School Holidays 2026 by State in Australia

Planning family holidays around school breaks is essential for Australian families. Searching for “school holidays 2026 by state”? This guide provides an overview of expected dates based on historical patterns across Australia’s states and territories. Important: These are estimates only. Official dates are set by each state or territory’s education department and may shift due to public holidays or policy changes. Always verify with the relevant authority closer to the time.

Australian schools typically follow a four-term calendar, with holidays between terms: summer (longest, December to January), autumn (March-April), winter (June-July), and spring (September-October). Dates vary slightly by state due to local needs, like agricultural cycles in rural areas or alignment with public holidays such as Australia Day or Queen’s Birthday.

Releases of official 2026 calendars usually occur in mid-2025. Check websites like education.nsw.gov.au for NSW or education.vic.gov.au for Victoria.

Expected School Holidays 2026 by State and Territory

Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of projected holiday periods for 2026. These align with past years (e.g., 2024-2025 patterns) but include buffers for variations.

New South Wales (NSW)

NSW public schools often start Term 1 in late January. Expected 2026 holidays:

Summer: 19 December 2025 – 28 January 2026 (approx. 6 weeks)
Autumn: 3 April – 20 April 2026 (2 weeks, including Easter)
Winter: 27 June – 11 July 2026 (2 weeks)
Spring: 26 September – 12 October 2026 (2 weeks)

Families in Sydney or regional NSW can plan beach trips during summer. Verify at NSW Education.

Victoria (VIC)

Victorian calendars emphasize consistency. Projections:

Summer: 20 December 2025 – 27 January 2026
Autumn: 3 April – 20 April 2026
Winter: 27 June – 11 July 2026
Spring: 26 September – 13 October 2026

Melbourne families might head to the Great Ocean Road. Check Victorian Department of Education.

Queensland (QLD)

QLD has regional variations but statewide public holidays. Estimates:

Summer: 12 December 2025 – 27 January 2026
Autumn: 27 March – 14 April 2026
Winter: 27 June – 11 July 2026
Spring: 26 September – 13 October 2026

Brisbane or Gold Coast trips peak in summer. See QLD Education.

South Australia (SA)

Adelaide-aligned, with slight rural differences:

Summer: 19 December 2025 – 28 January 2026
Autumn: 3 April – 20 April 2026
Winter: 27 June – 13 July 2026
Spring: 26 September – 13 October 2026

Barossa Valley getaways suit autumn. Confirm via SA Education.

Western Australia (WA)

WA’s calendar accounts for Perth’s climate:

Summer: 19 December 2025 – 28 January 2026
Autumn: 27 March – 14 April 2026
Winter: 27 June – 13 July 2026
Spring: 26 September – 13 October 2026

Margaret River is ideal for spring. Visit WA Education.

Tasmania (TAS)

Cooler climate influences breaks:

Summer: 19 December 2025 – 28 January 2026
Autumn: 27 March – 14 April 2026
Winter: 27 June – 13 July 2026
Spring: 26 September – 13 October 2026

Cradle Mountain hikes in winter holidays. Check Tasmanian Education.

Northern Territory (NT)

Darwin-focused, with wet season considerations:

Summer: 19 December 2025 – 28 January 2026
Autumn: 27 March – 14 April 2026
Winter: 27 June – 13 July 2026
Spring: 26 September – 13 October 2026

Kakadu in dry winter. See NT Education.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Aligns closely with NSW:

Summer: 19 December 2025 – 28 January 2026
Autumn: 3 April – 20 April 2026
Winter: 27 June – 11 July 2026
Spring: 26 September – 12 October 2026

Canberra’s museums shine year-round. Verify at ACT Education.

Key Differences and Public Holidays

Holidays often extend with public holidays like Easter (March/April 2026: Good Friday 3 April, Easter Monday 6 April) or King’s Birthday (varies: October in QLD/SA/WA/ACT/TAS, June elsewhere). Labour Day adds days in some states (March in VIC/NSW/TAS/ACT, May in QLD, etc.). Private and Catholic schools may differ slightly—check individually.

Planning Family Travel During 2026 School Holidays

Summer Holidays (Dec 2025-Jan 2026)

Peak travel time. Book flights early for domestic spots like Byron Bay (NSW/QLD border) or Uluru (NT). Families save by camping or staying mid-week. Expect crowds; aim for post-New Year dips.

Autumn Break (March-April)

Milder weather suits road trips. VIC/NSW Easter long weekends are busy—consider Tasmania’s quieter trails or WA’s wildflowers.

Winter Holidays (June-July)

Snow season! NSW/VIC Alps for skiing, or QLD’s hinterland for rainforests. NT’s dry season is perfect for outback adventures.

Spring Break (Sept-Oct)

Whales migrate along coasts (NSW/QLD). Schoolies Week (QLD Gold Coast, late Oct/early Nov) crowds older teens—plan around it.

Tips:

Use apps like School Holidays Australia for updates.
Book accommodations 6-9 months ahead via Booking.com or Airbnb.
Budget for fuel (current avg. $1.80/L) and consider electric vehicle charging networks.
Pack for variable weather: 40°C summers in north, 0°C winters in south.
National parks passes (e.g., NSW $190/year family) save money.

When and How to Confirm Dates

Education departments publish calendars 6-12 months prior. Subscribe to newsletters or follow social media. For 2026, watch from Term 2 2025. Tools like Google Calendar integrations help sync family schedules.

This guide arms you with a starting point for 2026 planning. Safe travels and enjoy quality family time!

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