Victorian parents planning for 2026 need the exact school holiday dates, whether for booking a family trip or arranging childcare. The Victorian Department of Education has published the official 2026 term dates, and we’ve laid them out here alongside public holidays and tips for private school schedules.
Government school terms per year: 4 ·
Total school holiday weeks annually: 12 ·
First day of Term 1 2026 (government schools): 27 January 2026 ·
Last day of Term 4 2026 (government schools): 18 December 2026 ·
Public holidays in Victoria 2026: 13
Quick snapshot
- Term 1 2026: 27 Jan – 2 Apr (Victorian Department of Education official PDF)
- Term 2: 20 Apr – 26 Jun (Victorian Department of Education official PDF)
- Term 3: 13 Jul – 18 Sep (Officeworks school holiday guide)
- Term 4: 5 Oct – 18 Dec (Victorian Department of Education official PDF)
- 2027 term dates have not been published as of 2025 (Department of Education – no 2027 PDF yet)
- Some private schools may set different dates – no central list (State Library Victoria education guide)
- Term 1 starts 27 Jan 2026, first day for students 28 Jan (Learnmate VIC school holidays guide)
- Easter weekend 3–6 Apr overlaps with Autumn break (Studiosity school terms and public holidays)
- Term 4 ends 18 Dec 2026, summer break till late Jan 2027 (Learnmate VIC school holidays guide)
- 2026–2027 summer holidays start 19 Dec 2026 (Learnmate summer break)
- 2027 term dates expected late 2025 / early 2026 (Department of Education – pattern)
- Private school calendars released individually by each school (Learnmate summer break)
Six key measurements, one pattern: Victoria structures its school year into four terms with two-week breaks between most and a six-week summer holiday. Here’s the data at a glance.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total school days in 2026 | 200 (approx) |
| Total holiday days in 2026 (school vacation only) | 65 |
| Public holidays during school terms | 8 |
| Term length range | 9–11 weeks |
| Holiday break between terms | 2 weeks (Term 1–2, 2–3, 3–4); 6 weeks (Term 4–1) |
When are the school holidays for Victoria in 2026?
The 2026 school year for Victorian government schools runs from Tuesday 27 January to Friday 18 December, broken into four terms. The official PDF from the Victorian Department of Education (state government authority) sets these dates, which apply to all government primary and secondary schools.
Term 1 2026 dates (27 Jan – 2 Apr)
- First day for teachers: 27 Jan 2026
- First day for students: 28 Jan 2026 (Learnmate VIC school holidays guide)
- Last day: Thursday 2 Apr 2026
- Length: 10 weeks
The autumn break runs from Friday 3 April to Sunday 19 April – 17 days that include the Easter public holidays. Werribee Primary School (school notice) notes these dates were reinstated after the 2026 Commonwealth Games cancellation.
Term 2 2026 dates (20 Apr – 26 Jun)
- Starts: Monday 20 Apr 2026
- Ends: Friday 26 Jun 2026
- Length: 10 weeks
- Public holiday: King’s Birthday (8 Jun 2026) (Studiosity school terms and public holidays)
The winter break runs Saturday 27 June to Sunday 12 July – 16 days. Officeworks school holiday guide confirms the same period.
Term 2 includes the King’s Birthday public holiday, giving families a three-day weekend without dipping into holiday allowance.
Term 3 2026 dates (13 Jul – 18 Sep)
- Starts: Monday 13 Jul 2026
- Ends: Friday 18 Sep 2026
- Length: 10 weeks
Spring holidays run Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October – 16 days, as listed by Learnmate VIC school holidays guide.
Term 4 2026 dates (5 Oct – 18 Dec)
- Starts: Monday 5 Oct 2026
- Ends: Friday 18 Dec 2026
- Length: 11 weeks
- Public holiday: Melbourne Cup Day (3 Nov 2026) (Studiosity school terms and public holidays)
The summer holiday break begins Saturday 19 December 2026 and runs until the start of the 2027 school year – roughly six weeks.
Term 4 is the odd one out at 11 weeks, meaning the final sprint before summer is a week longer than the others. For Melbourne Cup Day, check with your school – some treat it as a student‑free day, others hold class.
The implication: Victoria’s 2026 calendar gives families 12 weeks of total school holidays, with the longest stretch being the six‑week summer break. Most public holidays fall inside term time, so you get extra long weekends without eating into vacation days.
What are the school term dates for VIC in 2027?
As of 2025, the Victorian Department of Education has not released the official 2027 term dates. Based on historical patterns, the structure is predictable.
Anticipated pattern for 2027 term dates
The 2027 schedule is expected to mirror 2026’s rhythm:
- Term 1: late January – early April
- Term 2: late April – late June
- Term 3: mid‑July – mid‑September
- Term 4: early October – mid‑December
Where to find official 2027 calendars
The Department of Education typically publishes the PDF about 12 months ahead. Keep checking education.vic.gov.au (state government portal) for updates. State Library Victoria education resource guide also recommends subscribing to your school’s newsletter for early notice.
What this means: if you’re planning a holiday in early 2027, pencil in the approximate dates but hold off on non‑refundable bookings until the official PDF drops. The pattern is reliable, but exact start and end dates shift by a day or two each year.
When are the Easter school holidays in VIC 2026?
Easter 2026 falls early, and the timing works in families’ favour: it lands right inside the autumn school break.
Easter 2026 date (3–6 Apr 2026)
- Good Friday: 3 Apr 2026
- Easter Sunday: 5 Apr 2026
- Easter Monday: 6 Apr 2026 (Studiosity public holiday dates)
School holiday overlap with Easter
Term 1 ends on Thursday 2 April, so the Easter long weekend is the first few days of the autumn break. This means no school days are lost to Easter – it’s purely holiday time. Learnmate VIC school holidays guide lists the autumn break as 3–19 April, giving families the full Easter period off without needing to request leave.
Because Easter sits in the break, you won’t get a separate pupil‑free day for Good Friday. The usual long weekend is already holiday. For shift workers, this means no extra day off – but it does mean uninterrupted family time.
The catch: families who rely on Easter public holidays for a four‑day weekend during term won’t get one in 2026 – it’s already school holidays. Plan your travel knowing the autumn break runs 17 days straight.
Do private schools in Victoria have different holiday dates in 2026?
Not all schools follow the government calendar. Independent schools set their own term dates, and Catholic schools often align with government dates but with minor adjustments.
Differences between government and independent school holidays
- Government schools: dates set by the Department of Education; uniform across the state.
- Independent schools: each school board decides its calendar – some start a week earlier or later. (State Library Victoria education guide)
- Catholic schools: typically follow government dates but may shift a day or two for religious observances.
How to find private school term dates
There is no centralised list for all private schools. The best approach is to check each school’s website or contact its administration directly. Some independent schools publish their calendars 18 months ahead, so 2026 dates should already be available for many.
Why this matters: if your child attends a non‑government school, never assume the government dates apply. One school’s holiday break can be another’s exam week. Always verify directly with the school to avoid double‑booking family plans.
Where can I download the VIC school holidays 2026 PDF?
The official PDF from the Department of Education is free, requires no registration, and includes both term dates and public holidays.
Official Department of Education PDF link
- Go to education.vic.gov.au (Department of Education term-dates PDF).
- The PDF opens directly in your browser – no login needed.
- Download or print the calendar. It covers 2026–2030.
Alternative sources for printable calendar
- Officeworks school holiday guide offers a simple list of VIC holidays.
- Learnmate VIC school holidays guide includes term lengths and public holiday notes.
- Studiosity school terms and public holidays provides a table with all public holidays within terms.
The upshot: the PDF is your single source of truth. Third-party sites are useful for quick reference but always cross‑check against the official document, especially if you’re planning non‑refundable bookings.
2026 Victorian school year timeline
- 27 Jan 2026 – Term 1 starts (government schools)
- 2 Apr 2026 – Term 1 ends
- 3–6 Apr 2026 – Easter weekend
- 20 Apr 2026 – Term 2 starts
- 25 Apr 2026 – ANZAC Day public holiday
- 26 Jun 2026 – Term 2 ends
- 13 Jul 2026 – Term 3 starts
- 18 Sep 2026 – Term 3 ends
- 5 Oct 2026 – Term 4 starts
- 18 Dec 2026 – Term 4 ends (last day of school year)
Confirmed facts
- 2026 term dates for government schools are published by the Department of Education (official PDF)
- 2026 public holidays are fixed by state law (Studiosity)
- Private schools may set different dates (State Library Victoria)
What’s unclear
- 2027 term dates have not been published as of 2025
- Exact dates for some private schools are not centrally listed
What the experts say
“The 2026 term dates have been reinstated to their original schedule following the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.”
“Minor variations exist for non-government schools, and parents should always confirm directly with their child’s school.”
State Library Victoria (education resource guide)
For Victorian families, the 2026 school calendar is locked in: four terms, 12 weeks of holidays, and a summer break that stretches nearly six weeks. The Department of Education’s PDF remains the gold standard for planning – but if your child attends an independent school, don’t assume the dates apply. For those booking 2027 holidays now, the pattern is predictable enough to pencil in, but wait for the official release before committing to non‑refundable deposits. The choice for Victorian parents is clear: bookmark the PDF, check your school’s calendar, and enjoy the rare Easter break that falls entirely inside school holidays.
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Frequently asked questions
How many weeks of school holidays are there in Victoria?
Victoria’s government schools have about 12 weeks of school holidays per year: two weeks between Terms 1–2, 2–3, and 3–4, plus six weeks over summer.
When is the longest school holiday break in Victoria?
The longest is the summer break, which runs from mid‑December to late January – roughly six weeks.
Are school holiday dates the same every year?
No, they shift slightly each year. The Department of Education publishes new dates about 12 months ahead.
Do Catholic schools in Victoria follow the same term dates?
Most Catholic schools align closely with government dates but may vary by a day or two. Check with your local school.
What is the first day of school in Victoria 2026?
For government schools, the first day for students is Wednesday 28 January 2026. Teachers start on Tuesday 27 January.
Where can I find a printable 2026 school holiday calendar?
Download the official PDF from the Department of Education’s website – free and no registration required.
Are there school holidays during the Melbourne Cup?
No, Melbourne Cup Day (3 November 2026) is a public holiday during Term 4, but it’s not a school holiday. Some schools treat it as a student‑free day.
Ethan Fraser is Senior Reporter at Aussie Focus Hub, covering breaking stories and explainers.