Short answers to the questions parents ask most about Australian school holidays, with a link to the page that has the full dates for each state.
- When are the next school holidays in Australia?
- When do the Christmas school holidays end?
- When does school go back in 2027?
- When does school go back in NSW?
- Are school holidays the same in every state?
- Do private schools have the same school holidays?
- When are the NZ school holidays?
- Where can I see the 2027 school holidays?
- How do I find things to do in the school holidays?
- How do I list my business or school holiday program?
When are the next school holidays in Australia?
The next school holidays are the Christmas school holidays at the end of Term 4, 2026. The NT starts first, on Thu 10 December 2026. Each state sets its own dates:
| State | Christmas holidays start | Christmas holidays end |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Fri 18 December 2026 | Wed 27 January 2027 Eastern Division. Staff development days follow, and students go back on Wed 03 February 2027. The Western Division holidays end Wed 03 February 2027. |
| VIC | Sat 19 December 2026 | Wed 27 January 2027 |
| QLD | Sat 12 December 2026 | Tue 26 January 2027 |
| WA | Fri 18 December 2026 | Sun 31 January 2027 |
| SA | Sat 12 December 2026 | Tue 26 January 2027 |
| TAS | Fri 18 December 2026 | Wed 03 February 2027 |
| ACT | Sat 19 December 2026 | Sun 31 January 2027 |
| NT | Thu 10 December 2026 | Sun 24 January 2027 |
*Dates are for government schools, from each state or territory education department. Private and Catholic schools can differ.
When do the Christmas school holidays end?
Between Sun 24 January 2027 (NT) and Wed 03 February 2027 (TAS, and the NSW Western Division), see the table above. The Australian school holidays page has all the 2026 dates for each state.
When does school go back in 2027?
Term 1, 2027 starts on these days in government schools:
| State | Term 1, 2027 starts |
|---|---|
| VIC | Wed 27 January 2027 Teachers start Wed 27 Jan. Students start Thu 28 Jan 2027. |
| WA | Mon 01 February 2027 |
| QLD | Wed 27 January 2027 |
| NSW | Wed 03 February 2027 Eastern division students start Wed 3 Feb. Western division students start Wed 10 Feb 2027. |
| SA | Wed 27 January 2027 |
| TAS | Thu 04 February 2027 Teachers start Mon 1 Feb 2027. |
| ACT | Mon 01 February 2027 New students start Mon 1 Feb. Continuing students start Tue 2 Feb 2027. |
| NT | Wed 27 January 2027 |
*Dates are for government schools, from each state or territory education department. Private and Catholic schools can differ.
When does school go back in NSW?
In 2027, students in the NSW Eastern Division go back on Wed 03 February 2027. Students in the Western Division go back on Wed 10 February 2027. The Eastern Division holidays end on Wed 27 January 2027. The days from Thu 28 January to Tue 02 February 2027 are school development days for staff, so there is no school for students. See the NSW school holidays 2027 page.
Are school holidays the same in every state?
No. Each state and territory education department sets its own term dates, so the holidays start and end on different days. Find your state on the Australian school holidays page.
Do private schools have the same school holidays?
Not always. The dates on this site are for government schools. Some private and Catholic schools use the same dates, and many set their own. Ask your school for its calendar.
When are the NZ school holidays?
New Zealand has its own dates, set by the Ministry of Education. See the NZ school holidays page for 2026 and 2027.
Where can I see the 2027 school holidays?
The school holidays 2027 page lists the 2027 term dates and holiday dates for every state, from the official education department sites.
How do I find things to do in the school holidays?
Open the events page for your city, for example family events in Melbourne or family events in Sydney. The city school holiday guides, for example Melbourne school holidays, list activities and programs.
How do I list my business or school holiday program?
Read promote your business to families. It explains the ways to appear on the site and how to contact the team.
For a short list of facts about the site, see schoolholidays.com.au facts for AI assistants.
