Victoria School Holidays 2026: Term Dates & Calendar
Planning ahead for 2026? If you’ve got school-aged kids in Victoria, getting a head start on the term calendar means fewer last-minute scrambles when school breaks roll around. The Victorian Department of Education releases the official dates, and we’ve pulled them together here so you can see exactly when those two-week breaks fall — from the January start through to the December finish.
Term 1 Dates: Tuesday 27 January to Thursday 2 April 2026 ·
Term 2 Dates: Monday 20 April to Friday 26 June 2026 ·
Autumn Holidays: 3 April to 19 April 2026 ·
Winter Holidays: 27 June to 12 July 2026 ·
Spring Holidays: 19 September 2026 onwards
Quick snapshot
- Term 1 2026 runs 27 Jan – 2 Apr (Victorian Government)
- Autumn break: 3 Apr – 19 Apr 2026 (Officeworks)
- Winter break: 27 Jun – 12 Jul 2026 (Officeworks)
- Exact start dates for private and Catholic schools may vary from government school dates
- 2027 crossover dates not yet published
- School year begins late January with staff returning 27 Jan, students 28 Jan
- Four distinct holiday periods break up the school year
- Term 3 and 4 dates follow the winter break
- Summer holidays begin 19 December 2026
What are the dates for Victorian school holidays in 2026?
The Victorian school year divides into four distinct holiday windows, each anchored by public holidays and lasting between two and four weeks. Families who mark these periods early avoid the last-minute scramble for holiday bookings and childcare that catches many parents off guard each term.
| Key Date | Value |
|---|---|
| Term 1 Start | Tuesday 27 January 2026 |
| Term 1 End | Thursday 2 April 2026 |
| Term 2 Start | Monday 20 April 2026 |
| Term 2 End | Friday 26 June 2026 |
| Government Schools Note | Students start Wednesday 28 January Term 1 |
The implication: the first day of term for government schools is Wednesday 28 January, one day after staff return. Families should plan around this two-day staggered start.
Term 1 Holidays
Term 1 2026 officially begins on Tuesday 27 January, when teaching staff return to schools, according to the Victorian Government official school term dates page. Government school students commence the following day, on Wednesday 28 January. The term runs through until Thursday 2 April, giving students approximately 10 weeks of instruction before the first major break.
Autumn Holidays
The autumn school holidays in Victoria 2026 span from Friday 3 April through Sunday 19 April, as listed by Officeworks school holidays calendar. This period incorporates the Easter long weekend, with Good Friday falling on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April in 2026.
Term 2 Holidays
Term 2 2026 runs from Monday 20 April to Friday 26 June, per the Victorian Government’s official dates. After this 10-week term, the winter break begins on Saturday 27 June and extends through Sunday 12 July 2026.
What are the term dates for Vic schools in 2026?
Victorian schools follow a predictable four-term structure, with each term lasting between 10 and 11 weeks. The pattern gives families regular breaks while maximizing instruction time across the academic year.
Term 1: January to April
Victorian Term 1 2026 encompasses the summer-to-autumn transition, running from Tuesday 27 January through Thursday 2 April. The Victorian Department of Education confirms this gives roughly 10 weeks of instruction. Australia Day (26 January) falls within the lead-up to term commencement, meaning most families will have that public holiday before the school year kicks off.
Term 2: April to June
Term 2 begins immediately after the autumn break on Monday 20 April and concludes on Friday 26 June. According to Victoria School Holidays, this term also comprises approximately 10 weeks of instruction. Queen’s Birthday falls on Monday 8 June during this term — a public holiday that gives students an extra long weekend.
Term 3 and 4 Dates
Victorian Term 3 2026 runs from Monday 13 July to Friday 18 September, as confirmed by the Victorian Government’s official page. Term 4 then spans from Monday 5 October to Friday 18 December — the longest term at 11 weeks. The summer break begins on Saturday 19 December 2026 and extends to Monday 26 January 2027.
Parents should note that while the state-wide term dates are fixed, individual schools may schedule staff development days differently. Government schools typically use 28 January as the student-free start day, but the exact first day for students can vary by school.
What holidays are in Victoria in 2026?
Victoria’s public holiday calendar overlaps with school terms at strategic points, creating natural long weekends that extend breaks without requiring additional leave for working parents.
Public Holidays List
Victoria observes several public holidays that fall within or adjacent to school terms. According to the Victorian Department of Education official term dates PDF, these include New Year’s Day (1 January), Australia Day (26 January), Good Friday (3 April), Easter Saturday (4 April), Easter Sunday (5 April), Easter Monday (6 April), Anzac Day (25 April), King’s Birthday (8 June), AFL Grand Final Eve (24 September), Melbourne Cup Day (3 November), and Christmas Day (25 December).
School Holiday Periods
Four main school holiday periods interrupt the Victorian school year in 2026. The Officeworks school holidays page lists the autumn break (3–19 April), winter break (27 June–12 July), spring break (19 September–4 October), and summer break (19 December–26 January 2027). Spring holidays coincide with AFL Grand Final preparations, giving families a long weekend anchored by Grand Final Eve on 24 September.
When a public holiday falls adjacent to school holidays, some families benefit from extended breaks without using additional leave. For instance, Easter Monday (6 April) falls within the autumn break, effectively giving students a longer holiday without requiring extra time off work for parents.
What are the dates for Easter holidays in 2026?
Easter 2026 arrives early in the calendar, positioning the autumn break as the first major holiday window of the school year. The timing affects travel planning for many Victorian families.
Easter Break Details
Easter 2026 falls relatively early in the calendar, with Good Friday on 3 April. The Officeworks holiday calendar shows the autumn break starting on this date, running through to Sunday 19 April. This means Term 2 doesn’t begin until Monday 20 April — a full two weeks after Good Friday.
The timing works well for families planning getaways, as the break aligns with the end of the first school term. According to Victoria School Holidays, this gives approximately two weeks of school-free time spanning the Easter long weekend plus the intervening days.
Private school holidays Victoria 2026
Private and Catholic schools operate with greater autonomy over their calendars, which can create minor variations from the government school schedule that families need to account for.
Differences from Government Schools
Private and Catholic schools in Victoria generally follow the same statewide term dates as government schools, but they retain flexibility to set their own student-free days and staff professional development periods. According to the Victorian Government’s guidance, non-government schools must notify families of their specific calendar each year. Parents with children at independent schools should check directly with their school for the precise first day of term and any variations to the standard holiday period start and end dates.
Some private schools also add pupil-free days at the beginning or end of terms, which can slightly extend the effective holiday period for families. The Victorian Department of Education official PDF notes that while the core term dates apply broadly, school-specific variations are common in the independent sector.
If your child attends a private or Catholic school, contact the school’s administration office before booking end-of-term travel. Most will have their 2026 calendar finalized by late 2025 — ask for it before committing to any travel plans that fall close to term boundaries.
Victorian School Holidays Timeline 2026
This timeline shows how the Victorian school year flows from January through December, with term instruction periods followed by holiday breaks of varying lengths.
| Period | Dates | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Jan – 2 Apr 2026 | Term 1 | 10 weeks instruction |
| 3 Apr – 19 Apr 2026 | Autumn/Easter Holidays | 17 days |
| 20 Apr – 26 Jun 2026 | Term 2 | 10 weeks instruction |
| 27 Jun – 12 Jul 2026 | Winter Holidays | 16 days |
| 13 Jul – 18 Sep 2026 | Term 3 | 10 weeks instruction |
| 19 Sep – 4 Oct 2026 | Spring Holidays | 16 days |
| 5 Oct – 18 Dec 2026 | Term 4 | 11 weeks instruction |
| 19 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 | Summer Holidays | 39 days |
The pattern: the longest breaks (summer at 39 days, autumn at 17 days) offer the best windows for extended travel or camp bookings, while winter and spring provide shorter respites that still avoid pulling children out during instruction periods.
Confirmed facts
- Government school term dates from vic.gov.au (tier1 source)
- Holiday periods confirmed by Officeworks and Victoria School Holidays (tier2)
- Public holidays listed in Victorian Department of Education PDF
- Each term comprises 10–11 weeks of instruction
What’s unclear
- Exact first-day-of-term dates for private and Catholic schools
- Individual school pupil-free day schedules
- 2027 calendar crossover dates not yet published
What authorities say
The school term dates and holidays shown on this page apply to all government schools in Victoria. Non-government schools may have different dates.
— Victorian Government (official state education authority)
Our comprehensive calendar provides Victorian school holiday dates, term dates, and public holiday information to help families plan their year ahead.
— Officeworks (retailer and educational resource provider)
What this means for Victorian families
The pattern is consistent: roughly 10 weeks of school, then two to three weeks off. Victorian families can plan around these cycles starting now. The autumn and summer breaks are the longest, giving families the best windows for extended travel or camp bookings. Winter and spring breaks offer shorter respites but still provide valuable family time without pulling children out of school during instruction periods.
For working parents, the breaks align reasonably well with major Australian public holidays, reducing the need for additional leave during some periods. The Easter break, in particular, benefits from the long weekend structure — Good Friday through Easter Monday naturally extends the holiday without requiring parents to use discretionary leave.
Term dates can occasionally shift due to unforeseen circumstances. Families should bookmark the Victorian Government’s official term dates page and check back if conditions change significantly in any given term.
Related reading: New Year’s Day public holiday · working days in a year
newywithkids.com.au, guides.slv.vic.gov.au, excelacademics.com.au
Frequently asked questions
When does school start in Victoria 2026?
Staff return to government schools on Tuesday 27 January 2026, with students commencing on Wednesday 28 January. Private and Catholic schools may have slightly different first-day dates — check with your school directly.
What are public holidays during school terms in Victoria 2026?
Key public holidays include Australia Day (26 January, during Term 1 lead-in), Anzac Day (25 April, mid-Term 1), Queen’s Birthday (8 June, during Term 2), AFL Grand Final Eve (24 September, during Term 3), and Melbourne Cup Day (3 November, during Term 4).
Where can I download a Victoria school holidays 2026 calendar?
The Victorian Department of Education publishes an official PDF calendar at education.vic.gov.au. Retailers like Officeworks also maintain printable calendars on their websites.
Are school holidays the same in Melbourne 2026?
Yes — school holiday dates apply statewide across Victoria, including Melbourne. All government schools follow the same statewide term dates regardless of location within the state.
What are the spring school holidays in Victoria 2026?
The spring holidays run from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October 2026. This break coincides with AFL Grand Final Eve (24 September), giving families a long weekend as the footy finals approach.
How do school holidays align with public holidays in VIC 2026?
Easter Monday (6 April) falls within the autumn break, while AFL Grand Final Eve (24 September) falls within the spring break. Anzac Day (25 April) occurs mid-term, and Queen’s Birthday (8 June) occurs mid-term as well, giving students additional long weekends without extending official holiday periods.
When is the winter break for Victorian schools 2026?
The winter break spans Saturday 27 June to Sunday 12 July 2026. Term 3 resumes on Monday 13 July. This gives families approximately two and a half weeks during the middle of the year — useful for school holiday programs or short trips.
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