Australia School Holidays 2026: Dates for All States

Planning a 2026 trip around Australian school holidays? Here’s the catch: there’s no single national calendar. Each state and territory sets its own term dates, and variations can catch even seasoned planners off guard. This guide lays out verified official dates for every Australian state and territory, so you can lock in your plans with confidence before the summer rush.

NSW Summer Holidays 2026-27: 18 Dec 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 · ACT Summer Holidays 2026-27: 19 Dec 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 · WA Term 4 End 2026: 17 Dec 2026 · QLD School Days 2026: 195 days · NSW Spring Holidays 2026: 28 Sep – 9 Oct

What are the school holidays in Australia?

Australian school holidays vary significantly by state, with each jurisdiction setting its own term dates and holiday windows. There is no single national school calendar—all eight states and territories operate independently, creating real complexity for families planning trips or childcare across state lines.

Australia’s school year divides into four terms, with three set holiday periods between them: autumn break (April), winter break (July), and spring break (September/October). A longer summer break spans from December into late January or early February. According to Tourism Australia (national tourism body), these variations mean peak travel periods shift depending on which state your children attend school in.

National overview

• Most states begin Term 1 between 27 January and 9 February 2026
• Autumn holidays typically fall mid-April to early May
• Winter break clusters around early-to-mid July
• Spring holidays align late September to mid-October
• Summer break runs December through late January 2027

Key holiday periods

The critical holiday windows for 2026 cluster into four main blocks. First, the autumn break spans roughly 7–19 April across most states. Second, winter holidays fall around 6–26 July, with Tasmania’s break ending notably later. Third, spring holidays cluster late September through early October. Fourth, the summer break stretches from mid-December 2026 into late January or early February 2027.

The implication: families with children in different states may face overlapping holidays for some periods but completely mismatched breaks for others. Queensland state schools have exactly 195 school days in 2026 (Queensland Education official), which ranks among the shorter school years nationally.

What are the dates for NSW school holidays 2026?

NSW operates a unique two-division system, with schools split into Eastern and Western divisions that follow staggered start dates. The NSW Government (official state authority) maintains this distinction, which significantly affects when families across the state begin and end their school year.

Spring holidays

NSW Spring holidays 2026 run from Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026. This two-week break marks the transition between Term 3 and Term 4. For Sydney families, this window aligns closely with ACT schools, which also begin their spring break around late September.

Summer holidays 2026-27

NSW Summer holidays 2026-27 span from Friday 18 December 2026 to Wednesday 3 February 2027. This represents approximately seven weeks of break—the longest summer holiday period among major Australian states. The NSW Department of Education (official calendar authority) confirms this window, though families should verify with individual schools regarding teacher professional development days that may extend the break.

What this means: the extended summer break creates both opportunity and competition for travel bookings. Families planning interstate trips during January should book accommodations and attractions early, as this period sees significant domestic tourism demand across Australia.

How long is summer break in Australia?

Summer break duration varies notably by state, ranging from approximately six weeks in the ACT to seven weeks in NSW. The Tourism Australia overview confirms these regional differences, which affect everything from travel pricing to campsite availability.

State variations

• NSW: approximately 7 weeks (18 Dec 2026 – 3 Feb 2027)
• ACT: approximately 6 weeks (19 Dec 2026 – 1 Feb 2027)
• Victoria: approximately 6 weeks (19 Dec 2026 – 28 Jan 2027)
• Queensland: approximately 6 weeks (12 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027)
• Western Australia: approximately 7 weeks (18 Dec 2026 – 4 Feb 2027)

Typical length

The average summer break across Australian states spans six to seven weeks, with most states resuming Term 1 between 27 January and 9 February 2027. This consistency masks important nuances: states ending their school year earlier (like Queensland on 11 December) can start summer holidays sooner but also resume earlier, while states with later Term 4 endings enjoy longer breaks but shorter windows for post-school-year travel.

The trade-off: Queensland families get the shortest summer break but gain the most predictable calendar. NSW families enjoy the longest break but face more competition for January travel bookings. For families considering inter-state travel, aligning with states on their longest breaks can stretch vacation time significantly.

What are the terms of school in Australia?

Australian schools operate on a four-term structure, though the exact dates, term lengths, and holiday durations vary by state. This decentralized approach means each state education department publishes its own official calendar, creating a landscape where one family’s school holidays may not match another’s across state lines.

Term 1-4 dates

Victoria provides the clearest four-term structure for 2026, with Term 1 running 27 January to 2 April, Term 2 from 20 April to 26 June, Term 3 from 13 July to 18 September, and Term 4 from 5 October to 18 December (Victoria Department of Education). Queensland follows a similar pattern but starts students slightly earlier on 27 January and ends Term 4 earlier on 11 December.

NSW adds complexity with its dual-division system. Schools in the Western Division start Term 1 one week later than those in the Eastern Division, with Eastern beginning 2 February and Western following on 9 February 2026. The NSW Government explains this arrangement accommodates regional differences in agricultural communities and remote area logistics.

Public holidays impact

Public holidays significantly shape holiday timing across states. Easter Monday 2026 falls on 6 April, which compresses the NSW Autumn holidays since schools cannot require attendance on public holidays. According to NSW Department of Education (official calendar), Easter Monday affects when schools can schedule the start of the autumn break, creating subtle variations that catch families unfamiliar with the rules.

The pattern: states with major public holidays falling within term dates typically build those days into the school calendar without adding additional break days. Families should check whether their child’s school observes state-specific public holidays (like Adelaide Cup Day in South Australia or Melbourne Cup Day in Victoria) that may create one-off variations from standard state dates.

What are Victoria school holidays 2026?

Victoria’s 2026 school calendar follows a clear four-term structure published by the Victoria Department of Education (official government source). The state has consistently maintained this structure in recent years, providing predictability for families planning around the school calendar.

Melbourne dates

• Term 1: 27 January – 2 April (students start Wed 28 Jan)
• Term 1 holidays: 3 April – 17 April
• Term 2: 20 April – 26 June
• Term 3: 13 July – 18 September
• Term 4: 5 October – 18 December

All terms overview

Victoria’s autumn holidays (3–17 April 2026) align closely with NSW, though Victoria’s Term 1 holiday period begins two days earlier. The state’s spring break runs 19 September to 5 October 2026, slightly overlapping with NSW’s 28 September – 9 October window but starting a week earlier.

The implication: Melbourne families have a slight edge when booking spring break travel, as Victoria’s holidays begin before NSW’s. However, this advantage only materializes for destinations where earlier booking correlates with better availability or pricing.

What day do Australians go back to school in 2026?

Australian schools resume in 2026 across a window spanning approximately two weeks, with states choosing start dates between 27 January and 9 February. This variation reflects deliberate policy decisions by state education departments, balancing teacher professional development needs against family convenience and alignment with national sporting events.

State start dates Term 1

Most Australian students return to school in late January or early February for Term 1, with the exact timing depending on their state or territory. The table below summarizes the key start dates across all jurisdictions.

Post-summer

Most Australian students return to school in late January or early February 2027 for Term 1. The exact dates will follow patterns similar to 2026, with Queensland likely starting first around 27 January, followed by Victoria and ACT, and NSW/WA/Tasmania beginning in early February. Victoria Department of Education typically publishes the following year’s calendar by mid-year, giving families several months to prepare.

What to watch: several states distinguish between teacher return dates and student start dates. Queensland schools, for instance, have teachers report on 22 January while students begin on 27 January 2026. This teacher-first model allows for professional development and classroom preparation but means families with both teachers and students may have a five-day gap before full household routines resume.

Australia School Holiday Dates 2026: All States Compared

Eleven distinct education systems operate across Australian states, territories, and the dual-division NSW structure, each publishing their own official term dates for 2026.

The catch: Queensland and Northern Territory schools end their academic year on 11 December 2026, roughly a week earlier than states like NSW, Victoria, and ACT (which end 18 December). This difference creates a distinct early-summer travel window for families in these jurisdictions, before the national peak travel period begins around mid-December.

Official 2026 Term Dates by State

Verified facts from official state education departments confirm specific term date ranges across major Australian states for 2026.

The pattern: most states cluster their term 1 starts around late January to early February, but Queensland breaks the mold by running Term 1 continuously from late January through early June before the winter break. This longer first term accommodates Queensland’s earlier school year start but compresses the winter break into a single extended period spanning June through early July.

— NSW Government, on Western Division start dates

— Queensland Education, official school calendar

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These comprehensive 2026 schedules cover summer breaks for all states, while the July school holidays by state align perfectly with winter family travel plans.

Frequently asked questions