School Term and Holidays 2026: Australia Guide

· school term and holidays 2026

Planning Ahead: School Term and Holidays 2026 in Australia

As families across Australia look ahead to 2026, understanding school term and holidays 2026 is essential for booking family travel, organising childcare, and making the most of downtime. School calendars vary by state and territory, so this guide provides an overview of proposed dates based on current multi-year planning from education departments. Important: These are indicative dates only. Families must verify exact schedules with their state or territory education department websites, as they can change due to public health, weather, or policy updates.

Australia’s school year typically runs from late January to mid-December, divided into four terms with holidays in between. Public holidays often align with or extend these breaks, creating perfect opportunities for family adventures.

Proposed School Term Dates for 2026 by State and Territory

Here’s a breakdown of expected term start and end dates for 2026. Dates are approximate and follow historical patterns—check official sources for confirmation.

New South Wales (NSW)

  • Term 1: 28 January – 10 April
  • Autumn Holidays: 13 April – 27 April
  • Term 2: 28 April – 3 July
  • Winter Holidays: 6 July – 20 July
  • Term 3: 21 July – 25 September
  • Spring Holidays: 28 September – 12 October
  • Term 4: 13 October – 18 December

Victoria (VIC)

  • Term 1: 28 January – 2 April (earlier finish for some regions)
  • Autumn Holidays: 3 April – 21 April
  • Term 2: 22 April – 3 July
  • Winter Holidays: 4 July – 18 July
  • Term 3: 20 July – 25 September
  • Spring Holidays: 28 September – 9 October
  • Term 4: 13 October – 18 December

Queensland (QLD)

  • Term 1: 27 January – 3 April
  • Easter Holidays: 6 April – 17 April (varies by region)
  • Term 2: 21 April – 26 June
  • Winter Holidays: 29 June – 13 July
  • Term 3: 14 July – 23 September
  • Spring Holidays: 26 September – 11 October
  • Term 4: 13 October – 11 December

Western Australia (WA)

  • Term 1: 29 January – 3 April
  • Autumn Holidays: 6 April – 24 April
  • Term 2: 25 April – 3 July
  • Winter Holidays: 4 July – 21 July
  • Term 3: 22 July – 25 September
  • Spring Holidays: 28 September – 13 October
  • Term 4: 14 October – 17 December (non-government schools may vary)

South Australia (SA)

  • Term 1: 28 January – 9 April
  • Autumn Holidays: 13 April – 27 April
  • Term 2: 28 April – 5 July
  • Winter Holidays: 6 July – 20 July
  • Term 3: 21 July – 25 September
  • Spring Holidays: 28 September – 12 October
  • Term 4: 13 October – 17 December

Tasmania (TAS)

  • Term 1: 28 January – 27 March (10 April for southern schools)
  • Autumn Holidays: Varies regionally, around 30 March – 13 April
  • Term 2: 14 April – 26 June
  • Winter Holidays: 29 June – 13 July
  • Term 3: 14 July – 24 September
  • Spring Holidays: 28 September – 12 October
  • Term 4: 13 October – 18 December

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Aligns closely with NSW:

  • Term 1: 28 January – 10 April
  • Autumn Holidays: 13 April – 27 April
  • Term 2: 28 April – 3 July
  • Winter Holidays: 6 July – 20 July
  • Term 3: 21 July – 25 September
  • Spring Holidays: 28 September – 12 October
  • Term 4: 13 October – 18 December

Northern Territory (NT)

  • Term 1: 28 January – 2 April
  • Autumn Holidays: 3 April – 14 April
  • Term 2: 15 April – 2 July
  • Winter Holidays: 3 July – 20 July
  • Term 3: 21 July – 24 September
  • Spring Holidays: 27 September – 12 October
  • Term 4: 13 October – 11 December

Key Public Holidays Overlapping School Term and Holidays 2026

Public holidays boost holiday periods:

  • Australia Day: 26 January (Term 1 start)
  • Good Friday/Easter: 3–6 April (Autumn holidays)
  • ANZAC Day: 25 April (Term 2 start)
  • King’s Birthday: Varies (June/July, often winter holidays)
  • Labour Day: March/October varies by state
  • Christmas/New Year: End of Term 4 into summer break (19 December 2026 – 28 January 2027)

These create long weekends ideal for short trips.

Family Travel Tips for School Holidays 2026

With school term and holidays 2026 mapped out, plan smart:

Autumn and Easter Break (April)

Head to beaches or cities. Sydney families might road-trip to the Blue Mountains; Queenslanders to the Great Barrier Reef. Book early for Easter peaks.

Winter Holidays (July)

Snow season! Victorian and NSW families can ski at Perisher or Thredbo. Warmer options: Broome (WA) or Cairns (QLD) for reef adventures.

Spring Break (September/October)

Whale watching in NSW or hiking in Tasmania’s national parks. Domestic flights are cheaper mid-holidays.

Summer Break (December–January)

Ultimate family time. Camp in national parks, visit Uluru, or fly to Bali/Queensland islands. Watch for schoolies crowds in QLD/NSW.

Practical Advice:

  • Use school holiday calendars from apps like SchoolMyKids or state tourism sites.
  • Budget for peak pricing; consider mid-week travel.
  • Pack for weather: cold snaps in south, cyclones north.
  • Explore free events via Tourism Australia.

Staying Organised and Updated

Print a custom calendar combining your state’s school term and holidays 2026 with family events. Subscribe to newsletters from your education department (e.g., education.nsw.gov.au, education.vic.gov.au). For travel, check qantas.com or jetstar.com for holiday deals.

By planning around these dates, Australian families can balance work, school, and memorable trips. Verify all dates officially to avoid surprises.

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