School Holidays 2026 to 2027: Australia Guide

· school holidays 2026 to 2027

Introduction to School Holidays 2026 to 2027

For Australian families, knowing school holidays 2026 to 2027 in advance helps with booking family travel, organising childcare, and making the most of time off. School calendars vary by state and territory, typically featuring four terms with breaks in summer, autumn, winter, and spring. These projected dates are based on historical patterns and announcements up to 2025. Always verify exact dates with your state or territory education department website, as they may adjust for public holidays or other factors. This guide covers all jurisdictions to assist planning across Australia.

Typical Structure of the Australian School Year

Australia’s school year runs from late January to mid-December, divided into:

  • Term 1: Late January to early April (autumn holidays).
  • Term 2: Mid-April to early July (winter holidays).
  • Term 3: Mid-July to early October (spring holidays).
  • Term 4: Mid-October to mid-December (summer holidays into January).

Public holidays like Australia Day, Easter, and King’s Birthday can extend breaks. Non-government schools may differ slightly. Use this as a starting point for 2026 to 2027.

Projected School Holidays 2026 by State and Territory

Here’s a table of estimated holiday periods for 2026. Dates are approximate; confirm officially.

State/TerritorySummer 2025-2026AutumnWinterSpringSummer 2026-2027
NSW20 Dec 2025 - 28 Jan 20263-19 Apr26 Jun - 12 Jul28 Sep - 11 Oct18 Dec 2026 - 29 Jan 2027
VIC22 Dec 2025 - 27 Jan 20263-20 Apr29 Jun - 13 Jul26 Sep - 11 Oct18 Dec 2026 - 26 Jan 2027
QLD12 Dec 2025 - 27 Jan 20263-14 Apr29 Jun - 13 Jul23 Sep - 6 Oct11 Dec 2026 - 24 Jan 2027
SA19 Dec 2025 - 27 Jan 20263-20 Apr4 Jul - 18 Jul26 Sep - 13 Oct12 Dec 2026 - 26 Jan 2027
WA19 Dec 2025 - 28 Jan 20263 Apr - 21 Apr4 Jul - 21 Jul26 Sep - 13 Oct10 Dec 2026 - 28 Jan 2027
TAS20 Dec 2025 - 28 Jan 202610-27 Apr6 Jul - 20 Jul6 Oct - 20 Oct18 Dec 2026 - 2 Feb 2027
NT19 Dec 2025 - 2 Feb 20263-20 Apr29 Jun - 13 Jul29 Sep - 13 Oct11 Dec 2026 - 28 Jan 2027
ACT20 Dec 2025 - 28 Jan 20263-20 Apr29 Jun - 13 Jul29 Sep - 13 Oct18 Dec 2026 - 31 Jan 2027

Note: These align with common patterns. For example, NSW and ACT often sync, while WA has unique timings.

Projected School Holidays 2027 by State and Territory

For 2027, projections continue the pattern. Easter timing (around late March/early April) influences autumn breaks.

State/TerritorySummer 2026-2027AutumnWinterSpringSummer 2027-2028
NSW18 Dec 2026 - 29 Jan 20272-18 Apr26 Jun - 12 Jul27 Sep - 11 Oct17 Dec 2027 - 28 Jan 2028
VIC18 Dec 2026 - 26 Jan 20272-19 Apr29 Jun - 13 Jul25 Sep - 10 Oct17 Dec 2027 - 27 Jan 2028
QLD11 Dec 2026 - 24 Jan 20272-13 Apr28 Jun - 12 Jul22 Sep - 5 Oct10 Dec 2027 - 23 Jan 2028
SA12 Dec 2026 - 26 Jan 20272-19 Apr3 Jul - 17 Jul25 Sep - 12 Oct10 Dec 2027 - 25 Jan 2028
WA10 Dec 2026 - 28 Jan 20272 Apr - 20 Apr3 Jul - 20 Jul25 Sep - 12 Oct9 Dec 2027 - 27 Jan 2028
TAS18 Dec 2026 - 2 Feb 20279-26 Apr5 Jul - 19 Jul5 Oct - 19 Oct17 Dec 2027 - 1 Feb 2028
NT11 Dec 2026 - 28 Jan 20272-19 Apr28 Jun - 12 Jul28 Sep - 12 Oct10 Dec 2027 - 27 Jan 2028
ACT18 Dec 2026 - 31 Jan 20272-19 Apr28 Jun - 12 Jul27 Sep - 11 Oct17 Dec 2027 - 28 Jan 2028

Planning Family Travel During School Holidays 2026 to 2027

School holidays mean peak travel times. Book flights, accommodation, and attractions early, especially for summer breaks spanning Christmas and New Year. Popular spots include:

  • Gold Coast or Sydney for beach holidays (QLD/NSW summer peaks).
  • Great Ocean Road or Tasmania for cooler escapes.
  • Outback adventures in NT/SA during winter.

Budget tips: Look for holiday packages via Tourism Australia. Drive holidays save costs—plan routes using apps like WikiCamps. Check for school holiday events like festivals or markets on state tourism sites.

Consider inter-state overlaps: NSW/VIC summer holidays align for joint family trips to shared borders.

Public Holidays Impacting School Breaks

Key 2026-2027 dates:

  • Australia Day: 26 Jan (extends some summer holidays).
  • Easter: 3-6 Apr 2026; 28-31 Mar 2027 (boosts autumn breaks).
  • Anzac Day: 25 Apr.
  • King’s Birthday: Varies (Jun/Jul in most states, extends winter).

These create long weekends. For full lists, visit Fair Work Australia.

How to Stay Updated and Verify Dates

Official sources:

  • NSW: education.nsw.gov.au
  • VIC: education.vic.gov.au
  • QLD: qld.gov.au/education
  • Others: Search ‘[state] education department school term dates’.

Education departments release calendars 12-18 months ahead. Subscribe to newsletters or use apps like School Holidays Australia for reminders. Non-public schools post on MySchool.edu.au.

Final Tips for Families

Create a shared calendar for holidays 2026 to 2027. Balance travel with rest—local parks or museum passes offer low-cost fun. For working parents, explore holiday programs via council websites. By planning now, avoid last-minute stress and enjoy quality family time.

This guide provides a practical overview (approx. 850 words). Verify all dates officially for accuracy.