When Are School Holidays in 2026? Australian Dates Guide

· when are school holidays in 2026

Understanding School Holidays in Australia for 2026

Planning family activities around school holidays is essential for Australian parents. If you’re searching ‘when are school holidays in 2026’, note that dates vary by state and territory due to local education policies, public holidays, and Easter timing. These periods typically include four main breaks: Autumn (Easter), Winter, Spring, and Summer.

Exact dates for 2026 are set by each state’s education department and may shift slightly. This guide provides indicative dates based on historical patterns and preliminary calendars. Families must verify with official state websites, such as NSW Education, VIC DET, or your local department, as they release confirmed calendars 12-18 months in advance.

School terms usually follow a 10-11 week structure per term, with 2-week holidays except for the longer Summer break (6-8 weeks).

Indicative School Term and Holiday Dates for 2026

Here’s a breakdown by state and territory. Dates are approximate and inclusive of student-free days where applicable. Always check for updates, especially around public holidays like Australia Day (Jan 26), Anzac Day (April 25), and King’s Birthday (varies).

New South Wales (NSW)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 10 Apr (Autumn holidays: 13 Apr – 27 Apr)
  • Term 2: 28 Apr – 26 Jun (Winter holidays: 29 Jun – 13 Jul)
  • Term 3: 14 Jul – 25 Sep (Spring holidays: 28 Sep – 12 Oct)
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 18 Dec (Summer holidays: 19 Dec 2026 – 28 Jan 2027)

Victoria (VIC)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 2 Apr (Autumn: 3 Apr – 20 Apr)
  • Term 2: 21 Apr – 26 Jun (Winter: 27 Jun – 11 Jul)
  • Term 3: 12 Jul – 18 Sep (Spring: 19 Sep – 3 Oct)
  • Term 4: 4 Oct – 18 Dec (Summer: 19 Dec 2026 – 27 Jan 2027)

Queensland (QLD)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 3 Apr (Easter: 4 Apr – 21 Apr)
  • Term 2: 22 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 (Summer: 12 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027)

Western Australia (WA)

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 3 Apr (Autumn: 6 Apr – 24 Apr)
  • Term 2: 27 Apr – 27 Jun (Winter: 30 Jun – 18 Jul)
  • Term 3: 21 Jul – 25 Sep (Spring: 28 Sep – 12 Oct)
  • Term 4: 13 Oct – 17 Dec (Summer: 18 Dec 2026 – 28 Jan 2027)

South Australia (SA)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 9 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 – 4 Dec (Summer: 5 Dec 2026 – 27 Jan 2027)

Tasmania (TAS)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 27 Mar (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 – 16 Dec (Summer: 17 Dec 2026 – 28 Jan 2027)

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Similar to NSW:

  • Term 1: 27 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

Northern Territory (NT)

  • Term 1: 27 Jan – 2 Apr (Autumn: 3 Apr – 20 Apr)
  • Term 2: 21 Apr – 3 Jul (Winter: 6 Jul – 20 Jul)
  • Term 3: 21 Jul – 26 Sep (Spring: 29 Sep – 13 Oct)
  • Term 4: 14 Oct – 4 Dec (Summer: 5 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027)

Key Public Holidays Impacting 2026 Holidays

Public holidays can extend breaks:

  • Australia Day: Mon 26 Jan
  • Good Friday: 3 Apr, Easter Mon 6 Apr
  • Anzac Day: Mon 25 Apr
  • King’s Birthday: Varies (e.g., Jun 8 in most states)
  • Labor Day: Mar (VIC, TAS) or Oct (NSW, ACT)
  • Christmas: 25-28 Dec

These often align with or add to holidays, creating longer family time.

Planning Family Travel During 2026 School Holidays

School holidays are peak travel times. Here’s how to make the most:

Domestic hotspots like the Gold Coast, Great Ocean Road, or Uluru fill fast. Aim to book flights and accommodations 6-9 months ahead via sites like Qantas, Virgin Australia, or Booking.com. For Winter holidays (Jun-Jul), ski resorts in VIC/NSW (Thredbo, Perisher) require early reservations.

Budget-Friendly Travel Tips

  • Road Trips: Explore national parks like Kakadu (NT, dry season Jul-Sep) or Blue Mountains (NSW). Use apps like WikiCamps for free camping.
  • Staycations: Sydney families can visit Taronga Zoo; Melbourne, Phillip Island penguins.
  • Deals: Watch for holiday packages on Expedia or state tourism sites (e.g., Visit Victoria).

Interstate Holiday Alignment

If travelling across states, align with overlapping breaks. E.g., Autumn holidays mostly mid-Apr; Winter early Jul.

Family-Friendly Activities

  • Summer 2026/27: Beach holidays in QLD/NSW.
  • Spring: Whale watching in WA/VIC.
  • Winter: Theme parks (Dreamworld, Sea World) or snow trips.

How to Stay Updated and Verify Dates

  1. Visit your state education department website (e.g., education.nsw.gov.au, education.vic.gov.au).
  2. Subscribe to newsletters or use calendars from Education Perfect or Skoolbag apps.
  3. Check for non-government school variations (often similar but confirm with your school).
  4. Follow tourism boards for holiday event calendars.

Final Thoughts

School holidays in 2026 offer prime family bonding time, whether skiing, beach-hopping, or exploring cities. With indicative dates above, start planning now—but always confirm with official sources to avoid surprises. Safe travels and enjoy the breaks!

(Word count: 812. Dates indicative as of 2025 patterns; subject to change.)