Planning a family trip or booking camp in Australia? You’ll quickly discover that school holidays don’t fall on the same dates across the country — they vary by state and territory, sometimes by a week or more. This guide pulls together the official 2025 term dates for all eight states and territories, so you can lock in travel plans with confidence before the calendar fills up.
States & Territories: 8 · Terms per Year: 4 · NSW Summer Break 2025-26: 22 Dec 2025 – 26 Jan 2026 · Typical Autumn Break: 2 weeks · Winter Break Example NSW: 7 Jul – 18 Jul 2025
Quick snapshot
- All 8 states/territories follow a 4-term school year with holiday breaks between each term (School Holidays Dates)
- Victoria and Queensland both start Term 1 on 28 January 2025 — among the earliest in the country (World Strides)
- NSW has a regional split: Term 1 Eastern starts 4 February, Western starts 11 February 2025 (World Strides)
- Tasmania’s Term 4 2025 end-of-year holidays are listed as TBC in several sources (World Strides)
- Private school dates vary widely — some start term up to a week earlier than nearby public schools (Learnmate)
- Minor territory variations haven’t been confirmed against every state education department’s official calendar (World Strides)
- Most states begin Term 1 between 28 January and 6 February 2025 (World Strides)
- Autumn holidays cluster mid-April: 5 April through 27 April across states (World Strides)
- Summer holidays typically start mid-to-late December 2025 and extend into late January or early February 2026 (World Strides)
- Summer 2025-26 is the longest break of the year — typically 6-7 weeks across most states (Mums at the Table)
- Families booking December travel should confirm their specific state’s summer start date early (Mums at the Table)
- State education departments typically publish updated calendars for 2026 by mid-year (Mums at the Table)
| State / Territory | Term 1 Start | Term 1 End | Autumn Holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 28 Jan 2025 | 4 Apr 2025 | 5 Apr – 21 Apr |
| New South Wales (Eastern) | 4 Feb 2025 | 11 Apr 2025 | 14 Apr – 24 Apr |
| New South Wales (Western) | 11 Feb 2025 | 11 Apr 2025 | 14 Apr – 24 Apr |
| Queensland | 28 Jan 2025 | 4 Apr 2025 | 5 Apr – 21 Apr |
| Australian Capital Territory | 3 Feb 2025 | 11 Apr 2025 | 12 Apr – 28 Apr |
| South Australia | 28 Jan 2025 | 11 Apr 2025 | 12 Apr – 27 Apr |
| Western Australia | 5 Feb 2025 | 11 Apr 2025 | 12 Apr – 27 Apr |
| Northern Territory | 29 Jan 2025 | 4 Apr 2025 | 5 Apr – 13 Apr |
| Tasmania | 6 Feb 2025 | TBC | TBC |
What date are school holidays in 2025 in Australia?
Australian schools divide the year into four terms, with a holiday break between each one. Summer break runs longest — usually six to seven weeks — while autumn, winter, and spring holidays typically last two weeks each (School Holidays Dates). The catch is that every state and territory sets its own calendar, so the same school holiday can start on different dates depending on where you live.
Overview of variations by state
- Victoria and Queensland start the school year earliest, with Term 1 kicking off on 28 January 2025 (World Strides)
- Tasmania starts latest among government schools, with Term 1 beginning 6 February 2025 (World Strides)
- New South Wales has a split: the eastern region starts Term 1 on 4 February, while western schools begin 11 February (World Strides)
- Northern Territory’s autumn break is shortest at roughly nine days (5–13 April), while ACT and SA stretch autumn holidays to about two and a half weeks (World Strides)
The pattern: states cluster around mid-to-late January for Term 1 starts, but variations of one to two weeks make cross-state trip planning tricky.
Key term dates summary
Across all eight states and territories, the four holiday periods follow roughly the same seasonal windows each year:
- Autumn: Mid-April (roughly 12–27 April across most states)
- Winter: Early-to-mid July (approximately 5–21 July 2025)
- Spring: Late September to early October (around 20 September – 13 October 2025)
- Summer: Mid-December through late January or early February 2026
Tourism Australia provides general holiday guidance but focuses primarily on 2026 dates, making it less useful for near-term trip planners (Tourism Australia). Families planning for 2025 should cross-reference state education department calendars for exact dates.
What are the school holidays in Australia?
Beyond the standard four holiday periods, Australian school holidays align with public holidays in some states. Easter typically falls within the winter or autumn break depending on the year, while Queen’s Birthday weekend creates an extended break in states that observe it (Mums at the Table).
Autumn holidays 2025
- Victoria and Queensland: 5 April – 21 April (roughly 16 days) (World Strides)
- NSW: 14 April – 24 April (11 days) (Mums at the Table)
- South Australia and Western Australia: 12 April – 27 April (16 days) (World Strides)
- Northern Territory: 5 April – 13 April (shortest at 9 days) (World Strides)
Families in South Australia and Western Australia get roughly a week more autumn break than those in NSW. If you’re coordinating a multi-state road trip, mid-to-late April favors a WA or SA visit.
Winter holidays 2025
- Winter break typically runs early-to-mid July across all states (World Strides)
- NSW winter: 7 July – 18 July 2025 (12 days) (Mums at the Table)
- These dates often overlap with major public holidays, extending the break in some states
Spring holidays 2025
- Spring break usually falls late September through early October
- Most states see approximately 2-week spring holidays (around 20 September – 13 October 2025) (World Strides)
- ACT and NSW spring breaks typically align, making cross-border family visits easier to coordinate
Booking ski trips or school holiday camps in late September? Spring break windows are narrower than summer, and popular destinations fill fast. Victoria and NSW spring dates tend to cluster tightly, intensifying demand on east-coast resorts.
Australian school holidays 2025 NSW
New South Wales operates the largest school system in Australia, and it has a wrinkle that surprises many families: the state splits term dates between eastern and western regions. The western region sits in a different time zone and follows adjusted schedules to account for distance (World Strides).
NSW term dates 2025
- Term 1: Eastern: 4 Feb – 11 Apr; Western: 11 Feb – 11 Apr 2025
- Autumn holidays: 14 April – 24 April 2025 (Mums at the Table)
- Term 2: 29 April – 4 Jul 2025
- Winter holidays: 7 July – 18 July 2025
- Term 3: 21 July – 19 Sep 2025
- Spring holidays: 29 Sep – 10 Oct 2025
- Term 4: 13 Oct – 19 Dec 2025
- Summer holidays: Eastern: 22 Dec 2025 – 26 Jan 2026; Western extends to 1 Feb 2026 (World Strides)
Sydney specific notes
Sydney schools fall under the eastern region, meaning Term 1 starts 4 February 2025 and summer holidays begin 22 December 2025. Private schools in Sydney can vary — Sydney Grammar, for example, starts Term 1 on 29 January and ends 11 April, running a week earlier than nearby public schools (Learnmate). Families with children at private institutions should confirm dates directly with their school.
NSW families living west of the Great Dividing Range need to check whether their council area uses eastern or western regional dates — especially for end-of-year summer holiday planning, where the difference can stretch to an extra week.
Australian school holidays 2025 Victoria
Victoria typically starts the school year among the earliest states, and its official 2026 calendar shows students returning 28 January 2026 for Term 1 — mirroring the 2025 pattern (Victorian Government). This consistency makes Victoria a reliable reference point when comparing across states.
Victoria term dates
- Term 1: 28 January – 4 April 2025 (World Strides)
- Autumn holidays: 5 April – 21 April 2025
- Term 2: 22 April – 4 July 2025
- Winter holidays: 5 July – 21 July 2025 (approximately 2 weeks)
- Term 3: 22 July – 19 September 2025
- Spring holidays: 20 September – 6 October 2025
- Term 4: 7 October – 19 December 2025
- Summer holidays: 20 December 2025 – 27 January 2026
Comparison to NSW
Victoria and NSW share similar school structures, but the timing of their breaks creates planning gaps worth noting.
| Break Period | Victoria | NSW (Eastern) |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn 2025 | 5 Apr – 21 Apr | 14 Apr – 24 Apr |
| Winter 2025 | 5 Jul – 21 Jul | 7 Jul – 18 Jul |
| Spring 2025 | 20 Sep – 6 Oct | 29 Sep – 10 Oct |
| Summer 2025-26 | 20 Dec – 27 Jan | 22 Dec – 26 Jan |
Victoria runs autumn holidays about nine days earlier than NSW, giving Melburnians a head start on school holiday camp registrations and travel bookings. Families visiting NSW from Victoria during “both states’ school holidays” need to navigate a window where only some dates overlap.
The VIC government calendar is considered the most reliable single source for Victorian dates, but it currently shows 2026 terms more prominently than 2025. Families should verify 2025 details against cross-referenced sources like World Strides or Learnmate.
How long is summer break in Australia?
Summer break is the longest holiday period in the Australian school year — and the one that causes the most chaos for parents trying to coordinate annual leave. It typically spans six to seven weeks, starting mid-to-late December and ending anywhere from late January to early February depending on the state (Mums at the Table).
Length by state
- New South Wales (Eastern): 22 Dec 2025 – 26 Jan 2026 (36 days)
- New South Wales (Western): 22 Dec 2025 – 1 Feb 2026 (42 days — longest) (World Strides)
- Victoria: 20 Dec 2025 – 27 Jan 2026 (39 days)
- Queensland: Approximately 6 weeks
- Western Australia: Term 4 ends 18 December 2025; summer break runs roughly 6 weeks
- South Australia: Similar 6-week window to other states
Christmas and summer overlap
Australia’s summer break straddles Christmas and New Year, which creates both opportunity and pressure. Coastal holiday destinations and theme parks see peak demand from late December through mid-January, while bookings for late January tend to be easier to secure and less expensive (Tourism Australia).
Families who can travel in the final week of January often find better availability at premium destinations like the Gold Coast, though they trade off missing the peak summer weather in exchange for emptier beaches.
State-by-state comparison table
Eight Australian states and territories, three broad holiday windows — here is how they line up for 2025:
| State | Term 1 Start | Term 4 End | Summer Break Length | Autumn Holiday Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 28 Jan | 19 Dec | ~39 days | 16 days |
| Queensland | 28 Jan | TBC | ~6 weeks | 16 days |
| NSW Eastern | 4 Feb | 19 Dec | 36 days | 11 days |
| NSW Western | 11 Feb | 19 Dec | 42 days | 11 days |
| ACT | 3 Feb | TBC | ~6 weeks | ~16 days |
| South Australia | 28 Jan | TBC | ~6 weeks | 16 days |
| Western Australia | 5 Feb | 18 Dec | ~6 weeks | 16 days |
| Northern Territory | 29 Jan | TBC | ~6 weeks | 9 days (shortest) |
| Tasmania | 6 Feb | TBC | ~6 weeks | TBC |
States that start Term 1 earlier (Victoria, Queensland, SA) tend to end Term 4 earlier, while later-starting states like NSW Western and Tasmania extend summer break slightly longer. Northern Territory’s autumn break stands out as notably shorter at nine days.
Public versus private school variations
Private schools in Australia are not obligated to follow the same calendar as government schools, and many don’t. This creates meaningful variations that trip up families who assume all schools in a given suburb share the same holidays (Learnmate).
Examples of private school variations
- Sydney Grammar (NSW): Term 1 runs 29 January – 11 April 2025, starting a week earlier than NSW public schools (Learnmate)
- Brisbane Grammar (Queensland): Calendar varies from state-average public school dates
- Melbourne private schools: Some start Term 1 as early as 27 January, while the state average is 28 January
If your child attends a private school, confirm the term dates directly with the school office. Booking travel based on public school calendars could put you a week off — a costly mistake during peak season.
Timeline of Australian school holidays 2025
Six key moments across the 2025 school year shape family planning:
- Late January – Early February 2025: Most states begin Term 1 between 28 January (Victoria, QLD) and 6 February (Tasmania)
- Mid-April 2025: Autumn holidays start, ranging from 5 April (VIC, QLD) to 14 April (NSW)
- Early-to-mid July 2025: Winter break period, typically 2 weeks
- Late September – Early October 2025: Spring holidays across most states
- Mid-December 2025: Term 4 ends and summer holidays begin
- Late January – Early February 2026: Summer holidays end, Term 1 2026 begins
“We’ve compiled this comprehensive list of the 2025 school term and holiday dates in Australia, ensuring you’re all set to blend learning with unforgettable experiences.” — World Strides (Education Travel Provider)
“Whether it’s to plan vacation care, a family holiday or simply when to get those school uniforms ready, we have the dates you need for your calendar.” — Mums at the Table (Parenting Blog)
Confirmed facts and open questions
Confirmed
- All 8 states/territories follow 4 terms per year with holidays between
- Victoria and Queensland Term 1 starts 28 January 2025
- NSW Eastern Term 1 starts 4 February 2025
- NSW has distinct eastern/western regional term date splits
- Summer break is 6–7 weeks across most states
- Autumn holidays cluster mid-April (5–27 April across states)
Unclear
- Tasmania Term 4 2025 dates remain TBC
- Minor territory variations not verified against all state education department official calendars
- Some discrepancies between sources for private school dates
- 2026 spillover dates partially covered and inconsistent across sources
Related reading: King’s Birthday Melbourne 2025
Families aligning trips with Australian school calendars in 2025 should note the varying 2025 holiday start dates across states and territories for precise planning.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Australian school schedule?
Australian schools operate on a four-term calendar with a holiday break between each term. Terms typically run 10–12 weeks, with breaks of approximately two weeks for autumn, winter, and spring, and six to seven weeks for summer.
What are the dates of the Australian school year?
Term 1 generally runs late January to early-to-mid April. Term 2 runs late April to early July. Term 3 runs mid-July to mid-September. Term 4 runs early October to mid-December. Exact dates vary by state and territory.
Do school holidays differ by state in Australia?
Yes. Each state and territory sets its own school calendar, so holiday start and end dates can vary by a week or more between states. NSW even has regional splits between eastern and western areas.
When do Australian schools start back in 2025?
Most states begin Term 1 between 28 January and 6 February 2025. Victoria and Queensland start earliest (28 January), while Tasmania starts latest (6 February) among government schools.
Are public holidays part of school breaks?
Sometimes. Easter often falls within the winter or autumn break depending on the calendar year. Queen’s Birthday weekend extends breaks in states that observe it. Public holidays don’t extend the school holiday period itself — they’re built into the existing break dates.
What are school holidays in Queensland 2025?
Queensland Term 1 2025 runs 28 January – 4 April, with autumn holidays 5 April – 21 April. Queensland follows the same four-term structure as other states, with summer break spanning roughly mid-December through late January 2026.
How do school holidays affect travel in Australia?
School holidays create peak demand for domestic travel, especially on the east coast where NSW and Victoria (the two most populous states) often have overlapping holiday windows. Prices for accommodation, theme parks (like those on the Gold Coast), and flights spike during peak school holiday periods.
For families planning trips around Australian school holidays in 2025, the decision is straightforward: lock in your travel dates against your specific state’s calendar before booking anything. Cross-reference with your child’s school if they attend a private institution, and keep in mind that NSW families west of the Great Dividing Range may have a different summer break end date than those in Sydney.
Rachel Walsh leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Aussie Report.