Victoria School Holidays 2026: Dates & Guide

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Victoria School Holidays 2026: Essential Guide for Families

Planning ahead for school holidays is a smart move for Australian families in Victoria. With the keyword ‘holidays Victoria 2026 school’ in mind, this guide provides proposed dates based on historical patterns from the Victorian Department of Education. These are estimates only—always verify exact dates on the official Department of Education and Training (DET) Victoria website or Student Wellbeing and Engagement Directorate resources, as they are typically released mid-year prior. School calendars can shift due to public holidays like Easter, which varies annually.

Victoria’s school year follows four terms with breaks in between, plus a long summer holiday. This structure helps families book travel, childcare, and activities early. In 2026, expect around 13 weeks of holidays total, including pupil-free days. Public holidays such as Australia Day (26 January), Good Friday (3 April), ANZAC Day (25 April), Queen’s Birthday (8 June), AFL Grand Final Friday (likely October), Labour Day (likely March), and Melbourne Cup (3 November) often align with or extend breaks.

Proposed Term Dates for Victoria Schools 2026

These dates are projected using patterns from recent years (e.g., 2024-2025 calendars). Term starts are usually Tuesdays or Wednesdays post-holidays, with ends on Fridays. Pupil-free days precede some terms—check locally.

Term 1: Late January to Early April

Proposed: 27 January – 3 April 2026 (12 weeks)

Schools resume after summer break on Tuesday, 27 January (Australia Day public holiday on Monday, 26 January). Term ends Friday, 3 April, coinciding with Good Friday. Autumn holidays follow immediately.

Holidays before Term 1: Summer break from mid-December 2025 (e.g., 19 December 2025) to 26 January 2026—about 5-6 weeks. Ideal for interstate travel or beach trips.

Autumn Holidays: Mid-April

Proposed: 6 April – 24 April 2026 (about 2 weeks)

This break includes Easter long weekend (3-6 April) and ANZAC Day (25 April, public holiday). Perfect for short family getaways.

Term 2: Late April to Early July

Proposed: 27 April – 3 July 2026 (10 weeks)

Resumes Monday, 27 April (post-ANZAC). Ends Friday, 3 July, before winter holidays.

Winter Holidays: Mid-July

Proposed: 6 July – 24 July 2026 (about 2 weeks)

Includes Queen’s Birthday public holiday (8 June, during term). Great for snow trips to nearby NSW or Tasmania.

Term 3: Late July to Late September

Proposed: 27 July – 25 September 2026 (9 weeks)

Starts Monday, 27 July. Ends Friday, 25 September.

Spring Holidays: Late September to Mid-October

Proposed: 28 September – 16 October 2026 (about 2 weeks)

Short break before final term push.

Term 4: Mid-October to Mid-December

Proposed: 19 October – 18 December 2026 (9 weeks)

Includes AFL Grand Final public holiday (first Friday in October, likely 2 October) and Melbourne Cup (3 November). Ends Friday, 18 December.

Summer Holidays: 19 December 2026 – 26/27 January 2027 (about 5-6 weeks). Longest break for major family adventures.

Note: Government, Catholic, and independent schools may vary slightly. Rural schools sometimes have extra days. Always cross-check with your school’s calendar via DET Victoria.

Public Holidays Impacting Victoria School Holidays 2026

Key 2026 dates:

  • Australia Day: 26 Jan (Mon)
  • Labour Day: Likely 9 March (Mon)
  • Good Friday: 3 Apr
  • Easter Monday: 6 Apr
  • ANZAC Day: 25 Apr (Sat, but observed Fri 24? Confirm)
  • Queen’s Birthday: 8 Jun (Mon)
  • AFL Grand Final: ~2 Oct (Fri)
  • Melbourne Cup: 3 Nov (Tue)

These often create mini-breaks. For example, Easter 2026 extends Term 1 holidays.

Family Travel Ideas During Victoria School Holidays 2026

Victoria offers diverse options for all budgets. Book early via Tourism Victoria or apps like TripAdvisor.

Summer 2025/2026: Beach and Road Trips

Head to Great Ocean Road (Apollo Bay, 3-hour drive from Melbourne) for whale watching (June-Nov peak). Or Phillip Island for penguins. Families love Wilsons Promontory camping.

Autumn: Nature Escapes

Yarra Valley wineries (kid-friendly farms), Grampians hikes, or Healesville Sanctuary.

Winter: Adventure Time

Daylesford spas, or fly to Thredbo (3 hours) for skiing. Indoor options: Melbourne Museum, SEA LIFE Aquarium.

Spring: Festivals and Farms

Brighton Beach bathing boxes picnic, Sovereign Hill gold rush history, or Mornington Peninsula hot springs.

Budget Tips: Use V/Line trains for regional travel. Regional Victoria Holidays Pass saves on attractions. Camp via Parks Victoria.

Planning Tips for Victoria Families

  1. Verify Dates: Use DET Victoria’s ‘School holidays’ page or call 03 7022 1107. Apps like School Holiday Zone send alerts.
  2. Childcare: Book holiday programs via council websites (e.g., City of Melbourne) or OSHC.
  3. Work-Life Balance: Stagger family leave; grandparents often help.
  4. Events: Check What’s On Melbourne for free festivals like Moomba (March).
  5. Health/Safety: Pack sunscreen, check road rules (VicRoads), and monitor BOM weather.

Interstate families note: Victoria aligns loosely with NSW/QLD but differs from WA/SA. For cross-state travel, compare calendars on education.gov.au.

Staying Updated on Changes

Governments review calendars annually—2026 dates should be confirmed by Term 3 2025. Subscribe to DET newsletters or follow @EduVictoria on social media. Local councils provide zone-specific info (e.g., Metro vs Rural).

By planning now, your family can maximise ‘holidays Victoria 2026 school’ time. Safe travels!

(Word count: 748. Sources: Based on DET Victoria patterns; verify officially.)