Australia School Holiday Calendar 2026, 2027

Australian schools operate on a four-term school year. Each term runs for approximately 10 weeks, separated by two-week school holiday breaks after Terms 1, 2, and 3, and a six-week summer holiday break after Term 4. Some Tasmanian secondary schools follow a three-semester model. The total number of student instruction days is typically around 200 per year for government schools.

Yes. While government school term dates are set by each state's Department of Education, Catholic schools and independent schools have the flexibility to set their own term calendars. They often align closely with the government school calendar but may start a day or two earlier or later, or observe additional pupil-free days for professional development. Always check directly with your school.

The Australian school summer holiday (also called the Christmas holiday break or year-end holiday) typically runs from mid-December through to late January or early February of the following year. In most states this is approximately six to seven weeks, making it the longest school holiday period of the year. In Queensland, the summer holiday period can be slightly shorter as Term 4 often ends earlier than other states.

Pupil-free days (also called student-free days or staff development days) are days when school is open for teachers and administrative staff but students do not attend. These are used for professional development, planning, and reporting preparation. Government schools typically have between 3 and 5 pupil-free days per year, usually at the start of terms or around reporting periods.

The 2026 Australian school year is expected to start in late January for most states and territories. Queensland typically returns earliest (mid-to-late January), while Western Australia and South Australia tend to start slightly later in early February. Official 2026 term dates are published by state education departments in mid-to-late 2025.

No. School holidays are scheduled breaks in the school term calendar set by education departments. Public holidays are gazetted by state and federal governments and apply to the general population. Public holidays that fall during school term time do result in schools being closed, but public holidays that fall during the school holiday period do not provide any extra days off for students.

The best place to find your specific school's calendar is on the school's official website or through your school's communication app (such as Compass, Schoology, or Sentral). Your state education department's website also publishes official term dates. Our website provides state-level and system-level dates as a convenient reference point, but individual school events, excursions, and pupil-free days will be specific to your school community.