Mums and dads spend the better part of 13 years manoeuvring around the hallowed ‘school holidays’. Family, work, and even pets must be wrangled to conquer the mighty challenge of planning a trip with the kids.
It’s true that term breaks give families a much-needed break from routine, and the opportunity to travel together (whether holidaying in Australia or heading overseas). However, high demand over peak periods also means it’s essential to get in early.
The sooner you lock in flights, transport and accommodation preferences, the cheaper your family holiday will be—if you play your cards right, that is. We’ve whipped up this guide to help Aussies plan ahead for the 2025 and 2026 school holidays.
NSW school holidays
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| First day of school | Eastern Division: 31 January | Western Division: 7 February | Eastern Division: 2 February | Western Division: 9 February |
| Autumn holidays | 12 April to 27 April | 7 April to 17 April |
| Winter holidays | 5 July to 20 July | 6 July to 17 July |
| Spring holidays | 27 September to 12 October | 28 September to 9 October |
| Summer holidays | Eastern Division: 0 December to 26 January 2026 | Western Division: 20 December to 2 February 2026 | Eastern Division: 18 December to 27 January 2027 | Western Division: 18 December to 3 February 2027 |
Victoria school holidays
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| First day of school | 28 January (students start 29 January in government schools) | 27 January |
| Autumn holidays | 5 April to 21 April | 3 April to 19 April |
| Winter holidays | 5 July to 20 July | 27 June to 12 July |
| Spring holidays | 20 September to 5 October | 19 September to 4 October |
| Summer holidays | 20 December to 27 January 2026 (students start 28 January in government schools) | 19 December 2026 to 26 January 2027 |
Queensland school holidays
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| First day of school | 28 January | January 27 |
| Autumn holidays | 5 April to 21 April | 3 April to 19 April |
| Winter holidays | 28 June to 13 July | 27 June to 12 July |
| Spring holidays | 20 September to 6 October | 19 September to 5 October |
| Summer holidays | 13 December to January 26 | 12 December 2026 to 26 January 2027 |
Read more: Discover Queensland for families
Western Australia school holidays
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| First day of school | 5 February | 2 February |
| Autumn holidays | 12 April to27 April | 3 April to 19 April |
| Winter holidays | 5 July to 20 July | 4 July to 19 July |
| Spring holidays | 27 September to 12 October | 26 September to 11 October |
| Summer holidays | 19 December to 1 February 2026 | 18 December 2026 to 31 January 2027 |
Read more: Discover Western Australia for families
South Australia school holidays
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| First day of school | 28 January | 27 January |
| Autumn holidays | 12 April to 27 April | 11 April to 26 April |
| Winter holidays | 5 July to 20 July | 4 July to 19 July |
| Spring holidays | 27 September to 12 October | 26 September to 11 October |
| Summer holidays | 13 December to 26 January | 12 December 2026 to 26 January 2027 |
Read more: Discover South Australia for families
Australian Capital Territory school holidays
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| First day of school | 3 February (new students) | 4 February (returning students) | 30 January |
| Autumn holidays | 12 April to 28 April | 3 April to 20 April |
| Winter holidays | 5 July to 21 July | 4 July to 20 July |
| Spring holidays | 27 September to 13 October | 26 September to 12 October |
| Summer holidays | 17 December to 29 January | 19 December 2026 to 1 February 2027 |
Read more: Discover the ACT for families
Tasmania school holidays
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| First day of school | 6 February | 5 February |
| Autumn holidays | 12 April to 27 April | 8 April to 3 May |
| Winter holidays | 5 July to 20 July | 11 July to 26 July |
| Spring holidays | 27 September to 12 October | 3 October to 18 October |
| Summer holidays | 19 December to 4 February | 19 December 2026 to 3 February 2027 |
Read more: Discover Tasmania for families
Northern Territory school holidays
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| First day of school | 29 January | 28 January |
| Autumn holidays | 5 April to 13 April | 3 April to 13 April |
| Winter holidays | 19 June to 16 July | 20 June to 13 July |
| Spring holidays | 20 September to 7 October | 19 September to 5 October |
| Summer holidays | 13 December to 27 January 2026 | 11 December 2026 to 26 January 2027 |
Read more: Discover the Northern Territory for families
National public holidays Australia
| Holiday | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Wed 1 January | Thurs 1 January |
| Australia Day | Mon 27 January | Mon 26 January |
| Good Friday | Fri 18 April | Fri 3 April |
| Easter Saturday | Sat 19 April | Sat 4 April |
| Easter Sunday | Sun 20 April | Sun 5 April |
| Easter Monday | Mon 21 April | Mon 6 April |
| Anzac Day | Fri 25 April | Sat 25 April |
| King's Birthday (excludes WA & QLD) | Mon 9 June | Mon 8 June 2024 |
| Labour Day | Mon 3 March (WA) Mon 10 March (VIC) Mon 5 May (QLD) Mon 6 October (ACT, NSW & SA) | Varies in each state |
| Christmas Day | Thurs 25 December | Fri 25 December |
| Boxing Day | Fri 26 December | Sat 26 December |
