ACT Government - Public holidays, school terms and daylight saving
Source checked for 2026 public school term dates, new student start, continuing student start and daylight saving note.
Verified government school dates
ACT School Holidays and Term Dates 2026
Check official 2026 ACT public school term dates for new students and continuing students, including the next break and return dates.
Next listed break: Winter school holidays, 4 July 2026 to 20 July 2026 .
Australian Capital Territory 2026 dates
The default calendar shown first is New students. Where the official source publishes variants, each variant is listed separately below.
ACT
New students
| Break | Dates | School returns | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn school holidays | 3 April 2026 to 20 April 2026 | 21 Apr 2026 | Derived from official term dates. |
| Winter school holidays | 4 July 2026 to 20 July 2026 | 21 July 2026 | Derived from official term dates. |
| Spring school holidays | 26 September 2026 to 12 October 2026 | 13 Oct 2026 | Derived from official term dates. |
| Summer 2026-27 school holidays | 19 December 2026 to 31 January 2027 | 1 Feb 2027 | Derived from official term dates. Derived from 2026 Term 4 finish and 2027 new student start on the same official page. |
| Term | Student dates | Teacher start | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 30 January 2026 to 2 April 2026 | 29 Jan 2026 | New students include students starting at a school for the first time or transitioning to a new school type. |
| Term 2 | 21 April 2026 to 3 July 2026 | 20 Apr 2026 | |
| Term 3 | 21 July 2026 to 25 September 2026 | 20 July 2026 | |
| Term 4 | 13 October 2026 to 18 December 2026 | 12 Oct 2026 |
ACT
Continuing students
| Break | Dates | School returns | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn school holidays | 3 April 2026 to 20 April 2026 | 21 Apr 2026 | Derived from official term dates. |
| Winter school holidays | 4 July 2026 to 20 July 2026 | 21 July 2026 | Derived from official term dates. |
| Spring school holidays | 26 September 2026 to 12 October 2026 | 13 Oct 2026 | Derived from official term dates. |
| Summer 2026-27 school holidays | 19 December 2026 to 1 February 2027 | 2 Feb 2027 | Derived from official term dates. Derived from 2026 Term 4 finish and 2027 continuing student start on the same official page. |
| Term | Student dates | Teacher start | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 2 February 2026 to 2 April 2026 | 29 Jan 2026 | |
| Term 2 | 21 April 2026 to 3 July 2026 | 20 Apr 2026 | |
| Term 3 | 21 July 2026 to 25 September 2026 | 20 July 2026 | |
| Term 4 | 13 October 2026 to 18 December 2026 | 12 Oct 2026 |
ACT notes
- ACT public schools have different Term 1 start dates for new students and continuing students.
- Teachers commence on the first day of each term, which is a student-free day.
- Private schools may have different dates.
- New students start before continuing students in Term 1.
- The first day of each term is a student-free day for teachers.
- Private schools may have different dates.
Official sources
FAQ
Do ACT new students and continuing students start on the same day?
No. In 2026, the ACT source lists new students starting on 30 January and continuing students returning on 2 February.
When does school go back in the ACT?
Select new students or continuing students in the countdown to see the relevant ACT public school return date.
Are ACT private school dates included?
No. This page covers ACT public schools only. Private schools may have different dates.