School Public Holidays 2026: Australia's State-by-State Guide

· school public holidays 2026

Planning Ahead for 2026 School Holidays

For Australian families, knowing the upcoming school public holidays is essential for planning childcare, vacations, and activities well in advance. The year 2026 will follow the standard Australian school term pattern, but exact dates vary significantly by state and territory. Each state’s Department of Education sets its own calendar, leading to differences in term start/end dates, and the timing of mid-term breaks.

This guide provides a clear, practical overview of what families can typically expect for school public holidays in 2026 across Australia. It focuses on the common structures and major closure periods to help you start your planning, with a critical reminder to verify all dates with your relevant state authority later in 2025.

Why Dates Differ Across Australia

Australia has no national school calendar. Factors like local climate (e.g., avoiding extreme summer heat in some states), public holiday placements, and state-specific teacher professional development days cause the variation. For example, the Easter long weekend and ANZAC Day will create a cluster of public holidays, but the associated school break (often a week-long holiday) will be scheduled differently in each state.

Expected 2026 School Holiday Patterns by State

Below is a state-by-state breakdown of the typical holiday structure for 2026. These are projections based on historical patterns and known public holidays. Do not book non-refundable travel based solely on this information.

New South Wales (NSW)

  • Term 1: Late January to early April. Includes a break for Easter (public holidays April 3-6, 2026).
  • Term 2: Mid-April to late June. Includes a one-week mid-term break in June.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Includes a one-week mid-term break in September.
  • Term 4: Early October to mid-December. Schools typically finish before Christmas.
  • Key 2026 Public Holidays impacting schools: Australia Day (Jan 26), Easter (Apr 3-6), ANZAC Day (Apr 25), King’s Birthday (June), Labour Day (Oct), Christmas/Boxing Day.

Victoria (VIC)

  • Term 1: Late January to early April. Easter break aligns with public holidays (Apr 3-6).
  • Term 2: Mid-April to late June. Includes a one-week mid-term break in June.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Includes a one-week mid-term break in September/October.
  • Term 4: Early October to mid-December.
  • Key Note: VIC often has a slightly different mid-term break timing compared to NSW.

Queensland (QLD)

  • Term 1: Late January to early April. Easter break (Apr 3-6).
  • Term 2: Mid-April to late June. Includes a one-week mid-term break in June.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Includes a one-week mid-term break in September.
  • Term 4: Early October to mid-December.
  • Key Note: QLD school years often start a few days earlier than southern states.

South Australia (SA)

  • Term 1: Late January to mid-April. Easter break included.
  • Term 2: Late April to early July. Includes a one-week mid-term break in June.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Includes a one-week mid-term break in September/October.
  • Term 4: Mid-October to mid-December.

Western Australia (WA)

  • Term 1: Late January/early February to mid-April. Easter break included.
  • Term 2: Late April to early July. Includes a one-week mid-term break in June/July.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Includes a one-week mid-term break in September.
  • Term 4: Mid-October to mid-December.
  • Key Note: WA Day public holiday is in early June.

Tasmania (TAS)

  • Term 1: Late January to early April. Easter break included.
  • Term 2: Mid-April to late June. Includes a one-week mid-term break in June.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Includes a one-week mid-term break in September.
  • Term 4: Early October to mid-December.

Northern Territory (NT)

  • Term 1: Late January to early April. Easter break included.
  • Term 2: Mid-April to late June. Includes a one-week mid-term break in June/July.
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September. Includes a one-week mid-term break in September.
  • Term 4: Mid-October to mid-December.
  • Key Note: NT often has a longer Term 1 break for the summer period.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

  • The ACT generally aligns closely with NSW school term dates.

Summary of Major 2026 School Closure Periods

While exact dates differ, all states will have these common, extended closure windows in 2026:

  1. Easter & ANZAC Period (April): A 10-day to two-week break surrounding the Easter long weekend (Apr 3-6) and ANZAC Day (Apr 25).
  2. Mid-Year Break (June/July): A one-week break during Term 2, often coinciding with the King’s Birthday/WA Day public holidays.
  3. Spring Break (September/October): A one-week break during Term 3.
  4. End-of-Year Break (December 2026 - January 2027): A 5-6 week summer holiday, with schools finishing in mid-December 2026 and returning in late January/early February 2027.

Practical Planning Tips for Families

  • Mark Your Calendars Now: Use the typical patterns above to roughly block out potential holiday windows for 2026 planning.
  • Verify in Late 2025: Official 2026 school term calendars are usually published by state education departments between August and November 2025. This is your critical step before making firm plans.
  • Consider Public Holidays: A school public holiday (like Easter Monday) means no school, even if it falls in a term. Always cross-check the official public holiday list with the school calendar.
  • Travel & Accommodation: For popular travel periods (Easter, September break, Christmas), book flights and accommodation as soon as your state’s dates are confirmed, as demand will be high.
  • Childcare: If you require vacation care, providers often open during these breaks. Check with your school or local council for program dates once the term calendar is final.

The Golden Rule: Always Verify

The patterns provided are a helpful starting point for your 2026 family planning. However, the only way to be certain is to consult the official source. Search for “[Your State] Department of Education school term dates 2026” in late 2025. This will give you the definitive, government-approved calendar, ensuring your plans align perfectly with your child’s actual school schedule.

By understanding the typical structure and committing to verify later, Australian families can confidently navigate the school public holidays 2026 and make the most of their time together.