • Start: Tuesday, 27 January (Years 1-7, 9-11) & Wednesday, 28 January (Year 12)
  • End: Thursday, 2 April
  • Holidays: Friday, 3 April – Sunday, 19 April
  • Note: Includes the Easter long weekend (Good Friday 3 April – Easter Monday 6 April).

Term 2 2026

  • Start: Monday, 20 April
  • End: Friday, 26 June
  • Holidays: Saturday, 27 June – Sunday, 12 July

Term 3 2026

  • Start: Monday, 13 July
  • End: Friday, 18 September
  • Holidays: Saturday, 19 September – Sunday, 5 October
  • Note: Includes the Labour Day long weekend (first Monday in October).

Term 4 2026

  • Start: Monday, 6 October
  • End: Tuesday, 15 December (Years 1-7, 9-11) & Wednesday, 16 December (Year 12)
  • Holidays: From Wednesday, 16 December 2026

Key Considerations for Planning Family Travel

Aligning with Public Holidays

NSW school holidays often coincide with or are adjacent to national public holidays like Australia Day (26 Jan), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), the King’s Birthday (second Monday in June), and the Labour Day long weekend. These create extended 4-day weekends (sometimes 5 days if a holiday falls near a weekend), perfect for short trips. The Christmas/New Year period is the longest and most expensive time to travel domestically.

Australian Seasonal Context

  • Winter Holidays (July): Ideal for snow trips to the NSW Snowy Mountains (Perisher, Thredbo) or Queensland’s Granite Belt. It’s also a popular time for northern Queensland (Cairns, Whitsundays) to escape the southern cold, though it’s the wet season’s peak.
  • Spring (October) & Autumn (April) Holidays: These are arguably the best times for domestic travel across most of Australia—pleasant weather, fewer extreme crowds than peak summer, and often good value. Perfect for road trips along the coast (e.g., Great Ocean Road, Pacific Coast) or exploring the Red Centre (Uluru) or Top End (Kakadu).
  • Summer Holidays (December-January): Peak season for beach destinations like the NSW North Coast (Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour), the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast. Book accommodation and flights many months in advance. Be prepared for heatwaves and potential bushfire risks; always check local conditions.

Planning & Booking Strategy

  1. Book Early for Peak Times: For the summer and Easter holidays, secure flights and major accommodation 6-9 months ahead, especially for popular family resorts.
  2. Consider Shoulder Seasons: Travelling a week before or after the official holiday period can mean significantly lower prices and smaller crowds while children are still on break.
  3. Check School-Specific Dates: Some schools, particularly in rural or regional areas, may have slightly different start/finish dates or additional pupil-free days. Always confirm with your child’s school.
  4. Budget for Premium Pricing: Expect to pay 20-50% more for accommodation and tours during NSW school holiday periods, especially in peak tourist regions.
  5. Explore Local Staycations: NSW has incredible diversity. A holiday within the state—from the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands to the far west of Broken Hill—can be just as rewarding and often more affordable than interstate travel during peak times.

Final Recommendations

Mark these provisional 2025 and 2026 dates in your family calendar as a starting point. The extended summer break offers the biggest opportunity for long-haul travel, while the shorter autumn, winter, and spring breaks are ideal for exploring Australia’s diverse landscapes.

Your first step is verification. In early 2025, revisit the NSW Department of Education website for the finalised 2026 calendar. For 2025, confirm with your school. With dates locked in, you can strategically plan your family adventures, secure the best deals, and create memorable Australian experiences during the school holidays.