Victoria School Holidays & Public Holidays 2026
Planning Victoria School Holidays and Public Holidays for 2026
For Australian families in Victoria, knowing school holidays and public holidays is essential for organising family trips, work leave, and daily routines. The 2026 calendar follows typical patterns set by the Victorian Department of Education, with four school terms and breaks in between. Public holidays add extra long weekends, perfect for short getaways.
Important disclaimer: These dates are tentative, based on historical patterns and projected calendars. School term dates can shift slightly due to Easter timing or policy changes, and public holidays like Easter vary yearly. Always verify with the official Victorian Department of Education website (education.vic.gov.au) or your child’s school. Contact your local state education department for confirmed student-free days and teacher professional development days.
This guide helps you map out the year, spot long weekends, and get practical tips for family travel within Australia.
Tentative Victoria School Term Dates 2026
Victorian government and most independent schools follow a similar structure: about 10 weeks per term, with holidays aligned across sectors where possible.
Term 1: Tuesday, 27 January – Friday, 27 March 2026
- Duration: Approximately 9 weeks.
- Starts after Australia Day long weekend.
- Ends before Easter, allowing families to travel during the break.
Autumn Holidays: Saturday, 28 March – Sunday, 19 April 2026
- Two-week break incorporating Easter long weekend (Good Friday 3 April to Easter Monday 6 April).
- Ideal for interstate trips to NSW beaches or Tasmania.
Term 2: Monday, 20 April – Friday, 26 June 2026
- Duration: About 10 weeks.
- Includes ANZAC Day (Saturday, 25 April – no substitute day in Victoria).
Winter Holidays: Saturday, 27 June – Sunday, 19 July 2026
- Three-week break over King’s Birthday long weekend (Monday, 8 June, but holidays start later).
- Popular for skiing in the Victorian Alps or family camping.
Term 3: Monday, 20 July – Friday, 25 September 2026
- Duration: 10 weeks.
- Runs through Footy Finals season for AFL fans.
Spring Holidays: Saturday, 26 September – Sunday, 11 October 2026
- Two weeks, great for spring school camps or city escapes.
Term 4: Monday, 12 October – Friday, 18 December 2026
- Duration: About 10 weeks.
- Ends before Christmas, with Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday, 3 November) as a public holiday.
Summer Holidays: Saturday, 19 December 2026 – Tuesday, 26 January 2027
- Six weeks, perfect for beach holidays along the Great Ocean Road or family road trips to Queensland.
These dates apply to government schools; Catholic and independent schools may vary by 1-2 days. Check the Victorian School Calendar for pupil-free days, like the day before Term 1 (Tuesday, 26 January might be affected by Australia Day).
Victoria Public Holidays 2026
Public holidays create long weekends, often aligning with school breaks for extended family time. Here’s the full list for Victoria:
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Start of summer holidays. |
| 26 January | Monday | Australia Day | Three-day weekend; Term 1 starts next day. |
| 9 March | Monday | Labour Day | Mid-Term 1 long weekend. |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday | Easter break start. |
| 4 April | Saturday | Easter Saturday | Retail trading holiday in some areas. |
| 5 April | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Retail trading holiday. |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday | Four-day Easter weekend. |
| 25 April | Saturday | ANZAC Day | Falls on weekend; observed 25 April. |
| 8 June | Monday | King’s Birthday | Three-day weekend before winter holidays. |
| 3 November | Tuesday | Melbourne Cup Day | Mid-Term 4; great for races or picnics. |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day | End of school year. |
| 26 December | Saturday | Boxing Day | Extended holiday period. |
Note: AFL Grand Final Friday (likely late September) may be a public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne – confirm closer to the date. Regional variations exist for some holidays.
Family Travel Tips for 2026 Holidays
Victoria’s school holidays coincide with peaks in domestic travel. Here’s how to make the most:
Long Weekends and Getaways
- Australia Day (23-26 Jan): Head to Phillip Island for penguins or Mornington Peninsula beaches.
- Easter (3-6 Apr): Explore the Yarra Valley wineries (family-friendly options) or Grampians National Park hikes.
- King’s Birthday (6-8 Jun): Ski at Mt Buller or Falls Creek – book early as snow seasons fill fast.
- Melbourne Cup (2-3 Nov): Family day at the races or Spring Racing Carnival events.
School Holiday Destinations
- Autumn/Winter: Gold Coast or Sydney for warmer weather; drive to Adelaide for Coober Pedy adventures.
- Spring/Summer: Great Barrier Reef fly-holidays or Victorian coastal drives (Twelve Apostles).
- Budget tip: Use Regional Victoria for cheaper stays – Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill for history buffs.
Practical Planning Advice
- Book Early: Holidays like summer and winter see high demand for flights via Qantas or Virgin Australia. Use sites like Skyscanner for deals.
- Accommodation: Campgrounds via Parks Victoria or Airbnb for family groups. Check school holiday surcharges.
- Interstate Travel: Note NSW or QLD holidays differ – e.g., QLD has extra mid-year breaks.
- Costs and Budgeting: Expect 20-30% price hikes. Government rebates like Family Travel Assist may apply.
- Safety: Download the VicRoads app for traffic; pack for variable weather (snow in July, heat in Jan).
- Schoolwork: Some holidays include optional remote learning; discuss with teachers.
How to Stay Updated
Subscribe to the Department of Education’s term dates page or apps like School Holidays Australia. For public holidays, visit business.vic.gov.au. Local councils often list region-specific events.
By mapping these tentative 2026 dates now, Victorian families can secure time off, plan memorable trips, and avoid last-minute stress. Safe travels!
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