Autumn holidays
First to start: VIC , 3 April 2026 to 19 April 2026 .
Last to finish: SA , 11 April 2026 to 26 April 2026 .
Comparison available for 4 confirmed calendars.
National comparison
Australian School Holidays 2026
Compare confirmed government school holiday periods, term dates and student return dates across Australia. Each state link leads to its calendar, source notes and downloads.
2026 holiday dates by state and territory
| State | Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 7 April 2026 to 17 April 2026 Return: Wednesday 22 April 2026 | 6 July 2026 to 17 July 2026 Return: Tuesday 21 July 2026 | 28 September 2026 to 9 October 2026 Return: Tuesday 13 October 2026 | 22 December 2025 to 26 January 2026 Return: Monday 2 February 2026 |
| Victoria | 3 April 2026 to 19 April 2026 Return: Monday 20 April 2026 | 27 June 2026 to 12 July 2026 Return: Monday 13 July 2026 | 19 September 2026 to 4 October 2026 Return: Monday 5 October 2026 | 19 December 2026 to 27 January 2027 Return: Thursday 28 January 2027 |
| Queensland | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Western Australia | Not published | Not published | Not published | 18 December 2026 to 31 January 2027 Return: Monday 1 February 2027 |
| South Australia | 11 April 2026 to 26 April 2026 Return: Monday 27 April 2026 | 4 July 2026 to 19 July 2026 Return: Monday 20 July 2026 | 26 September 2026 to 11 October 2026 Return: Monday 12 October 2026 | 12 December 2026 to 27 January 2027 Return: Wednesday 27 January 2027 |
| Tasmania | Not published | Not published | Not published | 19 December 2026 to 3 February 2027 Return: Thursday 4 February 2027 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 3 April 2026 to 20 April 2026 Return: Tuesday 21 April 2026 | 4 July 2026 to 20 July 2026 Return: Tuesday 21 July 2026 | 26 September 2026 to 12 October 2026 Return: Tuesday 13 October 2026 | 19 December 2026 to 31 January 2027 Return: Monday 1 February 2027 |
| Northern Territory | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
How the 2026 school holidays overlap
Winter holidays
First to start: VIC , 27 June 2026 to 12 July 2026 .
Last to finish: ACT , 4 July 2026 to 20 July 2026 .
Comparison available for 4 confirmed calendars.
Spring holidays
First to start: VIC , 19 September 2026 to 4 October 2026 .
Last to finish: ACT , 26 September 2026 to 12 October 2026 .
Comparison available for 4 confirmed calendars.
Summer holidays
First to start: NSW , 22 December 2025 to 26 January 2026 .
Last to finish: TAS , 19 December 2026 to 3 February 2027 .
Comparison available for 6 confirmed calendars.
Methodology
We use state and territory government sources. “Official dates” reproduce a published holiday range. “Calculated dates” are derived only from a confirmed last student day and following student start date, with that method shown on the relevant state page. Student-free and development days are never silently merged into a holiday range.
Calendar downloads
Each state page offers ICS files for holiday dates, term dates and all listed dates. These files include the source page and separate student return events where a return date is confirmed.
FAQ
Are 2026 school holidays the same in every state?
No. States and territories set their own government school calendars. This page compares 8 jurisdictions with confirmed 2026 data.
Which states are included in the 2026 comparison?
All Australian states and territories are included because each calendar is confirmed by an official government source.
Do the dates apply to Catholic and independent schools?
No. The comparison covers government school calendars. Catholic, independent and individual schools may publish different dates or student-free days.