School Holidays 2026 Dates: Australia's State Guide

· school holidays 2026 dates

Planning Ahead for 2026 School Holidays

For Australian families, knowing the upcoming school holiday dates is key to planning vacations, activities, and childcare well in advance. While exact dates for 2026 are still provisional and subject to change, most state education departments publish forward calendars. This guide provides the currently projected 2026 school holiday dates for each state and territory to help you start your planning.

Crucial Disclaimer: The dates below are based on standard term patterns and published provisional calendars. You must always verify the final, confirmed dates with your relevant state or territory education department or your individual school calendar as they can change. Public holidays and local events can also cause adjustments.

Why Dates Vary Across Australia

Australia has no national school calendar. Each state and territory, and sometimes individual sectors (government, Catholic, independent), sets its own term dates. This results in different holiday periods starting and ending on different weeks. The general structure is four terms per year, with breaks between them and a longer summer holiday.

2026 School Holidays & Term Dates by State

New South Wales (NSW)

  • Term 1: Wed 28 Jan – Thu 9 Apr
  • April Holidays: Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul
  • July Holidays: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep
  • September Holidays: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Thu 17 Dec
  • Summer Holidays: Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Victoria (VIC)

  • Term 1: Wed 28 Jan – Thu 9 Apr
  • April Holidays: Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul
  • July Holidays: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep
  • September Holidays: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Thu 17 Dec
  • Summer Holidays: Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Queensland (QLD)

  • Term 1: Tue 27 Jan – Thu 9 Apr
  • April Holidays: Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul
  • July Holidays: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep
  • September Holidays: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Thu 17 Dec
  • Summer Holidays: Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Western Australia (WA)

  • Term 1: Tue 27 Jan – Thu 9 Apr
  • April Holidays: Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul
  • July Holidays: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep
  • September Holidays: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Thu 17 Dec
  • Summer Holidays: Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

South Australia (SA)

  • Term 1: Tue 27 Jan – Thu 9 Apr
  • April Holidays: Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul
  • July Holidays: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep
  • September Holidays: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Thu 17 Dec
  • Summer Holidays: Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Tasmania (TAS)

  • Term 1: Tue 27 Jan – Thu 9 Apr
  • April Holidays: Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul
  • July Holidays: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep
  • September Holidays: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Thu 17 Dec
  • Summer Holidays: Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

  • Term 1: Tue 27 Jan – Thu 9 Apr
  • April Holidays: Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul
  • July Holidays: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep
  • September Holidays: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Thu 17 Dec
  • Summer Holidays: Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Northern Territory (NT)

  • Term 1: Tue 27 Jan – Thu 9 Apr
  • April Holidays: Fri 10 Apr – Sun 26 Apr
  • Term 2: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 3 Jul
  • July Holidays: Sat 4 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
  • Term 3: Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep
  • September Holidays: Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
  • Term 4: Mon 12 Oct – Thu 17 Dec
  • Summer Holidays: Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027

Practical Planning Tips for 2026

  1. Book Early: Accommodation and flights for popular school holiday periods (especially July and September/October) get booked out months in advance.
  2. Check School-Specific Dates: Some schools, particularly in the Catholic and independent sectors, may have slightly different start/finish dates or additional pupil-free days.
  3. Factor in Public Holidays: State-based public holidays (e.g., Labour Day, Queen’s Birthday) often fall within school terms and can create extra long weekends for families.
  4. Consider Shoulder Seasons: Travelling just before or after the official holiday crowds can mean better prices and fewer people.

Final Verification: Your Essential Next Step

Before making any non-refundable bookings, take five minutes to confirm the dates. Visit your state or territory’s official Department of Education website and search for “2026 school term dates” or “2026 school calendar”. You can also check your child’s school website, which will publish its specific calendar. This simple step ensures your 2026 family plans are built on a solid, accurate foundation.

*Note: All dates listed are projected based on standard term structures and are expected to align with official 2026 calendars, but are not yet formally certified by governments.