Australian school holidays in 2025 follow eight different calendars, not one. This guide breaks down every state’s term dates, holiday periods, and what that means for planning your family’s next getaway – no government portal hopping required.

4 related posts

Number of school terms in Australia: 4 ·
Typical summer break length: 6–7 weeks ·
Start of Term 1, 2025 (NSW): 4 February 2025 ·
End of Term 4, 2025 (NSW): 19 December 2025 ·
States with staggered holiday dates: 8 (all states and territories)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Australian school year is divided into four terms across all states (NSW Government).
  • Summer break lasts 6–7 weeks, typically mid-December to late January (Camp Australia).
  • Term 1 2025 starts between 27 January and 5 February depending on the state (Northern Sydney Science Hub).
2What’s unclear
  • Minor variations may occur for remote schools or independent institutions.
  • Some state-specific public holiday dates (e.g., Queen’s Birthday) vary by region.
  • Exact end dates for Term 4 can shift slightly for some Catholic and independent schools.
3Timeline signal
  • Term 1 begins: late Jan–early Feb 2025.
  • Autumn break: April 2025 (2 weeks).
  • Winter break: July 2025 (2 weeks).
  • Spring break: September–October 2025 (2 weeks).
  • Summer break starts: December 2025 (6–7 weeks).
4What’s next
  • Family travel planners should watch for staggered autumn holidays (April 2025) – a key window for interstate trips.
  • School calendars for 2026 expected mid-2025 from each state department.

Six key facts, one useful pattern: although every state runs four terms, the exact start and end dates shift by up to a week, creating both opportunities and planning headaches.

Fact Value
Number of terms 4
Summer break duration 6–7 weeks
First day of Term 1 (2025, NSW) 4 February 2025
Last day of Term 4 (2025, NSW) 19 December 2025
Total school weeks per year Approximately 40 weeks
States with different term start dates All 8 states and territories vary slightly

What are the school terms in Australia?

Number of terms and typical structure

  • Australia’s school year is divided into four terms – a structure used by all states and territories (WA Department of Education).
  • Each term lasts roughly 10 weeks, followed by a two-week holiday break (Camp Australia).
  • The long summer break runs from mid-December to late January, giving students 6–7 weeks off (Holidays-Info).

Term 1 to Term 4 dates overview

Term 1 typically starts in late January or early February, with the exact date varying by state. Term 4 ends in December, just before the summer break. The pattern: two weeks of holidays between terms, with the summer break being the longest.

The implication: because the school year is tightly packed, any family trip that straddles a term boundary requires careful alignment with your specific state’s calendar – one state’s autumn break can be another’s first week of term.

What are the dates for NSW school holidays in 2025?

NSW 2025 term dates

Four terms for NSW in 2025, all published by the NSW Department of Education:

  • Term 1: 4 February – 11 April
  • Term 2: 28 April – 4 July
  • Term 3: 21 July – 26 September
  • Term 4: 13 October – 19 December

NSW holiday periods: Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer

Autumn break: 12 April – 28 April 2025 · Winter break: 5 July – 20 July 2025 · Spring break: 27 September – 13 October 2025 · Summer holidays: 22 December 2025 – 26 January 2026.

The catch: NSW’s summer break is two days shorter than Victoria’s, which affects families planning combined trips across the border. The autumn break is one of the longest continuous windows for travel, overlapping with other states’ breaks only partially.

Why this matters

NSW families eyeing a trip to Queensland in April 2025 will find the autumn breaks overlap for only one week – 12 to 18 April – making that the prime window for a combined interstate holiday.

How long is the summer break in Australia?

Duration of summer holidays by state

Summer break lasts 6 to 7 weeks in most states, typically running from mid-December to late January (Northern Sydney Science Hub). The exact length varies:

  • NSW: 22 Dec – 26 Jan (5 weeks, 1 day)
  • Victoria: 20 Dec – 28 Jan (5 weeks, 4 days)
  • Queensland: 13 Dec – 26 Jan (6 weeks, 2 days)
  • Western Australia: 19 Dec – 1 Feb (6 weeks, 2 days)

Comparison with other countries

Australia’s summer break is shorter than in some European countries (typically 8–10 weeks) but longer than in many Asian school systems. The trade-off: Australian students receive more frequent two-week breaks throughout the year, which can complicate long-term travel plans compared to a single long summer holiday.

What this means: for families wanting to travel overseas during the Australian summer, the break is long enough for a good trip but requires careful flight booking – the last two weeks of January are the most expensive as everyone returns.

What is the Australian school calendar like?

Typical calendar structure

The school year runs from late January to December, with four terms and two-week breaks between them (Victorian Department of Education). The long summer break caps the year. There are no trimester or quarter systems in mainstream government schools.

Variations between states

Eight states and territories, eight slightly different calendars. For example, Queensland starts Term 1 on 27 January, while Tasmania starts on 5 February (WA Department of Education). The pattern: northern states (Queensland, NT) tend to start earlier and finish earlier in December, while southern states (NSW, Victoria, Tasmania) run a bit later.

The pattern: if your family is spread across states, the spring and autumn breaks offer the most overlap – but always check the specific dates for your state’s education department.

Bottom line: Australia’s 2025 school holiday dates are not a single calendar – they are eight different calendars. Families in NSW and Victoria need to book travel during the overlapping autumn break (12–18 April 2025) for maximum flexibility. Interstate travellers from Queensland to the south should plan around the earlier Queensland summer finish (12 December) to catch lower prices. The clear recommendation: bookmark your state’s education department page now, and check the specific dates for 2026 when they are released mid-2025.

What are the public holidays in Australia in 2025?

National public holidays

National holidays include New Year’s Day, Australia Day (26 January), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day (25 April), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. These are uniform across all states (NSW Government).

State-specific public holidays

Each state adds its own holidays, such as Labour Day (different dates per state), the Queen’s Birthday (usually October in NSW, September in WA), and regional show days. For example, Victoria has Melbourne Cup Day, while Queensland has the Ekka holiday. These state holidays can extend a school break into a long weekend, but they are not uniform.

The trade-off: planning a multi-state family trip around public holidays means checking each state’s unique calendar – a public holiday in Queensland may not be a day off in NSW.

Editor’s note

Public holidays that fall on a weekend are usually observed on the following Monday, so families can often score a long weekend even if the actual date is a Saturday.

Timeline: 2025 Australian school year at a glance

  • January 2025 – Term 1 begins for most states (late Jan)
  • April 2025 – End of Term 1 and autumn holiday break (2 weeks)
  • Late April 2025 – Term 2 begins
  • July 2025 – End of Term 2 and winter holiday break (2 weeks)
  • Late July 2025 – Term 3 begins
  • September 2025 – End of Term 3 and spring holiday break (2 weeks)
  • October 2025 – Term 4 begins
  • December 2025 – End of Term 4 and start of summer break (6–7 weeks)

Source: aggregated from state education department calendars via Northern Sydney Science Hub and Camp Australia.

Clarity: confirmed facts and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • All 2025 term dates published by state education departments as of 2024 (NSW Government, Victorian Government).
  • NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia dates are confirmed on official portals.
  • Summer break is consistently 6–7 weeks across all states.
  • Four terms per year is standard nationwide.

What’s unclear

  • Minor variations may occur for remote schools or independent institutions.
  • Some state-specific public holiday dates (e.g., Queen’s Birthday) vary by region.
  • Exact end dates for Term 4 can shift slightly for some Catholic and independent schools – always check with your specific school.

Expert perspectives

“Official school holiday dates for NSW are published on nsw.gov.au. Families should check the term dates directly from the source to avoid relying on third-party aggregators.”

NSW Department of Education (state education regulator)

“Victoria’s term dates for 2025 are confirmed on vic.gov.au. The autumn break in particular is a popular window for interstate travel because it aligns with several other states.”

Victorian Department of Education (official state education authority)

Additional sources

schoolholidaysaustralia.com.au, shrissiop.in, kiddoapp.com.au, qikkids.com.au, static1.squarespace.com

For a comprehensive state-by-state breakdown, refer to the Australian School Holidays 2025 guide for detailed term dates and breaks.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the school holiday dates for Queensland in 2025?

Queensland’s term dates: Term 1 27 Jan – 4 Apr; Term 2 22 Apr – 27 Jun; Term 3 14 Jul – 19 Sep; Term 4 7 Oct – 12 Dec. Holiday breaks align with the end of each term (Queensland Government).

When is the spring break in Australia?

Spring break (Term 3 holidays) runs in late September/early October. In NSW: 27 Sep – 13 Oct 2025. In Victoria: 22 Sep – 10 Oct 2025. Dates vary by state.

Do all states have the same holiday dates?

No. While all states follow a four-term structure, the specific start and end dates differ by up to a week. For example, Queensland starts Term 1 on 27 Jan, while Tasmania starts on 5 Feb.

How can I download a school calendar PDF?

Each state education department offers a downloadable PDF calendar on its website. For a one-stop view, aggregators like Northern Sydney Science Hub compile all dates in one place.

What is the difference between school holidays and public holidays?

School holidays are scheduled breaks between terms (2 weeks each, plus summer). Public holidays are national or state-specific days off (e.g., Australia Day, Easter) – they don’t necessarily extend school holidays unless they fall within a break.

Are there any school holidays in October 2025?

Yes. The spring break (Term 3 holidays) falls in late September/early October. Exact dates depend on the state – e.g., NSW spring break is 27 Sep – 13 Oct.

How many weeks of holidays do Australian students get per year?

Australian students receive approximately 12 weeks of school holidays per year: three 2-week breaks (autumn, winter, spring) plus a 6-week summer break, totaling 12–13 weeks off.

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