School Holidays 2026 to 2027: Australia Guide
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/Territory | Summer 2025-2026 | Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer 2026-2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 20 Dec 2025 - 28 Jan 2026 | 3-19 Apr | 26 Jun - 12 Jul | 28 Sep - 11 Oct | 18 Dec 2026 - 29 Jan 2027 |
| VIC | 22 Dec 2025 - 27 Jan 2026 | 3-20 Apr | 29 Jun - 13 Jul | 26 Sep - 11 Oct | 18 Dec 2026 - 26 Jan 2027 |
| QLD | 12 Dec 2025 - 27 Jan 2026 | 3-14 Apr | 29 Jun - 13 Jul | 23 Sep - 6 Oct | 11 Dec 2026 - 24 Jan 2027 |
| SA | 19 Dec 2025 - 27 Jan 2026 | 3-20 Apr | 4 Jul - 18 Jul | 26 Sep - 13 Oct | 12 Dec 2026 - 26 Jan 2027 |
| WA | 19 Dec 2025 - 28 Jan 2026 | 3 Apr - 21 Apr | 4 Jul - 21 Jul | 26 Sep - 13 Oct | 10 Dec 2026 - 28 Jan 2027 |
| TAS | 20 Dec 2025 - 28 Jan 2026 | 10-27 Apr | 6 Jul - 20 Jul | 6 Oct - 20 Oct | 18 Dec 2026 - 2 Feb 2027 |
| NT | 19 Dec 2025 - 2 Feb 2026 | 3-20 Apr | 29 Jun - 13 Jul | 29 Sep - 13 Oct | 11 Dec 2026 - 28 Jan 2027 |
| ACT | 20 Dec 2025 - 28 Jan 2026 | 3-20 Apr | 29 Jun - 13 Jul | 29 Sep - 13 Oct | 18 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/Territory | Summer 2026-2027 | Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer 2027-2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 18 Dec 2026 - 29 Jan 2027 | 2-18 Apr | 26 Jun - 12 Jul | 27 Sep - 11 Oct | 17 Dec 2027 - 28 Jan 2028 |
| VIC | 18 Dec 2026 - 26 Jan 2027 | 2-19 Apr | 29 Jun - 13 Jul | 25 Sep - 10 Oct | 17 Dec 2027 - 27 Jan 2028 |
| QLD | 11 Dec 2026 - 24 Jan 2027 | 2-13 Apr | 28 Jun - 12 Jul | 22 Sep - 5 Oct | 10 Dec 2027 - 23 Jan 2028 |
| SA | 12 Dec 2026 - 26 Jan 2027 | 2-19 Apr | 3 Jul - 17 Jul | 25 Sep - 12 Oct | 10 Dec 2027 - 25 Jan 2028 |
| WA | 10 Dec 2026 - 28 Jan 2027 | 2 Apr - 20 Apr | 3 Jul - 20 Jul | 25 Sep - 12 Oct | 9 Dec 2027 - 27 Jan 2028 |
| TAS | 18 Dec 2026 - 2 Feb 2027 | 9-26 Apr | 5 Jul - 19 Jul | 5 Oct - 19 Oct | 17 Dec 2027 - 1 Feb 2028 |
| NT | 11 Dec 2026 - 28 Jan 2027 | 2-19 Apr | 28 Jun - 12 Jul | 28 Sep - 12 Oct | 10 Dec 2027 - 27 Jan 2028 |
| ACT | 18 Dec 2026 - 31 Jan 2027 | 2-19 Apr | 28 Jun - 12 Jul | 27 Sep - 11 Oct | 17 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.