Australian school holidays 2026

Looking for details on the Australian school holidays in 2026? Whether you’re planning a trip that will avoid the peak times of school holidays or need to align your vacay with the kids’ time off, planning ahead is always the best bet.

That can be easier said than done, given that holiday dates vary depending on the state or territory you’re in or travelling to.

To make your 2026 plans flow as smoothly as possible, we’ve put together a guide to school term dates and Australian school holidays 2026.

Victoria term dates and school holidays 2026

VIC school terms 2026

School holidays in Victoria 2026

New South Wales term dates and school holidays 2026

NSW school terms 2026

School holidays in NSW 2026

Western Australia term dates and school holidays 2026

WA school terms 2026

School holidays in Western Australia 2026

Queensland term dates and school holidays 2026

QLD school terms 2026

School holidays in QLD 2026

Australian Capital Territory term dates and school holidays 2026

ACT school terms 2026

*New students include anyone starting at a school for the first time or transitioning to the next school type. This includes:

• All Kindergarten students (even if they previously attended the attached preschool).
• All year 7 students (even if they previously attended the school as a primary school student).
• All year 11 students (even if they previously attended the school as high school students).
• Students in any year level who are starting at the school for the first time (please confirm with your school about timing and requirements on the first day).

NOTE: The first day of each term is a student-free day in ACT. More on this below.

School holidays in ACT 2026

Tasmania term dates and school holidays 2026

Tasmania school terms 2026

School holidays in Tasmania 2026

In addition to the scheduled school holidays each year, there are a number of public holidays that kids get off too. While some of these public holidays land within the school break, not all of them do.

For a full list of Australian public holidays broken down by state or territory, see Navigating public holidays 2026.

Pupil-free days

Just when you thought you’d got a grasp on all of the important holiday and school-free days of the year, pupil-free days add another point for consideration.

Pupil-free days are reserved for teacher training and personal development, and schools can utilise up to 6 extra days a year when the kids don’t come to class.

Again, the number of days will depend on the state or territory, and each school has the power to operate under its own discretion.

In 2026:

• Queensland has 5 days
• Victoria has up to 5 days
• Western Australia has 6 days
• NSW has 7 days
• Northern Territory has 6 days
• Tasmania has 3 days
• South Australia has up to 5 days
• ACT has 4 scheduled days

Student free days QLD 2026

Staff professional development days for Queensland teachers are 22nd and 23rd January, 16th and 17th April and 4th September 2026. 

Schools are able to decide when they undertake the required hours for professional development for the flexible days, as long as they are on the flexible days, in the school holidays or out of school hours.

Student free day NSW 2026

Staff professional development days for NSW teachers are: 

Term 1

• Eastern division schools: Tuesday 27th January to Friday 30th January
• Western division schools: Tuesday 3rd February to Friday 6th February

Term 2:

• All NSW Schools: Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st April

Term 3:

• All NSW Schools: Monday 20th July

Term 4:

• All NSW Schools: Monday 12th October 

Student free day VIC 2026

Victorian schools may schedule up to 5 student-free days for professional development, school planning and administration or curriculum development, subject to the following requirements:

• The first day of term 1 each year must be a student-free day in all Victorian government schools to allow for appropriate planning to take place for the arrival of students.
• School councils have the flexibility to schedule 2 additional student-free days based on local school needs.
• If the principal decides to hold a common professional practice day (PPD) for teachers at the school, school councils will also schedule an additional, fifth student-free day for use as a common PPD.

Student-free day WA 2026

In WA, three student-free days are scheduled over the Christmas/New Year break, and an additional three days are scheduled throughout the school year. 

The dates are different for each school and are chosen in consultation with the school council/board and the school community.

Chat to your school directly to find out when its school development days have been rostered.

Student free days ACT 2026

There are 4 student-free days scheduled for ACT public schools in 2026. 

• Term 1, Thursday 29th January 2026
• Term 2, Monday 20th April 2026
• Term 3, Monday 20th July 2026 
• Term 4, Monday 12th October 2026

Student free day TAS 2026

There will be 3 student-free days scheduled for Tasmanian public schools in 2026.

Student free day NT 2026

There will be 6 student-free days for Northern Territory public schools in 2026.

• Tuesday 27th January and Wednesday 28th January
• Monday 13th April
• Monday 13th July
• Monday 5th October
• Friday 11th December

Planning a move during the Australian school holidays?

If you’re making plans to move house in the school holidays, use the above dates to tee up dates that align with the school calendar. And, if you need a hand getting your belongings to your new destination, Upmove can help. You’ll find the best removalists at the best possible prices just a few clicks away.