School Holidays & Term Dates 2026 Australia Guide
Planning Ahead: School Holidays and Term Dates 2026 in Australia
School holidays and term dates 2026 are key for Australian families juggling work, travel, and school routines. With each state and territory setting its own calendar, dates vary slightly, influenced by public holidays like Easter and Australia Day. This guide provides indicative dates based on historical patterns and early announcements. Families must verify exact dates with their state or territory education department websites, as calendars are typically finalised mid-year prior.
Knowing these helps with booking family holidays, childcare, and activities. In 2026, expect four terms per year, with breaks in autumn, winter, spring, and summer. Public holidays often extend breaks, creating long weekends ideal for short trips.
How Australian School Terms Work
Australia’s school year runs from late January to mid-December, divided into:
- Term 1: Late January/early February to mid-April (around Easter).
- Autumn holidays: 2 weeks.
- Term 2: Late April to early July.
- Winter holidays: 2 weeks.
- Term 3: Late July to mid-September.
- Spring holidays: 2 weeks.
- Term 4: Mid-October to mid-December.
- Summer holidays: 6-7 weeks until next January.
Non-government schools may differ slightly. Most states align student-free days before Term 1 for teacher professional development.
Indicative School Term Dates 2026 by State and Territory
Below are projected dates derived from past calendars. These are not official—check your education department for confirmations. Use tables for quick reference.
New South Wales (NSW)
| Term | Dates | Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 Jan – 9 Apr | - |
| Autumn | 13 Apr – 26 Apr | Easter overlap |
| 2 | 27 Apr – 3 Jul | - |
| Winter | 4 Jul – 18 Jul | - |
| 3 | 21 Jul – 25 Sep | - |
| Spring | 28 Sep – 12 Oct | - |
| 4 | 13 Oct – 17 Dec | - |
| Summer | 18 Dec – 28 Jan 2027 | - |
Source: NSW Department of Education (verify at education.nsw.gov.au).
Victoria (VIC)
| Term | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 Jan – 9 Apr | Student-free 26 Jan |
| Autumn | 13 Apr – 27 Apr | - |
| 2 | 28 Apr – 3 Jul | - |
| Winter | 4 Jul – 20 Jul | - |
| 3 | 21 Jul – 25 Sep | - |
| Spring | 28 Sep – 12 Oct | - |
| 4 | 13 Oct – 18 Dec | - |
| Summer | 19 Dec – 26 Jan 2027 | - |
Check: vic.gov.au/education.
Queensland (QLD)
| Term | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 Jan – 3 Apr | - |
| Autumn | 6 Apr – 20 Apr | Easter |
| 2 | 21 Apr – 26 Jun | - |
| Winter | 29 Jun – 13 Jul | - |
| 3 | 14 Jul – 22 Sep | - |
| Spring | 23 Sep – 6 Oct | - |
| 4 | 7 Oct – 12 Dec | - |
| Summer | 15 Dec – 26 Jan 2027 | - |
Verify: qld.gov.au/education.
Western Australia (WA)
| Term | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 Jan – 3 Apr | - |
| Autumn | 6 Apr – 24 Apr | - |
| 2 | 25 Apr – 3 Jul | - |
| Winter | 4 Jul – 21 Jul | - |
| 3 | 22 Jul – 25 Sep | - |
| Spring | 28 Sep – 13 Oct | - |
| 4 | 14 Oct – 17 Dec | - |
| Summer | 18 Dec – 28 Jan 2027 | - |
See: education.wa.edu.au.
South Australia (SA), Tasmania (TAS), Northern Territory (NT), Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- SA: Term 1: 28 Jan–3 Apr; similar pattern. Verify: education.sa.gov.au.
- TAS: Term 1: 27 Jan–9 Apr. Check: education.tas.gov.au.
- NT: Term 1: 28 Jan–2 Apr. See: education.nt.gov.au.
- ACT: Aligns closely with NSW. Verify: act.gov.au/education.
Pro tip: Cross-state families should note differences for shared custody or travel.
Public Holidays Impacting 2026 School Breaks
Key dates:
- Australia Day: 26 Jan (Mon, extends Term 1 start).
- Easter: 3–6 Apr (falls in Term 1/autumn break).
- ANZAC Day: 25 Apr (Term 2 start).
- King’s Birthday: Varies (June/July, often mid-term).
- AFL Grand Final (VIC): Oct long weekend.
These create ‘holiday hacks’ for extra days off.
Family Travel Tips for 2026 School Holidays
School holidays spike demand for flights and accommodations. Book early:
- Autumn (Apr): Cooler weather; Great Ocean Road (VIC) or Blue Mountains (NSW).
- Winter (Jul): Skiing in NSW/VIC Alps or tropical QLD escapes.
- Spring (Oct): Whale watching WA/SA, or Gold Coast theme parks.
- Summer (Dec-Jan): Beach holidays, Uluru, or Sydney NYE fireworks.
Budget hacks:
- Travel shoulder periods (e.g., last week of term).
- Domestic flights via Qantas/Jetstar deals.
- Campgrounds via national parks apps.
- Road trips: Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road.
Use school holiday calendars for apps like TripView or Kayak filters.
Activities and Childcare During Holidays
- Free options: Local council programs, beaches, bushwalks.
- Paid: Theme parks (Dreamworld QLD), zoos (Taronga NSW).
- Childcare: Vacation care via schools or apps like CareforKids.
Remote work? Many spots offer family-friendly co-working.
Where to Verify Official 2026 Dates
- Visit your state education department site (links above).
- Download PDFs from school portals.
- Apps: SchoolMyKids or state-specific calendars.
- Subscribe to newsletters for updates.
By planning with these indicative school holidays and term dates 2026, your family can enjoy stress-free breaks. Always double-check for changes due to events like Olympics aftermath or weather. Safe travels!
(Word count: 748)