Planning ahead for school holidays in Australia can be a bit of a puzzle since each state and territory sets its own dates. If you're after the 2026 school term dates across Australia, from New South Wales to Western Australia, this guide breaks down the key dates and holiday periods for every region. Knowing when terms start and finish helps families plan holidays, childcare, and activities well in advance.
Quick Overview: Australian School Term Dates 2026
- Terms generally start between late January and early February, depending on the state or territory.
- Each term usually runs for around 10 weeks, with slight variations between regions.
- School holidays are split into four main blocks: April (autumn), July (winter), September/October (spring), and December/January (summer).
- Public and private schools mostly follow these dates, but some private schools may have minor differences.
- You need to note that regional areas within states might have slight variations in term dates due to local circumstances.
New South Wales (NSW)
In 2026, NSW public school terms follow a structured calendar. Term 1 starts on Tuesday 3 February and finishes on Friday 10 April. This term includes the lead-up to Easter, so the autumn holidays begin immediately after on Saturday 11 April and run through to Sunday 26 April, giving students two full weeks off.
Term 2 starts on Monday 27 April and ends on Friday 3 July. These dates mean students return just after ANZAC Day, which falls on Saturday 25 April, ensuring a break around this national day of remembrance. Winter holidays then run from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July, providing another two-week rest period.
Term 3 begins on Monday 20 July and finishes on Friday 25 September. This term covers the second half of winter and the start of spring. The spring holidays follow immediately, from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October, again lasting two weeks.
The final term, Term 4, runs from Monday 12 October to Wednesday 16 December. This term is slightly shorter than the others at just over nine weeks, ending just before Christmas. Summer holidays then begin on Thursday 17 December 2026 and stretch until Monday 1 February 2027, giving students a long break of about six weeks over the festive season and into the new year.
NSW schools also observe public holidays during terms, such as Labour Day on Monday 5 October 2026, which falls during Term 4.
Victoria (VIC)
Victoria’s government schools have a similar four-term structure to NSW but with some date differences. Term 1 kicks off earlier on Tuesday 27 January and runs until Thursday 2 April. This early start means students begin school the week before February, aligning with the Australia Day public holiday on Monday 26 January 2026.
The autumn holidays in Victoria run from Friday 3 April to Sunday 19 April, just over two weeks. Term 2 starts on Monday 20 April, the day after the holidays, and continues until Friday 3 July. Winter holidays then begin on Saturday 4 July and end on Sunday 19 July, mirroring NSW’s winter break length.
Term 3 also runs from Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September, followed by spring holidays from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October, matching NSW’s dates exactly.
Term 4 runs from Monday 12 October to Friday 18 December, finishing two days later than NSW. Victorian students then enjoy summer holidays from Saturday 19 December 2026 through to Monday 1 February 2027, giving them about six weeks off over Christmas and New Year.
Victoria also observes public holidays within terms, such as the Queen’s Birthday on Monday 8 June 2026 during Term 2, and Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 3 November 2026 during Term 4, which can affect school schedules in metropolitan areas.
Queensland (QLD)
Queensland’s school calendar for 2026 starts slightly earlier than NSW and Victoria. Term 1 begins on Wednesday 28 January and finishes on Friday 3 April, spanning just over nine weeks. The autumn holidays then start on Saturday 4 April and run until Sunday 19 April, aligning closely with other states’ April breaks.
Term 2 runs from Monday 20 April to Friday 26 June, a week shorter than NSW and Victoria’s Term 2. This means Queensland students get their winter holidays from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 12 July, slightly earlier than the southern states.
Term 3 is from Monday 13 July to Friday 18 September, followed by spring holidays from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October. Queensland’s spring break is earlier than NSW and Victoria’s, starting a week before theirs.
The last term, Term 4, runs from Monday 5 October to Wednesday 16 December, finishing on the same day as NSW. Summer holidays begin on Thursday 17 December 2026 and continue until Monday 1 February 2027, giving students a six-week break over the holiday season.
Queensland also observes state public holidays during term time, such as Labour Day on Monday 4 May 2026 and the Queen’s Birthday on Monday 5 October 2026, which affects school attendance.
Western Australia (WA)
In 2026, WA’s public schools start their school year a little earlier. Term 1 begins on Monday 2 February and runs until Friday 6 April. The autumn holidays then run from Saturday 7 April to Sunday 21 April, a two-week break that falls just after Easter.
Term 2 starts on Monday 22 April and ends on Friday 3 July, followed by winter holidays from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July. These dates align closely with NSW and Victoria’s winter breaks.
Term 3 is from Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September, with spring holidays from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October. Term 4 runs from Monday 12 October to Thursday 17 December, slightly longer than some other states, finishing just before Christmas.
Summer holidays run from Friday 18 December 2026 until Monday 1 February 2027, roughly six weeks off. WA also observes public holidays such as Labour Day on Monday 3 March 2026 during Term 1, which can affect school schedules.
South Australia (SA)
South Australia’s term dates for 2026 are as follows: Term 1 starts on Tuesday 27 January and finishes on Friday 10 April. The autumn holidays then run from Saturday 11 April to Sunday 26 April.
Term 2 starts on Monday 27 April and runs until Friday 3 July, followed by winter holidays from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July. Term 3 goes from Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September, with the spring holidays from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October.
Term 4 runs from Monday 12 October to Friday 18 December, with summer holidays starting on Saturday 19 December 2026 and extending to Monday 1 February 2027. Public holidays during terms include Adelaide Cup Day on Monday 9 March 2026 and Labour Day on Monday 3 May 2026.
Tasmania (TAS)
Tasmania’s school year in 2026 starts on Wednesday 4 February and finishes Term 1 on Friday 10 April. The autumn holidays are from Saturday 11 April to Sunday 26 April.
Term 2 runs from Monday 27 April to Friday 3 July, with winter holidays from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July. Term 3 is from Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September, followed by spring holidays from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October.
Term 4 runs from Monday 12 October to Friday 18 December. Summer holidays begin on Saturday 19 December 2026 and go through to Monday 1 February 2027. Tasmania also observes public holidays such as Eight Hours Day on Monday 9 March 2026 during Term 1.
Northern Territory (NT)
Northern Territory’s 2026 school year starts on Monday 3 February and ends Term 1 on Friday 10 April, with autumn holidays from Saturday 11 April to Sunday 26 April.
Term 2 runs from Monday 27 April to Friday 3 July, followed by winter holidays from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July. Term 3 goes from Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September, with spring holidays from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October.
Term 4 runs from Monday 12 October to Wednesday 16 December. Summer holidays begin on Thursday 17 December 2026 and continue until Monday 1 February 2027. The NT observes public holidays such as May Day on Monday 4 May 2026 during Term 2.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The ACT’s 2026 school calendar is close to NSW’s but with subtle changes. Term 1 starts on Tuesday 3 February and finishes Friday 10 April. Autumn holidays run from Saturday 11 April to Sunday 26 April.
Term 2 runs Monday 27 April to Friday 3 July, with winter holidays from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July. Term 3 goes from Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September, followed by spring holidays from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October.
Term 4 runs from Monday 12 October to Wednesday 16 December. Summer holidays start Thursday 17 December 2026 and last until Monday 1 February 2027. The ACT also observes public holidays such as Canberra Day on Monday 9 March 2026 during Term 1.
Australian school term dates for 2026 vary by state and territory but generally follow a four-term year with holidays in April, July, September/October, and December/January. Most regions offer around two weeks for each holiday break, with summer holidays stretching about six weeks over Christmas and New Year. Families should check their specific state or territory education department websites for any updates or private school variations.
This article was created with AI assistance.
