If you have ever wondered why a beach town is packed one week and quiet the next, school holidays are usually the answer. Australia has no national school calendar. Each state and territory education department sets the terms for government schools, and families plan their holidays around them. For travellers, knowing these dates is one of the easiest ways to avoid crowds and peak prices.
The general pattern
Government schools in every state and territory follow a four-term year:
- Term 1: from late January or early February to around Easter.
- Autumn holidays: usually about two weeks, around April. They may or may not include Easter, depending on the year and the state.
- Term 2: to late June or early July.
- Winter holidays: about two weeks in late June or July.
- Term 3: to late September or early October.
- Spring holidays: about two weeks in late September or October.
- Term 4: to mid or late December.
- Summer holidays: about six weeks from mid to late December until late January or early February.
The exact start and end dates differ by state. Some states' holidays overlap almost completely; others are a week apart. When states' holidays overlap, popular destinations get especially busy.
Official calendars by state and territory
- New South Wales: NSW Department of Education school calendars. NSW also uses Eastern and Western division dates for some regional schools.
- Victoria: Victorian Government school term dates.
- Queensland: Department of Education term dates.
- Western Australia: Department of Education future term dates. WA's calendar can differ noticeably from the eastern states.
- South Australia: Department for Education term dates.
- Tasmania: Department for Education, Children and Young People term dates.
- Northern Territory: NT Government school term dates.
- Australian Capital Territory: ACT Government school term dates.
All of these are linked in the sources below.
Why school holidays matter for travel
Prices. Airfares, accommodation, campervans and tours often cost more during school holidays, sometimes much more.
Availability. Family favourites such as beach towns, national park campgrounds, theme parks on the Gold Coast and ski resorts in winter book out early.
Crowds and traffic. Highways out of the capital cities are busy on the first and last weekends of the holidays.
Events. Many attractions run special holiday programs for children, which is great if you are travelling as a family.
Planning tips for families
- Book early. For summer and Easter, many families book months in advance.
- Travel in the shoulder. The first or last few days of a holiday period, or mid-week, can be quieter.
- Think about other states. If your holidays do not overlap with a big neighbouring state, its attractions may be quieter.
- Pre-book attractions. Many attractions sell timed tickets that sell out.
- Check cancellation terms in case plans change.
Planning tips for everyone else
If you are not tied to school holidays, avoiding them is one of the best ways to save money and enjoy quieter places. Look at the calendars for the states you will visit and their neighbours, then aim for term time. Combine that with the best season for each region.
Summer: the biggest peak
The summer holidays, running from mid-December through January, overlap with Christmas, New Year and Australia Day, and coincide with the main annual leave period for many workers. This is the busiest time of the year for domestic tourism, especially at beaches and in Tasmania. Expect high prices and book well ahead.
Winter: snow and the north
The winter holidays send families to the snowfields of New South Wales and Victoria and to the warm north, including Queensland and the Top End. Both are busy and book out early.
School holiday checklist
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Holidays and big events
School holidays sometimes coincide with major events, such as school-holiday festivals, agricultural shows and sporting finals, which can push demand even higher in a particular city. When you check the school calendar for your destination, also look at its events calendar.
Schoolies
In late November and early December, many students who have finished Year 12 travel to celebrate, often called Schoolies. Popular destinations, such as the Gold Coast and some coastal towns, become very busy, and some accommodation has restrictions or minimum ages during this period. If you are not part of the celebrations, you may want to avoid those places at that time.
Pupil-free days
Schools also have pupil-free or staff development days, which can turn a weekend into a long weekend for local families. These vary by school, so they are hard to predict, but they explain why some weekends during term are busier than expected.
Frequently asked questions
How many school terms are there in Australia?
Government schools in every state and territory follow a four-term year, with breaks between terms and a long summer holiday.
Do all states have the same school holidays?
No. Dates differ by state, sometimes by a week or more. Some states' holidays overlap, and some do not.
When is the summer school holiday?
In every state it starts in mid to late December and runs until late January or early February.
Do private schools follow the same dates?
Not always. Many independent schools set their own term dates, often with longer holidays.
Where can I find the official dates?
On each state or territory education department's website. We link to them on this page.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- NSW school calendars — NSW Department of Education
- Victorian school term dates — Victorian Government
- Queensland term dates — Queensland Department of Education
- WA school term dates — WA Department of Education
- SA school term dates — SA Department for Education
- Tasmanian school terms — Tasmanian Department for Education, Children and Young People
- NT school term dates — Northern Territory Government
- ACT school term dates — ACT Government
