School Holidays 2026: All States & Territories Guide

· school holidays 2026 all states

Planning Ahead for 2026 School Holidays

For Australian families, mapping out the year ahead starts with understanding school holiday dates. While exact 2026 term dates are yet to be formally published by state and territory education departments, we can provide a highly reliable forecast based on historical patterns and typical academic calendars. This allows for proactive planning of family travel, childcare, and activities. Crucially, all families must verify these projected dates with their relevant state or territory education authority before finalising any bookings.

Why Patterns Matter for 2026 Planning

Australian school terms generally follow a consistent structure: four terms per year, spaced approximately 10 weeks apart, with two-week breaks between them (except for the longer summer holiday). Public holidays and Easter significantly influence term start and end dates. By analysing the cyclical nature of these calendars, we can predict the likely windows for 2026 school holidays across all jurisdictions with a high degree of confidence.

Projected 2026 Term Dates by State/Territory

Below is a breakdown of the anticipated term date patterns for 2026. These are estimates for planning purposes only.

New South Wales (NSW) & Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

NSW and the ACT typically share nearly identical calendars.

  • Term 1: Late January to early April. Likely break: Mid-April 2026.
  • Term 2: Mid-April to late June. Likely break: Early July 2026.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Likely break: Early October 2026.
  • Term 4: Early October to mid-December. Summer holidays: Mid-December 2026 to late January 2027.

Victoria (VIC)

Victoria’s calendar often starts a week earlier than NSW in Term 1.

  • Term 1: Late January to early April. Likely break: Mid-April 2026.
  • Term 2: Mid-April to late June. Likely break: Early July 2026.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Likely break: Early October 2026.
  • Term 4: Early October to mid-December. Summer holidays: Mid-December 2026 to late January 2027.

Queensland (QLD)

Queensland’s year finishes slightly later, with a shorter summer break starting in early December.

  • Term 1: Late January to early April. Likely break: Mid-April 2026.
  • Term 2: Mid-April to late June. Likely break: Early July 2026.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Likely break: Early October 2026.
  • Term 4: Early October to early December. Summer holidays: Early December 2026 to late January 2027.

South Australia (SA)

SA’s terms are closely aligned with Victoria and Tasmania.

  • Term 1: Late January to mid-April. Likely break: Late April 2026.
  • Term 2: Late April to early July. Likely break: Mid-July 2026.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Likely break: Early October 2026.
  • Term 4: Early October to mid-December. Summer holidays: Mid-December 2026 to late January 2027.

Western Australia (WA)

WA often has a slightly different pattern, with Term 3 sometimes starting in late July.

  • Term 1: Late January to early April. Likely break: Mid-April 2026.
  • Term 2: Mid-April to late June. Likely break: Early July 2026.
  • Term 3: Late July to late September. Likely break: Early October 2026.
  • Term 4: Early October to mid-December. Summer holidays: Mid-December 2026 to late January 2027.

Tasmania (TAS)

Tasmania’s Term 1 often begins in early February, and their summer break can extend into the first week of February.

  • Term 1: Early February to mid-April. Likely break: Late April 2026.
  • Term 2: Late April to early July. Likely break: Mid-July 2026.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Likely break: Early October 2026.
  • Term 4: Early October to mid-December. Summer holidays: Mid-December 2026 to early February 2027.

Northern Territory (NT)

The NT’s calendar is unique, with Term 1 often beginning in late January and a longer break over the Darwin Show Day.

  • Term 1: Late January to early April. Likely break: Mid-April 2026.
  • Term 2: Mid-April to late June. Likely break: Early July 2026.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Likely break: Early October 2026.
  • Term 4: Early October to mid-December. Summer holidays: Mid-December 2026 to late January 2027.

Key 2026 Travel Windows & Considerations

Based on the projected breaks, major Australian school holiday periods in 2026 will likely cluster around:

  • Easter: Mid-April (coinciding with Term 1 holidays in most states).
  • July: Early to mid-July (Term 2 holidays). This is a popular winter travel period.
  • September/October: Early October (Term 3 holidays). A prime time for spring getaways.
  • Christmas/New Year: Mid-December 2026 to late January 2027 (Summer holidays). This is the longest and most expensive travel period.

Important Context: Always cross-reference projected school breaks with public holidays (e.g., Australia Day, Anzac Day, Queen’s Birthday) as these can create long weekends and affect travel demand and pricing. State-based public holidays (like Melbourne Cup Day or the Brisbane Ekka) can also create extra days off in specific regions.

Actionable Steps for Families

  1. Mark Your Preliminary Calendar: Use the projected windows above to tentatively block out potential holiday weeks in your 2026 family planner.
  2. Bookmark Official Sources: In early 2025, check your state/territory’s Department of Education website for the confirmed 2026 calendar. Search for “[Your State] 2026 school term dates”.
  3. Consider Flexibility: If your travel is flexible, targeting the shoulder weeks of a holiday period (e.g., the second week of a two-week break) can mean better prices and fewer crowds.
  4. Plan for Local Options: Don’t overlook staycations. Your projected school holidays are the same for local families, meaning local attractions, parks, and events will be busier during these times.

Final Reminder

This guide provides a valuable, evidence-based forecast for “school holidays 2026 all states” to facilitate forward planning. However, the only definitive dates are those published by your state or territory education department, usually released in mid-2025. Using this information responsibly means treating it as a planning tool, not a final itinerary. Verify, then book with confidence for a fantastic 2026 filled with family memories.