School Holidays 2025 to 2026: Australian Guide

· school holidays 2025 to 2026

Introduction to School Holidays 2025 to 2026

Planning family time around school holidays 2025 to 2026 is essential for Australian parents. School terms vary by state and territory, with four main terms each year separated by holidays: autumn, winter, spring, and summer. These breaks offer opportunities for rest, local outings, or travel, but dates differ across New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC), Queensland (QLD), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA), Tasmania (TAS), Northern Territory (NT), and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

Exact dates for 2025 and 2026 have been announced by most education departments, but families must verify them directly with official state websites, as they can change due to public holidays or emergencies. This guide provides an overview based on current announcements to help you start planning school holidays 2025 to 2026.

School Term Dates and Holidays by State

Australia’s school calendar typically runs from late January to mid-December, with holidays aligning roughly as follows: Term 1 ends late March/early April (autumn), Term 2 mid-June to mid-July (winter), Term 3 late September (spring), and summer from mid-December to late January.

New South Wales (NSW)

NSW public schools follow a standard calendar. For 2025:

  • Term 1: 30 Jan – 11 Apr (autumn holidays 14 Apr – 25 Apr)
  • Term 2: 28 Apr – 6 Jul (winter 9 Jul – 20 Jul)
  • Term 3: 22 Jul – 26 Sep (spring 29 Sep – 13 Oct)
  • Term 4: 14 Oct – 19 Dec

Into 2026: Summer holidays 20 Dec 2025 – 28 Jan 2026. Check nsw.gov.au for updates.

Victoria (VIC)

Victorian dates emphasise student wellbeing. 2025 tentative:

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 4 Apr (holidays 7 Apr – 20 Apr)
  • Term 2: 22 Apr – 6 Jun & 23 Jun – 4 Jul (winter 7 Jul – 18 Jul)
  • Term 3: 22 Jul – 19 Sep (spring 23 Sep – 6 Oct)
  • Term 4: 7 Oct – 19 Dec 2026 starts 27 Jan. Verify at education.vic.gov.au.

Queensland (QLD)

Queensland has regional variations but a statewide calendar. 2025:

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 4 Apr (holidays 8 Apr – 22 Apr)
  • Term 2: 23 Apr – 27 Jun (winter 30 Jun – 14 Jul)
  • Term 3: 15 Jul – 19 Sep (spring 23 Sep – 6 Oct)
  • Term 4: 7 Oct – 12 Dec Summer to 27 Jan 2026. See qld.gov.au.

South Australia (SA)

SA 2025:

  • Term 1: 29 Jan – 11 Apr (14 Apr – 27 Apr)
  • Term 2: 28 Apr – 4 Jul (7 Jul – 20 Jul)
  • Term 3: 22 Jul – 26 Sep (29 Sep – 14 Oct)
  • Term 4: 15 Oct – 19 Dec 2026: 27 Jan start. education.sa.gov.au.

Western Australia (WA)

WA 2025:

  • Term 1: 30 Jan – 4 Apr (7 Apr – 21 Apr)
  • Term 2: 22 Apr – 27 Jun (30 Jun – 13 Jul)
  • Term 3: 15 Jul – 20 Sep (23 Sep – 6 Oct)
  • Term 4: 7 Oct – 11 Dec Summer to 28 Jan 2026. education.wa.edu.au.

Tasmania (TAS)

TAS 2025:

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 4 Apr (7 Apr – 21 Apr)
  • Term 2: 22 Apr – 4 Jul (7 Jul – 21 Jul)
  • Term 3: 22 Jul – 26 Sep (29 Sep – 13 Oct)
  • Term 4: 14 Oct – 19 Dec 2026: 28 Jan. schools.tas.edu.au.

Northern Territory (NT)

NT 2025:

  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 11 Apr (14 Apr – 28 Apr)
  • Term 2: 29 Apr – 4 Jul (7 Jul – 21 Jul)
  • Term 3: 22 Jul – 26 Sep (29 Sep – 13 Oct)
  • Term 4: 14 Oct – 12 Dec To 28 Jan 2026. education.nt.gov.au.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

ACT aligns closely with NSW. 2025:

  • Term 1: 29 Jan – 11 Apr (14 Apr – 27 Apr)
  • Term 2: 28 Apr – 4 Jul (7 Jul – 20 Jul)
  • Term 3: 22 Jul – 26 Sep (29 Sep – 14 Oct)
  • Term 4: 15 Oct – 19 Dec 2026: 28 Jan. act.gov.au.

Note: Private schools and Catholic systems may vary slightly. Always confirm with your school or state department for the latest school holidays 2025 to 2026 dates.

Planning Tips for School Holidays 2025 to 2026

Start early to avoid peak pricing. Book flights and accommodations 3-6 months ahead for summer 2025-2026, which spans the longest break (6-7 weeks). Use tools like the Department of Education calendars or apps like School Holidays Australia.

Budget wisely: Expect 20-50% higher costs during holidays. Look for family deals on sites like Expedia or Booking.com. Consider school holiday programs via local councils for free or low-cost activities.

Create a calendar: Mark holidays alongside public holidays like Australia Day (26 Jan), Easter (varies, often in Term 1 holidays), Anzac Day (25 Apr), King’s Birthday (varies by state), and Christmas.

Family Travel Ideas During School Holidays

Autumn and Spring Breaks (2 weeks)

Short breaks suit road trips. In NSW/VIC, explore the Blue Mountains or Great Ocean Road. QLD families can head to Sunshine Coast beaches. Budget: $500-1500 per family.

Winter Holidays (2 weeks)

Cooler weather calls for indoor fun or snow trips. TAS/WA ski to Ben Lomond or Thredbo (NSW). NT/QLD opt for indoor water parks or museums. Flights from Perth to Sydney: ~$200 return.

Summer Holidays 2025-2026 (6-7 weeks)

Prime travel time. Interstate: Drive the Great Ocean Road (VIC) or fly to Cairns (QLD) for reef adventures. International: Bali or NZ for families, with direct flights from major cities. Camp in national parks for affordability – Kakadu (NT) or Daintree (QLD).

Staycations save money: Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, Melbourne’s Scienceworks, or Brisbane’s South Bank. Check Tourism Australia for holiday packages.

Health and Safety During Holidays

Pack sunscreen, hats, and hydration gear for Aussie summers. Monitor weather apps for bushfire or flood risks. For travel, ensure kids’ vaccinations are current and have travel insurance.

Conclusion

School holidays 2025 to 2026 provide cherished family memories, whether relaxing at home or adventuring across Australia. By checking official state education department websites now, you can lock in plans confidently. Happy holidays!

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