VIC School Holidays 2026 Calendar Guide
Planning family trips, childcare, or activities far in advance requires a clear view of the school calendar. For Victorian families, the official 2026 school term dates are not yet published by the Victorian Department of Education. However, based on historical patterns and standard term structures, we can create a reliable projected calendar to assist with long-term planning.
Important Disclaimer: This is a Projected Guide The dates below are informed by the typical Victorian school term structure (approximately 10-week terms) and the known 2026 public holiday calendar. They are not official. The final, confirmed 2026 term dates will be published by the Victorian Department of Education in late 2025. All families must verify these dates with their child’s specific school or the official Department website before making non-refundable bookings.
Projected VIC School Holidays 2026 Calendar
The following table outlines the expected term dates and holiday periods for Victorian government schools in 2026. Private and independent schools may have slightly different dates, especially for professional learning days (often called “Curriculum Days” or “Student-Free Days”).
| Term | Start Date (Projected) | End Date (Projected) | Holiday Period (Projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Tuesday, 27 Jan 2026 | Friday, 27 Mar 2026 | 2 weeks (Easter) |
| Term 2 | Monday, 13 Apr 2026 | Friday, 26 Jun 2026 | 2 weeks |
| Term 3 | Monday, 13 Jul 2026 | Friday, 18 Sep 2026 | 2 weeks |
| Term 4 | Monday, 5 Oct 2026 | Friday, 11 Dec 2026 | 6 weeks (Summer) |
Key Notes on the Projection:
- Term 1 Start: Typically begins on Australia Day (26 Jan) or the following day if the 26th is a weekend. 2026, the 26th is a Monday, so schools likely start on Tuesday 27 Jan.
- Easter Break: The 2-week holiday in Term 1 will incorporate the Easter long weekend (Good Friday 3 April, Easter Monday 5 April).
- Queen’s Birthday: The June long weekend (second Monday in June, 14 June 2026) falls within Term 2.
- Melbourne Cup: The first Tuesday in November (3 Nov 2026) is a public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne and some regional areas, often coinciding with a school holiday or a day off for some schools.
- Christmas/New Year: Term 4 concludes in mid-December, leading into the 6-week summer break.
Understanding the Victorian Term Structure
Victorian government schools operate on a southern hemisphere calendar, with the school year starting in late January/early February and finishing in mid-December. The year is divided into four terms, each separated by a two-week holiday period. The only exception is the longer summer holiday.
- Term Durations: Each term is designed to be around 10 weeks of instruction, but this can vary slightly due to how public holidays fall within the term.
- Professional Learning Days: Each school schedules several days per year for staff training and planning. On these days, students do not attend school. These are not part of the standard holiday periods and are set by individual schools. They often occur in the first or last weeks of a term.
- Public Holidays: All nationally recognized public holidays (e.g., Australia Day, Anzac Day) are school holidays. State-specific holidays like the Queen’s Birthday and Melbourne Cup Day are also public holidays and thus school holidays across the relevant areas.
Why You Must Verify in Late 2025
While this projection is highly likely, final dates are confirmed by the Department of Education after considering factors like:
- The precise alignment of Easter, which varies each year.
- Any adjustments to the standard term length.
- The scheduling of statewide professional development days.
- Individual school decisions on their own curriculum days.
When to Check: The official 2026 school term dates are typically released by the Victorian Department of Education in October or November 2025. Bookmark their official website: education.vic.gov.au.
Practical Planning Tips for 2026
Using this projected calendar, families can start strategic planning:
- Travel & Accommodation: For the most popular travel periods (Easter, June/July ski season, September/October long weekends, and Christmas), accommodation and flights book out many months in advance. Use the projected dates to set calendar alerts for when bookings open (often 11-12 months ahead for major airlines and resorts).
- Childcare & Programs: Popular holiday care programs (OSCH - Out of School Hours Care) and vacation care programs at camps or recreation centres have enrolment deadlines. Knowing the approximate holiday weeks helps you prepare to research and book these early.
- Avoiding Peak Prices: If your travel is flexible, consider trips during the shoulder seasons of late January (post-Term 1 start) or late November/early December (before the summer rush). These periods often have better availability and pricing.
- Interstate Travel Context: If planning to travel to or from another state, remember that school term dates differ. For example, NSW and QLD often have slightly different holiday dates, particularly in October. Always check the destination state’s calendar if coordinating with family or avoiding their peak times.
- Mark Your Own School’s Calendar: Once your child’s school publishes its 2026 calendar (usually alongside the term dates), transfer all dates—including curriculum days, sports days, and school-specific events—into your family planner immediately.
Final Checklist Before Booking
Before finalizing any non-refundable plans for 2026 school holidays:
- Verify the official 2026 term dates with the Victorian Department of Education (late 2025).
- Confirm your child’s specific school calendar, noting any additional student-free days.
- Double-check that your travel dates fall entirely within the official holiday period, allowing for travel on the first/last days if needed.
- Review your booking’s cancellation policy carefully, given the provisional nature of these dates.
By using this projected guide as a planning framework and committing to verification later, Victorian families can effectively and confidently organise for 2026.