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Australia School Holidays

Browse official school holiday dates by state and year. Simple, accurate, and updated holiday calendar information.

Australian Capital Territory School Holidays 2026 Calendar

Australian Capital Territory School Holidays 2026 has been updated on the website and are also listed out for everyone to have a look at the website. Australian Capital Territory School Holidays 2026 also includes the list of official holidays, government holidays federal holidays and public observances.

Australian Capital Territory School Holidays 2026

HolidayStart DateEnd Date
First Day of School30 Jan 2026 (Friday)-
Term 1 Holidays (Autumn)3 Apr 2026 (Friday)20 Apr 2026 (Monday)
Term 2 Holidays (Winter)4 Jul 2026 (Saturday)20 Jul 2026 (Monday)
Term 3 Holidays (Spring)26 Sep 2026 (Saturday)12 Oct 2026 (Monday)
Term 4 Holidays (Summer)19 Dec 2026 (Saturday)31 Jan 2027 (Sunday)

About Australian Capital Territory School Holidays

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) follows a four-term school year managed by the ACT Education Directorate. Schools in Canberra and surrounding regions share uniform term dates, making it straightforward for families to plan ahead. The ACT school calendar aligns closely with New South Wales dates, which is helpful for families who live near the border.

School Terms and Holiday Periods

ACT students enjoy four holiday breaks across the year — an autumn break in April, a winter break in July, a spring break in September/October, and the long summer break from mid-December through to late January. Public holidays such as ANZAC Day, Canberra Day, and the ACT Family & Community Day also fall within or near school terms and may affect term start and end dates.

Holiday Planning Tips

Planning a trip during ACT school holidays? The Canberra region is home to world-class attractions including the Australian War Memorial, Questacon, and the National Arboretum. School holiday programs run at most major venues during each break, making it an ideal destination for families. Book accommodation early as Canberra hotels fill quickly during term breaks.

However, Australian Capital Territory School Calendar 2026 also includes term dates, but they depend on the school. So, it is essential that you check the Australian Capital Territory school calendar with the relevant Australian Capital Territory school to find out the correct term date information. In the year 2026, you can plan for great holidays and vacations with your family and friends if you have the prior information about the Australian Capital Territory state school holidays.

Being a kid/parent/teacher, it is important that you have a look at the Australian Capital Territory School Holiday Calendar 2026 so that you can be aware of the complete Australian Capital Territory school schedule, first day of Australian Capital Territory schools, last day of Australian Capital Territory schools, Australian Capital Territory schools spring breaks, Australian Capital Territory schools winter breaks, Australian Capital Territory schools summer breaks of the 2026 in advance. However, it is also advised that you keep on visiting the site to ensure whether the dates have been changed or not. Australian Capital Territory School Holidays 2026 is also the time when you can plan to send your kid for an activity or plan a trip with them to some amazing place.

The Australian Capital Territory School Calendar 2026 has all the dates of public observances and cultural events that also enable schools to organize activities for kids that allow them to learn new things about their culture and significance in history in Australian Capital Territory. In 2026, all the events will have specific themes, like every year, that will make the cultural events more exciting and fun to participate in for school kids. You can visit the site anytime and from anywhere and can stay updated about all the Australian Capital Territory holidays and list of days on which you would like to plan for the rest of the year. So make the year 2026 more special and memorable by having a look at the Australian Capital Territory yearly holiday school schedule.

ACT School Term Dates 2026 for Parents and Students

The ACT school schedule helps families, students, and teachers stay updated with ACT school term dates, school holidays, public holidays, and important academic events. Planning early using the ACT school calendar makes travel, childcare, and study planning much easier.

ACT School Holidays and Public Holiday Calendar

ACT schools close during term breaks, summer holidays, and major public holidays like:

  • Canberra Day
  • Reconciliation Day
  • Family & Community Day
  • Easter Holidays
  • Australia Day

Checking the ACT school holiday calendar helps families avoid last-minute planning problems.

ACT Pupil-Free Days and Student-Free Days

ACT schools may have pupil-free days or staff development days during the year. On these dates, teachers attend training while students stay home. Parents should regularly check the ACT education calendar for updated student-free day schedules.

ACT Exam Dates, ATAR Schedule & Assessment Timeline

Senior students should keep track of:

  • ATAR exam dates
  • BSSS assessment calendar
  • Year 11 and Year 12 exams
  • Assignment deadlines
  • School report dates

Most ACT assessments and external exams take place during Terms 3 and 4.

Why the ACT School Calendar Is Important for Families

Using the ACT academic calendar helps parents and students:

  • Plan school holiday travel
  • Organize childcare and OSHC programs
  • Prepare for exams and assessments
  • Manage extracurricular activities
  • Track school events and important deadlines

ACT Government School Calendar and Education Updates

ACT government schools usually follow a four-term school year with holiday breaks between each term. However, some independent schools and Catholic schools may have slightly different schedules, so checking official ACT school term updates is important.

Australian Capital Territory FAQs

Most ACT schools usually begin in late January or early February.

ACT schools generally follow a four-term school calendar system.

These are teacher training and planning days when students do not attend school.

Early planning helps families manage holidays, childcare, school events, and exam preparation.

Government schools mostly follow the same calendar, but some private and Catholic schools may vary slightly.

You can visit the ACT Education Directorate website for official ACT school calendar updates and exam schedules.

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