Australian School Holidays & Terms 2026 Guide
Planning Australian School Holidays and Terms for 2026
As families across Australia 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. School calendars vary by state and territory, typically featuring four terms with holidays in between. These include Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer breaks.
Important note: The dates below are indicative, based on historical patterns and early projections. Official 2026 calendars are usually released by mid-2025. Always verify with your state or territory’s education department website for exact dates, as they can shift slightly due to public holidays or policy changes.
Overview of School Terms Structure
Australian public schools follow a standard four-term year:
- Term 1: Late January/early February to late March/early April (about 10-11 weeks).
- Autumn Holidays: 2 weeks.
- Term 2: Mid-April to late June (9-10 weeks).
- Winter Holidays: 2-3 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 until the next year.
Private schools may align closely but often set their own dates. Non-government schools might start a week earlier in Term 1.
Indicative 2026 School Term Dates by State and Territory
Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of projected dates. Use this for initial planning, but cross-check official sources like education.nsw.gov.au for NSW or education.vic.gov.au for Victoria.
New South Wales (NSW)
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 Jan | 10 Apr |
| 2 | 27 Apr | 26 Jun |
| 3 | 13 Jul | 25 Sep |
| 4 | 12 Oct | 18 Dec |
Holidays: Autumn 11 Apr-26 Apr; Winter 27 Jun-12 Jul; Spring 26 Sep-11 Oct; Summer 19 Dec-28 Jan 2027.
Victoria (VIC)
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 Jan | 2 Apr |
| 2 | 20 Apr | 26 Jun |
| 3 | 13 Jul | 18 Sep |
| 4 | 5 Oct | 18 Dec |
Holidays: Autumn 3 Apr-19 Apr; Winter 27 Jun-12 Jul; Spring 19 Sep-4 Oct; Summer 19 Dec-28 Jan 2027.
Queensland (QLD)
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 Jan | 27 Mar |
| 2 | 14 Apr | 6 Jun |
| 3 | 20 Jul | 25 Sep |
| 4 | 12 Oct | 11 Dec |
Holidays: Autumn 28 Mar-13 Apr; Winter 9 Jun-19 Jul; Spring 26 Sep-11 Oct; Summer 12 Dec-27 Jan 2027.
Western Australia (WA)
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 Jan | 3 Apr |
| 2 | 21 Apr | 27 Jun |
| 3 | 14 Jul | 25 Sep |
| 4 | 12 Oct | 17 Dec |
Holidays: Similar to VIC, with slight variations.
South Australia (SA)
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 Jan | 9 Apr |
| 2 | 27 Apr | 5 Jul |
| 3 | 20 Jul | 25 Sep |
| 4 | 12 Oct | 10 Dec |
Holidays: Autumn 10 Apr-26 Apr; Winter 6 Jul-19 Jul (shorter); Spring 26 Sep-11 Oct.
Tasmania (TAS)
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 Jan | 27 Mar |
| 2 | 14 Apr | 5 Jun |
| 3 | 22 Jul | 18 Sep |
| 4 | 5 Oct | 19 Dec |
Holidays: Aligned with mainland patterns.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Aligns closely with NSW.
Northern Territory (NT)
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 Jan | 2 Apr |
| 2 | 20 Apr | 19 Jun |
| 3 | 6 Jul | 25 Sep |
| 4 | 12 Oct | 4 Dec |
Aligning Holidays for Family Travel
With staggered dates, interstate family reunions require coordination. For example:
- Easter/Autumn (April): Popular for short trips to beaches or cities. QLD starts later than NSW/VIC.
- Winter (June-July): Skiing in VIC/NSW Alps or tropical escapes to QLD.
- Spring (Sept-Oct): Mild weather for national parks or Great Ocean Road drives.
- Summer (Dec-Jan): Peak travel to Uluru, Sydney Harbour, or international flights.
Book early for school holiday peaks—flights and accommodations surge 20-50% in price.
Family Travel Tips for 2026 Holidays
Budgeting and Booking
- Use tools like SchoolHolidays.com.au or state calendars apps.
- Lock in flights 4-6 months ahead via Qantas, Virgin, or Jetstar.
- Consider staycations: Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, Melbourne’s Werribee Open Range, or Gold Coast theme parks.
Activity Ideas by Break
- Autumn: Whale watching in NSW/VIC.
- Winter: Jindabyne snow trips or Cairns reef holidays.
- Spring: Flinders Ranges hikes (SA) or Freycinet (TAS).
- Summer: Road trips along Great Barrier Reef Drive or Nullarbor Plain.
Practical Advice
- Check public holidays (e.g., Australia Day 26 Jan, Anzac Day 25 Apr) as they may extend breaks.
- For remote areas like NT, plan for wet season impacts.
- Enrol kids in holiday programs via PCYC or local councils for working parents.
- Sustainable travel: Opt for trains (e.g., Indian Pacific) or electric rentals.
Staying Updated
Subscribe to newsletters from your state’s education department:
- NSW: schools.nsw.gov.au
- VIC: education.vic.gov.au
- QLD: qld.gov.au/education
Mark your calendar for official releases around August 2025. This guide helps you start planning family adventures in 2026 with confidence.
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