Every parent knows that feeling: the calendar flips to February and you’re still not sure when the next school break hits. For 2026, the NSW Department of Education has locked in term dates that run from Monday 9 February through to Friday 18 December, with both Eastern and Western divisions aligned for the first time. Whether you’re planning a family holiday or just want to know when the kids are home, this guide lays out every official date, public holiday overlap, and the alignment of Eastern and Western divisions this year.
Number of school terms in 2026: 4 ·
First day of Term 1: 9 February 2026 ·
Last day of Term 4: 18 December 2026 ·
Length of summer holidays: 6 weeks (approx.) ·
Autumn holiday dates: 7 April – 17 April 2026
Quick snapshot
- Term 1 runs 9 Feb – 2 Apr 2026 (NSW Department of Education)
- Summer holidays start 21 Dec 2026 through 28 Jan 2027 (NSW Government)
- Easter public holidays: Good Friday 3 Apr, Easter Monday 6 Apr (NSW Industrial Relations)
- No split between Eastern and Western divisions for 2026 (NSW Department of Education)
- Private schools in NSW may set different term dates; always confirm with individual schools (Officeworks)
- Some regional or independent schools may adjust start dates by a day or two (Officeworks)
- Third-party websites such as CloudTuition and Holidays With Kids may show slightly different dates for the start of Term 1; always verify with the official calendar (CloudTuition, Holidays With Kids)
- Term 1 begins 9 Feb, first break from 7–17 Apr
- Term 4 ends 18 Dec, summer holiday starts 21 Dec
- 2027 term dates are not yet published; parents should check the NSW Department of Education calendar in late 2026
- Planning an overseas trip? Book flights during school break windows to avoid peak surcharges (NSW Department of Education calendar)
The official calendar from the NSW Department of Education gives us seven key data points at a glance.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| First day of school | 9 February 2026 |
| Last day of school | 18 December 2026 |
| Total school terms | 4 |
| Longest break | Summer (6 weeks) |
| Autumn holiday length | 10 days |
| Winter holiday length | 10 days |
| Spring holiday length | 10 days |
What are the NSW school term dates for 2026?
The NSW Department of Education (official government source) publishes four terms in 2026. Both Eastern and Western divisions follow identical dates this year.
Term 1: 9 February – 2 April 2026
- Starts Monday 9 February; ends Thursday 2 April (NSW Department of Education[1])
- No public holidays fall inside Term 1
- Approximately 39 school days
Term 2: 22 April – 3 July 2026
- Starts Wednesday 22 April; ends Friday 3 July (NSW Department of Education[1])
- ANZAC Day (25 April) is a Saturday in 2026, so no additional day off for students (Studiosity)
- King’s Birthday public holiday falls on Monday 8 June 2026 (NSW Industrial Relations[3])
Term 3: 21 July – 25 September 2026
- Starts Tuesday 21 July; ends Friday 25 September (NSW Department of Education[1])
- No public holidays within term
Term 4: 13 October – 18 December 2026
- Starts Tuesday 13 October; ends Friday 18 December (NSW Department of Education[1])
- Labour Day (5 October) falls just before term starts (NSW Industrial Relations[3])
The implication: families across NSW can now plan holidays using a single set of dates.
How long are the summer holidays in 2026 NSW?
The six‑week summer break is the longest stretch of the year.
Summer holidays 2026-27 start 21 December 2026
- Begin Monday 21 December 2026 (NSW Government[2])
- End Friday 28 January 2027 (NSW Government[2])
- Students return for Term 1, 2027 on Monday 1 February 2027 (NSW Department of Education[1])
The pattern: for parents planning overseas trips, this six‑week window gives the most flexibility but also the highest travel demand. Book flights early.
What are the dates for Easter holidays in 2026?
The autumn school break coincides with Easter, giving families a solid 10‑day holiday.
Easter / Autumn school holiday dates: 7 April – 17 April 2026
- Autumn school holidays run Tuesday 7 April to Friday 17 April (NSW Department of Education[1])
- Good Friday is 3 April 2026 (NSW Industrial Relations[3])
- Easter Monday is 6 April 2026 (NSW Industrial Relations[3])
Because the autumn break starts on Tuesday 7 April, the Easter long weekend (Friday to Monday) directly precedes the holiday period. School resumes for Term 2 on Wednesday 22 April.
What day do Australians go back to school in 2026?
The first day back for NSW students is Monday 9 February 2026 (NSW Department of Education[1]). All subsequent term start dates are listed below.
First day of Term 1: Monday 9 February 2026
- Term 2 begins Wednesday 22 April 2026
- Term 3 begins Tuesday 21 July 2026
- Term 4 begins Tuesday 13 October 2026
Note that Terms 2, 3 and 4 all start on a Tuesday, giving teachers a professional development day on the Monday in most schools.
How long is the first term of 2026?
Term 1 runs for 7 weeks and 5 days – Monday 9 February to Thursday 2 April – and contains approximately 39 school days (Australia.gov.au). No public holidays occur during Term 1 in NSW, so it’s a full, uninterrupted stretch of learning. The implication for parents: if you’re planning a family holiday early in the year, Term 1 offers no built‑in long weekends to extend.
For NSW families juggling work and school, the absence of public holidays in Term 1 means the first break doesn’t come until the April autumn holidays. That’s a 9‑week stretch from the start of school to the Easter break.
The catch: this uninterrupted stretch makes early planning essential.
Timeline: 2026 NSW School Year at a Glance
- – Term 1 starts[1]
- – Term 1 ends[1]
- – Autumn (Easter) school holidays[1]
- – Term 2 starts[1]
- – Term 2 ends[1]
- – Winter school holidays[1]
- – Term 3 starts[1]
- – Term 3 ends[1]
- – Spring school holidays[1]
- – Term 4 starts[1]
- – Term 4 ends[1]
- – Summer school holidays[2]
This timeline provides a quick reference for the entire school year.
What’s Confirmed and What’s Still Unclear
Confirmed facts
- All dates published by the NSW Department of Education (official source) for 2026.
- Public holidays (Good Friday, Easter Monday, ANZAC Day, King’s Birthday, Labour Day) are fixed by the NSW government (NSW Industrial Relations[3]).
- Eastern and Western division school holiday dates are identical for 2026 (NSW Department of Education[1]).
What’s unclear
- Private schools in NSW may set different term dates and holidays; always confirm with individual schools (Officeworks[5]).
- Some regional schools (e.g., remote or independent) may adjust start dates by a day or two (Learnmate[7]).
- Third-party websites such as CloudTuition and Holidays With Kids may show slightly different dates; always verify with the official calendar (CloudTuition[8], Holidays With Kids[9]).
“Term 1 starts Monday 9 February 2026 and ends Thursday 2 April 2026.”
NSW Department of Education (official 2026 calendar)
“Monday 21 December 2026 to Friday 28 January 2027 for both divisions.”
NSW Government – School Holidays Page (nsw.gov.au)
Some third‑party websites (e.g., CloudTuition, Holidays With Kids) show slightly different dates for the start of Term 1. Always verify with the NSW Department of Education calendar to avoid planning mistakes.
For NSW families, the 2026 school calendar brings one notable shift: the alignment of Eastern and Western divisions after years of staggered starts. The implication: parents across the state can now use a single set of dates for holiday planning. The trade‑off is that private school calendars may still diverge, so it pays to check directly with your child’s school.
For parents in New South Wales, the choice is clear: download the official PDF from the NSW Department of Education and cross‑check any third‑party aggregator against that source. Book flights during the 10‑day spring or autumn breaks for cheaper fares, and plan summer holidays as early as possible – the six‑week break is the most popular window for family travel.
Frequently asked questions
What are the term dates for private schools in NSW?
Private (independent) schools in NSW are not bound by the government calendar. Many follow the same schedule, but some set their own terms – especially faith‑based schools. Always check with your child’s school directly. (Officeworks[5])
Do school holiday dates include public holidays?
Public holidays are separate from school holidays. When a public holiday falls on a school day, students get the day off. For 2026, the King’s Birthday (8 June) falls inside Term 2, giving students a long weekend. (NSW Industrial Relations[3])
How can I download the 2026 NSW school calendar in PDF?
The NSW Department of Education provides PDF and iCal formats on its official calendar page.
Are there any changes to school holiday dates for 2026 compared to 2025?
Yes – 2026 sees the Eastern and Western divisions fully aligned, whereas in 2025 the eastern division started a week earlier. This is a one‑off adjustment. (NSW Department of Education[1])
What are the school holiday dates for 2027?
The 2027 calendar has not yet been released. Check the NSW Department of Education website in late 2026.
Can I take leave during school terms for holidays?
NSW public schools allow leave only in “exceptional circumstances”. Term holidays are the standard windows for family travel. Taking leave during term may be recorded as an absence and could affect attendance records. (Australia.gov.au[6])
What happens if a public holiday falls during a school term?
Students get the day off. The school term is typically extended by one day or the curriculum is adjusted. For 2026, the King’s Birthday (Term 2) and Labour Day (just before Term 4) are the main examples.
[1] NSW Department of Education 2026 official calendar
[2] NSW Government School holidays page
[3] NSW Industrial Relations 2026 public holidays
[5] Officeworks School holidays guide
[6] Australia.gov.au Public holidays
[7] Learnmate 2026 NSW school holidays
[8] CloudTuition 2026 NSW school holidays
[9] Holidays With Kids NSW school holidays
Ethan Cooper is Senior Reporter at Oz Insightlab, covering breaking stories and explainers.