Mark Your Calendars: Here’s Your 2027 School Holidays, School Term Dates & Public Holidays

The new school year is coming, which means it’s time to dig out the school bags, find the missing drink bottles and work out exactly when the kids are supposed to be back in the classroom!

Wondering when the 2027 school terms start and finish? Trying to work out the school holiday dates before booking annual leave, childcare or making Christmas plans? Or just keen to know how many more weeks of school holidays you’ve got to survive? We’ve got you sorted.

We’ve rounded up the 2027 Australian school term dates and school holidays for every state and territory, along with the public holidays you’ll want to pop straight into the family calendar.

Just remember: these dates apply to government schools. Catholic, independent and private schools can have slightly different calendars, and individual schools may also have pupil-free, development or professional development days.

2027 School Holidays: The Quick Answers

Q. Which states go back to school first in 2027?

Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory are first back, with students returning on Wednesday 27 January.

Q. When do the first school holidays of 2027 start?

Queensland and Victoria kick things off with autumn holidays starting Friday 26 March, which is Good Friday. Most other states break up on Friday 9 April.

Q. Which states get an extra Anzac Day public holiday in 2027?

Anzac Day falls on a Sunday in 2027. The ACT, NSW, the Northern Territory, Queensland and WA all get Monday 26 April off. South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria don’t.

Q. What about Christmas?

Christmas Day lands on a Saturday and Boxing Day on a Sunday, so every state and territory gets Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December as public holidays. Hello, four-day weekend!

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) School Holidays 2027

Canberra has four very distinct seasons, plenty of long weekends and a whole lot of families looking for an excuse to get out of town.

TERM 1: Tuesday 2 February to Friday 9 April
Autumn holidays: Saturday 10 April to Tuesday 27 April

TERM 2: Wednesday 28 April to Friday 2 July
Winter holidays: Saturday 3 July to Monday 19 July

TERM 3: Tuesday 20 July to Friday 24 September
Spring holidays: Saturday 25 September to Monday 11 October

TERM 4: Tuesday 12 October to Friday 17 December
Summer holidays: Saturday 18 December 2027 to Monday 7 February 2028

New students starting at a school for the first time begin a day earlier, on Monday 1 February. Don’t forget to check your child’s school calendar for pupil-free days too. Those little extra days have a habit of turning up just when you’ve got somewhere else to be.

ACT Public Holidays 2027

New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January
Australia Day: Tuesday 26 January
Canberra Day: Monday 8 March
Good Friday: Friday 26 March
Easter Saturday: Saturday 27 March
Easter Sunday: Sunday 28 March
Easter Monday: Monday 29 March
Anzac Day: Sunday 25 April and Monday 26 April
Reconciliation Day: Monday 31 May
King’s Birthday: Monday 14 June
Labour Day: Monday 4 October
Christmas Day: Saturday 25 December
Boxing Day: Sunday 26 December
Additional public holidays: Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December

New South Wales (NSW) School Holidays 2027

From Sydney beaches to snowy weekends in the mountains, NSW families have plenty of ways to spend a few days away from home.

NSW Eastern Division school term dates 2027

TERM 1: Wednesday 3 February to Friday 9 April
Autumn holidays: Monday 12 April to Friday 23 April

TERM 2: Thursday 29 April to Friday 2 July
Winter holidays: Monday 5 July to Friday 16 July

TERM 3: Tuesday 20 July to Friday 24 September
Spring holidays: Monday 27 September to Friday 8 October

TERM 4: Tuesday 12 October to Monday 20 December
Summer holidays: Tuesday 21 December 2027 to Friday 28 January 2028

NSW Western Division school term dates 2027

TERM 1: Wednesday 10 February to Friday 9 April
Autumn holidays: Monday 12 April to Friday 23 April

TERM 2: Thursday 29 April to Friday 2 July
Winter holidays: Monday 5 July to Friday 16 July

TERM 3: Tuesday 20 July to Friday 24 September
Spring holidays: Monday 27 September to Friday 8 October

TERM 4: Tuesday 12 October to Monday 20 December
Summer holidays: Tuesday 21 December 2027 to Friday 4 February 2028

These are the dates students are at school. NSW schools also have school development days at the start of each term, when teachers are in but kids stay home. In the Eastern Division, these fall from Thursday 28 January to Tuesday 2 February, on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 April, Monday 19 July and Monday 11 October. If you’re not sure which NSW calendar applies to your school, check with the school before making plans.

NSW Public Holidays 2027

New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January
Australia Day: Tuesday 26 January
Good Friday: Friday 26 March
Easter Saturday: Saturday 27 March
Easter Sunday: Sunday 28 March
Easter Monday: Monday 29 March
Anzac Day: Sunday 25 April
Additional Anzac Day public holiday: Monday 26 April
King’s Birthday: Monday 14 June
Bank Holiday: Monday 2 August (banks and some financial institutions only, not a statewide public holiday)
Labour Day: Monday 4 October
Christmas Day: Saturday 25 December
Boxing Day: Sunday 26 December
Additional public holidays: Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December

Northern Territory (NT) School Holidays 2027

In the Top End, the weather has a pretty big say in how you spend your time, especially when the kids are along for the ride.

TERM 1: Wednesday 27 January to Friday 2 April
Autumn holidays: Saturday 3 April to Monday 12 April

TERM 2: Tuesday 13 April to Friday 18 June
Winter holidays: Saturday 19 June to Monday 12 July

TERM 3: Tuesday 13 July to Friday 17 September
Spring holidays: Saturday 18 September to Monday 4 October

TERM 4: Tuesday 5 October to Thursday 9 December
Summer holidays: Friday 10 December 2027 to Monday 24 January 2028

Gunbalanya School operates on a flexible school year, so families connected with the school should check their individual calendar.

Northern Territory Public Holidays 2027

New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January
Australia Day: Tuesday 26 January
Good Friday: Friday 26 March
Easter Saturday: Saturday 27 March
Easter Sunday: Sunday 28 March
Easter Monday: Monday 29 March
Anzac Day: Sunday 25 April, with the public holiday on Monday 26 April
May Day: Monday 3 May
King’s Birthday: Monday 14 June
Picnic Day: Monday 2 August
Christmas Eve: Friday 24 December, from 7pm
Christmas Day: Saturday 25 December
Boxing Day: Sunday 26 December
Additional public holidays: Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December
New Year’s Eve: Friday 31 December, from 7pm

Queensland (QLD) School Holidays 2027

Queensland has beaches, theme parks, backyard barbecues and enough sunshine to make everyone else a little jealous.

TERM 1: Wednesday 27 January to Thursday 25 March
Autumn holidays: Friday 26 March to Sunday 11 April

TERM 2: Monday 12 April to Friday 25 June
Winter holidays: Saturday 26 June to Sunday 11 July

TERM 3: Monday 12 July to Friday 17 September
Spring holidays: Saturday 18 September to Monday 4 October

TERM 4: Tuesday 5 October to Friday 10 December
Summer holidays: Saturday 11 December 2027 to Sunday 23 January 2028

Queensland also has staff professional development days throughout the year, so check your school’s own calendar before assuming the statewide dates tell you everything you need to know.

Queensland Public Holidays 2027

New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January
Australia Day: Tuesday 26 January
Good Friday: Friday 26 March
Easter Saturday: Saturday 27 March
Easter Sunday: Sunday 28 March
Easter Monday: Monday 29 March
Anzac Day: Sunday 25 April, with the public holiday on Monday 26 April
Labour Day: Monday 3 May
Royal Queensland Show: Wednesday 11 August (Brisbane area only)
King’s Birthday: Monday 4 October
Christmas Eve: Friday 24 December, from 6pm
Christmas Day: Saturday 25 December
Boxing Day: Sunday 26 December
Additional public holidays: Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December

South Australian (SA) School Holidays 2027

South Australia has a knack for packing plenty into a long weekend, whether that means wine country, the beach or a trip into the city.

TERM 1: Wednesday 27 January to Friday 9 April
Autumn holidays: Saturday 10 April to Sunday 25 April

TERM 2: Monday 26 April to Friday 2 July
Winter holidays: Saturday 3 July to Sunday 18 July

TERM 3: Monday 19 July to Friday 24 September
Spring holidays: Saturday 25 September to Sunday 10 October

TERM 4: Monday 11 October to Friday 10 December
Summer holidays: Saturday 11 December 2027 to Sunday 30 January 2028

These dates are for South Australian state schools, so check your school’s own calendar for any extra student free days.

South Australia Public Holidays 2027

New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January
Australia Day: Tuesday 26 January
Adelaide Cup Day: Monday 8 March
Good Friday: Friday 26 March
Easter Saturday: Saturday 27 March
Easter Sunday: Sunday 28 March
Easter Monday: Monday 29 March
Anzac Day: Sunday 25 April
King’s Birthday: Monday 14 June
Labour Day: Monday 4 October
Christmas Eve: Friday 24 December, from 7pm
Christmas Day: Saturday 25 December
Proclamation Day holiday: Sunday 26 December
Additional public holidays: Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December
New Year’s Eve: Friday 31 December, from 7pm

Tasmanian (TAS) School Holidays 2027

Tasmania is made for family road trips, cosy weekends away and pretending you’re going to see “just one more” beautiful lookout.

TERM 1: Thursday 4 February to Friday 9 April
Autumn holidays: Saturday 10 April to Sunday 25 April

TERM 2: Monday 26 April to Friday 2 July
Winter holidays: Saturday 3 July to Sunday 18 July

TERM 3: Monday 19 July to Friday 24 September
Spring holidays: Saturday 25 September to Sunday 10 October

TERM 4: Monday 11 October to Thursday 16 December
Summer holidays: Friday 17 December 2027 until Term 1 2028 (2028 dates yet to be confirmed)

Colleges set their own finishing dates, so it’s also worth checking your school’s own calendar for any student free days that could throw a spanner in the childcare works.

Tasmania Public Holidays 2027

New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January
Australia Day: Tuesday 26 January
Royal Hobart Regatta: Monday 8 February (certain areas)
Eight Hours Day: Monday 8 March
Good Friday: Friday 26 March
Easter Monday: Monday 29 March
Easter Tuesday: Tuesday 30 March (generally Tasmanian Public Service only)
Anzac Day: Sunday 25 April
King’s Birthday: Monday 14 June
Royal Hobart Show: Thursday 21 October (certain areas)
Recreation Day: Monday 1 November (certain areas)
Christmas Day: Saturday 25 December
Additional Christmas public holiday: Monday 27 December
Boxing Day: Tuesday 28 December

Victorian (VIC) School Holidays 2027

Victoria has a bit of everything for families, from Melbourne adventures to country getaways, snowy escapes and beach days.

TERM 1: Thursday 28 January to Thursday 25 March
Autumn holidays: Friday 26 March to Sunday 11 April

TERM 2: Monday 12 April to Friday 25 June
Winter holidays: Saturday 26 June to Sunday 11 July

TERM 3: Monday 12 July to Friday 17 September
Spring holidays: Saturday 18 September to Sunday 3 October

TERM 4: Monday 4 October to Friday 17 December
Summer holidays: Saturday 18 December 2027 to Thursday 27 January 2028

Term 1 officially starts on Wednesday 27 January, but that’s a teacher day, so students start on Thursday 28 January. Keep an eye on your school’s curriculum days too, as they can add a few extra dates to the family calendar.

Victorian Public Holidays 2027

New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January
Australia Day: Tuesday 26 January
Labour Day: Monday 8 March
Good Friday: Friday 26 March
Saturday before Easter Sunday: Saturday 27 March
Easter Sunday: Sunday 28 March
Easter Monday: Monday 29 March
Anzac Day: Sunday 25 April
King’s Birthday: Monday 14 June
Friday before the AFL Grand Final: Date to be confirmed
Melbourne Cup Day: Tuesday 2 November
Christmas Day: Saturday 25 December
Boxing Day: Sunday 26 December
Additional public holidays: Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December

Western Australian (WA) School Holidays 2027

When you live in WA, a family getaway can mean anything from a quick trip down the coast to a holiday that requires a very serious amount of driving.

TERM 1: Monday 1 February to Friday 9 April
Autumn holidays: Saturday 10 April to Sunday 25 April

TERM 2: Tuesday 27 April to Friday 2 July (officially starts Monday 26 April, which is the Anzac Day public holiday)
Winter holidays: Saturday 3 July to Sunday 18 July

TERM 3: Monday 19 July to Friday 24 September
Spring holidays: Saturday 25 September to Sunday 10 October

TERM 4: Monday 11 October to Thursday 16 December
Summer holidays: Friday 17 December 2027 to Tuesday 1 February 2028

Before you lock anything into the family calendar, check your school’s own dates for school development days too.

Western Australian Public Holidays 2027

New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January
Australia Day: Tuesday 26 January
Labour Day: Monday 1 March
Good Friday: Friday 26 March
Easter Sunday: Sunday 28 March
Easter Monday: Monday 29 March
Anzac Day: Sunday 25 April
Additional Anzac Day public holiday: Monday 26 April
Western Australia Day: Monday 7 June
King’s Birthday: Monday 27 September (some regional areas observe a different date)
Christmas Day: Saturday 25 December
Boxing Day: Sunday 26 December
Additional public holidays: Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December

Don’t Forget the Pupil-Free Days

Just when you’ve got the school holidays and public holidays neatly sorted, pupil-free days sneak up on you when you least expect it.

Schools may have pupil-free, student free, staff development, professional development or curriculum days throughout the year. Some are set centrally, while others are organised by individual schools.

Check your child’s school calendar for these extra dates before you make childcare bookings, schedule appointments or fill the family diary.

Getting organised early makes everything easier, from booking a getaway to locking in holiday care before it fills up. Trust us. Future You will be grateful.

Because keeping track of where everyone needs to be and when is a full-time job on its own.

Sources:

• NSW Department of Education: 2027 term dates
• WA Department of Education: Term dates
• Fair Work Ombudsman: 2027 public holidays
• ACT Public Holidays 2027 (PDF)
• Australian Industry Group: NSW Anzac Day holidays 2026 and 2027
• School Holiday Activities: Tasmania term dates