2025 and 2026 Australian School Calendar with Holidays
Planning Your 2025 and 2026 School Calendar with Holidays
Searching for the “2025 and 2026 school calendar with holidays”? Australian families know school terms vary by state and territory, making national planning tricky. This guide provides indicative term dates based on historical patterns and early announcements. Always verify exact dates with your state or territory education department website, as they can change due to public holidays like Easter or unforeseen events.
The standard Australian school year runs four terms, with holidays in between:
- Term 1: Late January to mid-April (10 weeks)
- Autumn holidays: 2 weeks
- Term 2: Late April to early July (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
Public holidays like Australia Day, Anzac Day, and Queen’s Birthday add extra breaks. Use this to plan family travel, childcare, or events.
Indicative School Term Dates for 2025
These dates are projections based on prior years and align with public holidays. Check official sources for confirmation.
Major States Table
| State/Territory | Term 1 | Autumn Holidays | Term 2 | Winter Holidays | Term 3 | Spring Holidays | Term 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 28 Jan–11 Apr | 14–27 Apr | 28 Apr–6 Jul | 7–20 Jul | 21 Jul–26 Sep | 27 Sep–11 Oct | 14 Oct–19 Dec |
| Victoria | 28 Jan–4 Apr | 7–20 Apr | 22 Apr–4 Jul | 5–20 Jul | 21 Jul–19 Sep | 20 Sep–3 Oct | 6 Oct–20 Dec |
| Queensland | 27 Jan–4 Apr | 7–18 Apr | 22 Apr–27 Jun | 30 Jun–14 Jul | 15 Jul–23 Sep | 24 Sep–8 Oct | 14 Oct–12 Dec |
| Western Australia | 28 Jan–4 Apr | 7–18 Apr | 22 Apr–27 Jun | 30 Jun–21 Jul | 22 Jul–27 Sep | 28 Sep–12 Oct | 14 Oct–19 Dec |
| South Australia | 28 Jan–11 Apr | 14–27 Apr | 28 Apr–4 Jul | 7–20 Jul | 21 Jul–19 Sep | 20 Sep–6 Oct | 7 Oct–12 Dec |
| Tasmania | 27 Jan–11 Apr | 14–25 Apr | 28 Apr–4 Jul | 7–18 Jul | 21 Jul–24 Sep | 27 Sep–11 Oct | 14 Oct–19 Dec |
Notes: ACT follows NSW closely; NT varies regionally—check nt.gov.au/schools. Dates account for Easter (20 Apr) and King’s Birthday (9 Jun in most states).
Indicative School Term Dates for 2026
Projections continue the pattern, with Easter on 5 Apr affecting Term 1 ends.
Major States Table
| State/Territory | Term 1 | Autumn Holidays | Term 2 | Winter Holidays | Term 3 | Spring Holidays | Term 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 27 Jan–3 Apr | 6–19 Apr | 20 Apr–3 Jul | 6–19 Jul | 20 Jul–25 Sep | 26 Sep–9 Oct | 13 Oct–18 Dec |
| Victoria | 27 Jan–3 Apr | 6–19 Apr | 20 Apr–3 Jul | 6–19 Jul | 20 Jul–18 Sep | 19 Sep–2 Oct | 5 Oct–19 Dec |
| Queensland | 26 Jan–3 Apr | 6–17 Apr | 20 Apr–26 Jun | 29 Jun–13 Jul | 14 Jul–22 Sep | 23 Sep–7 Oct | 13 Oct–11 Dec |
| Western Australia | 27 Jan–3 Apr | 6–17 Apr | 20 Apr–26 Jun | 27 Jun–20 Jul | 21 Jul–26 Sep | 27 Sep–11 Oct | 13 Oct–18 Dec |
| South Australia | 27 Jan–10 Apr | 13–26 Apr | 27 Apr–3 Jul | 6–19 Jul | 20 Jul–18 Sep | 19 Sep–5 Oct | 6 Oct–11 Dec |
| Tasmania | 26 Jan–10 Apr | 13–26 Apr | 27 Apr–3 Jul | 6–17 Jul | 20 Jul–23 Sep | 26 Sep–9 Oct | 13 Oct–18 Dec |
Notes: Similar to 2025; verify as departments release calendars mid-2025.
Key Public Holidays Impacting School Calendars 2025-2026
These often create pupil-free days or short weeks:
2025:
- Australia Day: 27 Jan (most states)
- Good Friday–Easter Monday: 18–21 Apr
- Anzac Day: 25 Apr
- King’s Birthday: 9 Jun (VIC, NSW, etc.; varies)
- AFL Grand Final (VIC public hol): Oct
2026:
- Australia Day: 26 Jan
- Good Friday–Easter Monday: 3–6 Apr
- Anzac Day: 25 Apr
- King’s Birthday: 8 Jun (most)
Full lists at fairwork.gov.au or state sites. Labour Day and others add regional breaks.
Family Travel Tips Around School Holidays
School holidays mean peak travel times. Here’s practical advice:
Book Early for Popular Spots
Autumn and winter breaks overlap interstate, so Great Ocean Road (VIC) or Gold Coast (QLD) fill fast. Aim 6 months ahead for flights via qantas.com.au or jetstar.com.au.
Budget-Friendly Domestic Trips
- QLD/NSW overlap: Fraser Island or Byron Bay in Apr/Jul.
- VIC/WA: Great Barrier Reef alternatives like Ningaloo (WA) during spring.
- Drive: Sydney to Melbourne (9 hrs) for Term 4—use apps like FuelMap for savings.
Off-Peak Hacks
Travel mid-holiday week to dodge crowds. Regional trains (NSW TrainLink) offer family deals.
Childcare and Activities
Book holiday programs via council sites (e.g., sydney.nsw.gov.au). Museums like Questacon (ACT) have school hol specials.
Interstate Planning
If moving states, align with shortest holidays. Use schoolholidays.com.au for comparisons.
How to Verify and Stay Updated
Official sources trump all:
- NSW: education.nsw.gov.au
- VIC: education.vic.gov.au
- QLD: qld.gov.au/education
- WA: education.wa.edu.au
- SA: education.sa.gov.au
- TAS: education.tas.gov.au
- ACT: education.act.gov.au
- NT: education.nt.gov.au
Departments publish calendars by Term 4 prior year. Apps like School Holidays Australia notify updates.
This calendar helps sketch your year, but confirmation ensures no surprises. Happy planning for family adventures!
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