WA School Holidays 2026: Dates & Planning Guide

· wa school holidays 2026 dates

Why 2026 Dates Aren’t Final Yet

When searching for “wa school holidays 2026 dates”, it’s important to understand that official term calendars for 2026 are not yet published by the WA Department of Education. Final dates are typically released in mid-2025. However, based on historical patterns and the standard 40-week teaching year, we can provide a highly reliable projection to help families with long-term planning. This guide is for planning purposes only. All dates must be confirmed with the official 2026 calendar from the WA Department of Education when released.

The Standard WA Term Pattern

Western Australian government schools generally follow a consistent term structure:

  • Term 1: Late January/early February to mid-April (10 weeks).
  • Term 2: Late April to late June/early July (10 weeks).
  • Term 3: Mid-July to late September (10 weeks).
  • Term 4: Early October to mid-December (10 weeks).

Each term is followed by a holiday break of approximately two weeks, except for the longer Christmas/summer break after Term 4. The first day of Term 1 is always a Monday, and the last day of Term 4 is usually a Friday.

Expected 2026 Term Dates (Projection)

Based on the pattern observed in recent years (2023-2025), the following are the anticipated start and end dates for 2026. These projections account for key fixed public holidays like Labour Day (first Monday in March) and the Queen’s Birthday (last Monday in September/early October).

Term 1 (10 weeks)

  • Start: Monday, 2 February 2026 (Projected)
  • Finish: Friday, 3 April 2026 (Projected)
  • Holiday Break: 6 April – 17 April 2026 (Projected)

Term 2 (10 weeks)

  • Start: Monday, 20 April 2026 (Projected – aligns with day after Easter Monday)
  • Finish: Friday, 26 June 2026 (Projected)
  • Holiday Break: 29 June – 10 July 2026 (Projected)

Term 3 (10 weeks)

  • Start: Monday, 13 July 2026 (Projected)
  • Finish: Friday, 18 September 2026 (Projected)
  • Holiday Break: 21 September – 2 October 2026 (Projected – includes Queen’s Birthday Monday)

Term 4 (11 weeks)

  • Start: Monday, 5 October 2026 (Projected)
  • Finish: Friday, 11 December 2026 (Projected)
  • Summer Break: Commences 14 December 2026

Public Holidays During 2026 School Terms

Several WA public holidays will fall within projected term time, creating long weekends:

  • Labour Day: Monday, 2 March 2026 (Projected – within Term 1)
  • Easter: Easter Monday falls on 6 April 2026, which is projected to be the first day of the Term 1 holidays.
  • Queen’s Birthday: Monday, 28 September 2026 (Projected – within Term 3, near the end)
  • Christmas Day & Boxing Day: Friday 25 & Saturday 26 December 2026 fall in the summer break.

Private and independent schools in WA often have slightly different term dates, sometimes starting a week earlier or later. Always check directly with your child’s specific school for their 2026 calendar.

Important Considerations for Families

1. Teacher Professional Development Days

Each term usually includes one or more student-free days (often called PD days or staff training days) scheduled by individual schools. These are not part of the official term dates and can vary, creating an extra long weekend. These are typically announced by schools in the weeks prior.

2. The Impact of Easter

Easter’s moveable date significantly impacts Term 1 and the start of Term 2. In 2026, Easter Monday (6 April) is projected to be the first day of the Term 1 holidays. This means Term 1 will finish the Friday before (3 April), giving a full two-week break that includes Easter.

3. Regional Variations

While the dates above apply to the vast majority of WA government schools, some remote or community schools, particularly in the Kimberley or Pilbara, may have adjusted calendars to account for local events or weather patterns (like the wet season).

Planning Your 2026 Family Break

With these projections, you can start strategic planning:

  • Holiday Accommodation: Popular destinations like Margaret River, Esperance, or the Ningaloo Reef will see high demand for the July (Term 3) holidays and the December/January summer break. Book these well in advance, often 6-12 months ahead.
  • Travel Deals: Consider travelling during Term 2 (April-June) or Term 4 (October-early December) for potentially better prices and fewer crowds, as these periods don’t coincide with the peak Christmas/summer or July school holidays.
  • Local Activities: Use the projected long weekends around Labour Day (March) and the Queen’s Birthday (September) for short, local getaways or to visit attractions in Perth that are less crowded.

Final Crucial Step: Verification

Before booking any non-refundable travel or activities for 2026, you must verify the final dates. In mid-2025:

  1. Visit the official Western Australian Department of Education website.
  2. Search for “2026 school term dates”.
  3. Confirm the dates for your child’s school sector (government, Catholic, or Independent).
  4. Check your specific school’s website or newsletter for their published calendar, including student-free days.

Using this projected guide responsibly allows for smart, early planning while ensuring you are not caught out by any last-minute adjustments from the official authorities.