If you’re planning a family trip to Australia in 2025, the first thing you’ll want to pin down is the school calendar. With eight states and territories setting their own term dates, the puzzle can seem daunting. This guide breaks down the official 2025 school holiday dates for every major state, from New South Wales to Western Australia, and shows how public holidays line up with school breaks.

4 related posts

States and territories: 8 · Major holiday blocks per year: 4 (autumn, winter, spring, summer) · Summer break duration in NSW: approx. 6 weeks (mid-December to late January) · School term 1 start (earliest): 28 January 2025 (Victoria) · School term 4 end (latest): 24 December 2025 (some states)

Quick snapshot

1New South Wales
2Victoria
3Queensland
4Western Australia
  • Autumn break: 3–19 April (WorldStrides Australia (aggregated 2025 calendar))
  • Winter break: 5–20 July (WA Department of Education (official calendar))
  • Spring break: 27 Sep–12 Oct (WorldStrides Australia (aggregated 2025 calendar))
  • Summer break: 19 Dec–1 Feb 2026 (WorldStrides Australia (aggregated 2025 calendar))

Four key facts that capture the rhythm of the Australian school year, from term length to global comparisons.

Label Value
School year length Approximately 40 weeks (4 terms of 9–10 weeks)
School day (typical) 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Hottest month (Australia) January (average temp ~30°C in many capitals)
Longest summer break globally Italy (approx. 13 weeks); Australia (6 weeks)

The implication: Australia’s calendar prioritises shorter, more frequent breaks over a single long summer vacation.

What are the school terms in Australia?

Standard four-term structure

  • Australian schools generally operate on four terms per year (Victorian Government (official school term dates)).
  • Term 1 runs from late January to early April.
  • Term 2 runs from late April to early July.
  • Term 3 runs from mid-July to late September.
  • Term 4 runs from early October to mid-December.

Typical start and end months for each term

  • Victoria’s 2025 Term 1 starts 28 January (students start 29 January) (Victorian Government (official school term dates)).
  • Victoria’s 2025 Term 2 runs from 22 April to 4 July.
  • Victoria’s 2025 Term 3 runs from 21 July to 19 September.
  • Victoria’s 2025 Term 4 runs from 6 October to 19 December.
  • South Australia’s 2025 Term 2 runs from 28 April to 4 July (South Australian Government (official term dates)).
  • South Australia’s 2025 Term 3 runs from 21 July to 26 September.
  • South Australia’s 2025 Term 4 runs from 13 October to 12 December.
Bottom line: The four-term structure is consistent across Australia, but start and end dates shift by up to two weeks between states. For international families, the key takeaway is that Term 1 begins in late January and Term 4 ends before Christmas.

How long is summer break in Australia?

Duration across states

  • Summer break in Australia lasts approximately 6 weeks, from mid-December to late January.
  • Length varies slightly by state and territory.
  • NSW summer break 2025: 22 December – 26 January 2026 (NSW Department of Education (official term dates)).
  • Victoria summer break 2025: 20 December – 27 January 2026 (Victorian Government (official school term dates)).

Comparison with other countries

  • Australia has one of the longest summer breaks among OECD countries.
  • Italy’s summer break is approximately 13 weeks, more than double Australia’s.
The trade-off

Australian families trade a shorter summer break for more frequent term breaks: autumn, winter, and spring holidays each last about two weeks, making it easier to plan short getaways throughout the year.

What are school holiday dates in NSW?

2025 autumn holiday dates

  • NSW 2025 Autumn holidays: 14 April – 24 April (NSW Department of Education (official term dates)).

2025 winter holiday dates

  • NSW 2025 Winter holidays: 7 July – 18 July (NSW Department of Education (official term dates)).

2025 spring holiday dates

  • NSW 2025 Spring holidays: 29 September – 10 October (NSW Department of Education (official term dates)).

2025 summer holiday dates

  • NSW 2025 Summer holidays: 22 December 2025 – 26 January 2026 (NSW Department of Education (official term dates)).
What to watch

NSW public holidays that fall near school breaks can extend a vacation. For example, Australia Day (27 January) falls just after the summer break ends, and Easter often falls in the autumn break window.

What time do Australian schools start and end?

Typical school day hours

  • Most Australian primary and secondary schools start between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM.
  • School typically ends between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM.
  • Exact times vary by state and individual school (Victorian Government (official school term dates)).

Variation by state and sector

  • Independent schools may start slightly earlier or later; parents should check with their specific school.
  • Some schools have a 7:30 AM start for early drop-off programs.
Bottom line: The standard school day runs from 9:00 AM to 3:15 PM, but the exact bell times are school-specific. For holiday planning, this means morning flights before 10 AM are risky during term.

What dates are public holidays in NSW?

2025 public holidays in NSW

How public holidays affect school attendance

  • Public holidays are generally no-school days.
  • When a public holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday is often a public holiday.
The catch

Public holidays can create a three-day weekend that parents might not anticipate. For example, the King’s Birthday in June gives a Monday off, extending the winter break period if it falls near the start or end of the holiday.

Timeline: Key 2025 school dates

  • 28 Jan – 4 Apr 2025: Victorian Term 1 (students start 29 Jan) (Victorian Government (official school term dates))
  • 14 Apr – 24 Apr 2025: NSW Autumn school holidays (NSW Department of Education (official term dates))
  • 22 Apr – 4 Jul 2025: Victorian Term 2 (Victorian Government (official school term dates))
  • 7 Jul – 18 Jul 2025: NSW Winter school holidays (NSW Department of Education (official term dates))
  • 29 Sep – 10 Oct 2025: NSW Spring school holidays (NSW Department of Education (official term dates))
  • 22 Dec 2025 – 26 Jan 2026: NSW Summer school holidays (NSW Department of Education (official term dates))

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • NSW 2025 autumn break: 14–24 April (NSW Department of Education (official term dates))
  • Victoria term 1 start: 28 January 2025 (Victorian Government (official school term dates))
  • WA term 2 start: 20 April 2025 (WA Department of Education (official calendar))

What’s unclear

  • Exact start time of school day for every school (varies by institution)
  • Whether some independent schools have adjusted holiday dates

What the authorities say

“Our 2025 term dates provide a consistent framework for families across the state, ensuring school holidays align with the major public holidays.”

– NSW Department of Education (official term dates)

“Victorian government schools follow a four-term calendar, with the 2025 school year beginning on 28 January for teachers and 29 January for students.”

– Victorian Government (official school term dates)

For international families planning a move or a long visit, the 2025 Australian school calendar is a manageable puzzle once you know the state-by-state differences. The pattern is clear: term starts in late January, ends in mid-December, with two-week breaks in between. The trade-off is that public holidays can stretch a school break into a long weekend, so check the calendar before booking flights. For parents in NSW, the summer break ends on 27 January – just after Australia Day – making it a natural travel window.

Additional sources

school-informer.com, kiwireview.org, northernsydneysciencehub.org, campaustralia.com.au, qppstudio.net

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Frequently asked questions

Are school holidays the same in every Australian state?

No, each state and territory sets its own term dates. While the four-term structure is universal, the exact start and end dates can differ by up to two weeks (Victorian Government (official school term dates)).

Do private schools follow the same holiday schedule as public schools?

Most private schools align their holidays with the public system, but some independent schools adjust dates slightly. It’s best to check with your specific school.

How are public holidays handled if they fall during school term?

Public holidays are no-school days. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the next Monday is often a public holiday (My New Australian Life (2025-26 public holidays and school terms)).

Can I get a PDF of 2025 school holidays for Australia?

Many state education departments offer downloadable PDFs of their term dates. The NSW Department of Education and Victorian Government both provide PDFs on their websites.

What is the shortest school holiday break in Australia?

Autumn, winter, and spring breaks are each about two weeks. Summer break is the longest at six weeks.

Do Australian schools have a mid-term break?

No, Australian schools do not have a mid-term break. Terms run continuously for 9–10 weeks, with holidays only between terms.