School Holidays & Term Dates Australia 2026

· school holidays term 2026

Planning School Holidays and Term Dates for 2026 in Australia

As families look ahead to 2026, understanding school holidays and term dates is essential for booking family travel, organising childcare, and making the most of time off. Australia’s school calendar varies by state and territory, with public schools typically following four terms per year, interspersed with holidays. Private schools may differ slightly.

Important note: Dates listed here are indicative based on patterns from recent years and early announcements where available. They are not official. Always verify exact dates with your state or territory’s education department website, as they can change due to weather, public health, or policy updates. For 2026, most departments release final calendars in late 2025.

This guide covers public school schedules, helping you align family plans with school holidays across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, and ACT.

General Structure of the 2026 Australian School Year

Australian schools generally run from late January to mid-December, with about 200 teaching days. The structure includes:

  • Term 1: Late January/early February to mid-April (10-11 weeks)
  • Autumn holidays: 2 weeks
  • Term 2: Late April to early July (9-10 weeks)
  • Winter holidays: 2 weeks
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September (10 weeks)
  • Spring holidays: 2 weeks
  • Term 4: Mid-October to mid-December (7-8 weeks)
  • Summer holidays: 6-7 weeks (December to January)

Holidays often align with public holidays like Easter, King’s Birthday, and AFL Grand Final (Victoria-specific). Pupil-free days (staff development) reduce student days by 4-5 per year.

Indicative State-by-State School Term Dates for 2026

Here are projected dates. Check official sources for confirmation.

New South Wales (NSW)

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 10 Apr
  • Autumn: 13 Apr – 27 Apr
  • Term 2: 28 Apr – 26 Jun
  • Winter: 29 Jun – 13 Jul
  • Term 3: 14 Jul – 25 Sep
  • Spring: 28 Sep – 12 Oct
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 18 Dec

NSW holidays include Queen’s Birthday (8 Jun) and Labour Day (5 Oct).

Victoria (VIC)

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 2 Apr
  • Autumn: 3 Apr – 20 Apr
  • Term 2: 21 Apr – 3 Jul
  • Winter: 4 Jul – 18 Jul
  • Term 3: 21 Jul – 25 Sep
  • Spring: 28 Sep – 9 Oct
  • Term 4: 12 Oct – 18 Dec

Features AFL Grand Final long weekend (late Sep/early Oct).

Queensland (QLD)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 3 Apr
  • Autumn: 6 Apr – 17 Apr
  • Term 2: 21 Apr – 26 Jun
  • Winter: 29 Jun – 13 Jul
  • Term 3: 14 Jul – 25 Sep
  • Spring: 28 Sep – 12 Oct
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 11 Dec

Easter and Queen’s Birthday align with breaks.

South Australia (SA)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 9 Apr
  • Autumn: 10 Apr – 27 Apr
  • Term 2: 28 Apr – 5 Jul
  • Winter: 6 Jul – 20 Jul
  • Term 3: 21 Jul – 18 Sep
  • Spring: 21 Sep – 5 Oct
  • Term 4: 6 Oct – 4 Dec

Includes Adelaide Cup Day (early May).

Western Australia (WA)

  • Term 1: 29 Jan – 3 Apr
  • Autumn: 6 Apr – 24 Apr
  • Term 2: 25 Apr – 3 Jul
  • Winter: 4 Jul – 18 Jul
  • Term 3: 21 Jul – 25 Sep
  • Spring: 28 Sep – 12 Oct
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 17 Dec

Labour Day (early Mar) may extend Term 1 break.

Tasmania (TAS)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 27 Mar (short due to Eight Hour Day)
  • Autumn: 30 Mar – 14 Apr
  • Term 2: 15 Apr – 26 Jun
  • Winter: 29 Jun – 13 Jul
  • Term 3: 14 Jul – 25 Sep
  • Spring: 28 Sep – 12 Oct
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 18 Dec

Unique shorter Term 1.

Northern Territory (NT)

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 2 Apr
  • Autumn: 3 Apr – 17 Apr
  • Term 2: 20 Apr – 4 Jul
  • Winter: 7 Jul – 21 Jul
  • Term 3: 22 Jul – 26 Sep
  • Spring: 29 Sep – 13 Oct
  • Term 4: 14 Oct – 11 Dec

Picnic Day (Feb) affects early term.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Aligns closely with NSW:

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 10 Apr
  • Autumn: 13 Apr – 27 Apr
  • Term 2: 28 Apr – 26 Jun
  • Winter: 29 Jun – 13 Jul
  • Term 3: 14 Jul – 25 Sep
  • Spring: 28 Sep – 12 Oct
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 18 Dec

Family Travel Tips for 2026 School Holidays

School holidays mean peak travel times. Book early for domestic flights, holiday parks, and theme parks like Dreamworld (QLD) or Luna Park (VIC/NSW).

  • Autumn (Apr): Cooler weather suits Great Ocean Road (VIC) or Blue Mountains (NSW).
  • Winter (Jul): Ski resorts in VIC/NSW or tropical QLD escapes.
  • Spring (Sep/Oct): Whale watching on NSW coast or wildflower trails in WA.
  • Summer (Dec-Jan): Beach holidays in QLD or family road trips.

Use apps like School Holidays Australia for updates. Consider inter-state overlaps—e.g., VIC and NSW autumn breaks differ by a week. Budget for rising costs; compare sites like Skyscanner.

Public Holidays and Pupil-Free Days in 2026

Key public holidays (vary by state):

  • Australia Day: 26 Jan
  • Good Friday/Easter: 3-6 Apr (approx.)
  • ANZAC Day: 25 Apr
  • King’s Birthday: Jun (dates vary)

Pupil-free days: Typically 4 per year, often start of terms. Check calendars.

Final Advice for Families

Mark your calendar tentatively and subscribe to education department newsletters. For non-public schools, contact directly. This planning ensures stress-free holidays and quality family time in 2026.

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