Australia School Holiday Schedule: Look up official school break dates by state

In Australia, a school break is a period when students take time off from school to rest, recharge, and develop after each stage of study. The Australian academic year is divided into four terms, with school holidays interspersed throughout the seasons, aligning with climate conditions, cultural festivals, and the family lifestyle of each region.

However, because each state and territory in Australia has its own education calendar, holiday dates can differ by several weeks. Therefore, updating and checking the school calendars of Australian states each year is essential for parents, students, and international students to proactively plan their studies, work, travel, or trips home in the most convenient and effective way.

The Australian education system is designed around a philosophy that balances learning, rest, and real-life experiences.

1. Overview of the academic year in Australia

The academic year in Australia usually begins in late January or early February and ends in mid or late December, depending on the state or territory. The Australian education system is divided into four main terms, each lasting around 10 weeks, with short breaks of 1–3 weeks in between. These breaks allow students time to rest and prepare for the next stage of learning.

At the same time, although the term “school holiday” mainly applies to primary and secondary students, university students in Australia also have similar important breaks. Universities typically operate on a two-semester system, with mid-semester breaks and a long summer break lasting nearly three months from November to February. This period is also when a large number of international students, including Vietnamese students, choose to return home or travel.

These breaks are often extended further by Public Holidays held throughout the year. Among them, Australia Day falls on 26 January, which coincides with the start of the new academic year, meaning the summer break is often extended by a few extra days. Good Friday and Easter Monday occur in late March or April, aligning with the end of Term 1 and creating a longer, continuous Easter holiday. ANZAC Day, on 25 April, commemorates those who served in the Australian and New Zealand armed forces. As it falls close to the early weeks of Term 2, the academic schedule during this period is often slightly shortened. Mid-year, the King’s Birthday is observed in June depending on the state, usually just before the winter break, creating an additional short rest period for students. Labour Day is celebrated in March, May, or October depending on the state, contributing to well-timed breaks during peak academic periods.

The common academic year structure is as follows:

Term 1: Late January – early April
Term 2: Mid April – late June
Term3: Mid July – late September
Term 4: Early October – mid or late December

After completing Term 4, students enter the summer break. This is the longest holiday of the year, lasting around 6–7 weeks and coinciding with Christmas and New Year. Other breaks (Autumn, Winter, Spring) are also scheduled in line with seasonal weather patterns, making it easier for families to plan travel, summer camps, or outdoor activities.

Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so summer usually falls in December or January.

2. What are school holidays like across Australian states?

School calendars in Australia are regulated separately by each state and territory, as each region has different climate conditions, festivals, and education systems. Although all states follow the same four-term academic structure, the start and end dates of each term, as well as holiday periods, vary noticeably between states.

You can refer to an overview of Australian state school holidays below:

State	Autumn Break	Winter Break	Spring Break	Summer Break
New South Wales (NSW)	14 - 24/4	7 - 18/7	29/9 - 10/10	22/12/2025 - 26/1/2026
Victoria	5 - 21/4	5 - 20/7	20/9 – 5/10	20/12/2025 - 27/1/2026
Queensland	5 - 21/4	28/6 –13/7	20/9 - 6/10	13/12/2025 - 26/1/2026

Private or international schools may have their own academic calendars, which are published on the official websites of each school.

Despite differences in details, the school holiday system across Australia is designed to ensure a balance between study and rest, while also enabling families, teachers, and students to plan travel, community activities, or professional development more effectively.

3. How to check official school holiday dates by state

To obtain the most accurate information on official Australian school holidays, parents and students should check the school calendar directly on the Department of Education website of the state they live in.

Method 1: Visit the state Department of Education website and look for sections such as “Term dates”, “School calendars”, or “Public school holidays”.

First, to look up school holidays in Australia, you can visit the official website of your state and navigate to sections like “School term dates”, “Calendars”, or “School holidays”. These pages publish detailed yearly schedules, including the start and end dates of each term, mid-term breaks, summer holidays, and special days such as student-free days or pupil-free days, when teachers attend internal training.

In New South Wales (NSW), all academic calendar information is published on the official website education.nsw.gov.au, clearly divided by term and region (Eastern Division, Western Division).
In Victoria (VIC), the website vic.gov.au provides updated school calendars and also offers iCal files that users can download and add directly to their personal calendars.
In Queensland (QLD), residents can visit qld.gov.au/education/schools to view official school holiday dates for both public and private schools.

Method 2: For private or international schools, academic calendars may differ slightly from the state schedule. Parents should check the school’s official website directly or contact the administration or registrar’s office to confirm exact holiday dates.

Method 3: The simplest way to check accurate school break dates by state is to search on Google using keywords like “school holidays + state name + academic year” or visit the official government website of that state.

Regularly updating school holiday information helps avoid confusion, especially when planning travel, organising summer camps, or preparing for academic activities in the new year.

See more: Australian student visa application – procedures and detailed tips

4.Travelling to Vietnam during Australian school breaks

For many families living, studying, or working in Australia, the school break is not only a time to rest after months of intensive study but also a golden opportunity to reconnect and recharge with family. Instead of staying in Australia during long holiday periods, more and more Vietnamese people are choosing to return to Vietnam to enjoy the warm climate, diverse cuisine, and the festive atmosphere that is unique to their homeland.

Vietnam is an ideal destination for Australian families during the school break, thanks to its cultural familiarity, pleasant climate, and wide range of enriching experiences.

With fares from VND 3,500,000 for the Deluxe class, book flights from Australia to Vietnam HERE.

4.1 Suitable travel destinations in Vietnam

When you have an extended holiday period, especially a summer break lasting 4–7 weeks, choosing the right destinations to explore Vietnam is extremely important. Below are some highly recommended destinations that frequently appear in reputable travel guides:

Hanoi & Ha Long Bay/Lan Ha Bay: When the weather is favorable (April–June or September–December), Hanoi captivates visitors with its Old Quarter, street food, and traditional cultural areas, while Ha Long Bay/Lan Ha Bay stands out with limestone landscapes and stunning cave cruise tours.
Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An: A combination of cultural and historical heritage with beautiful beaches, distinctive Central Vietnamese cuisine, and the charming glow of Hoi An Ancient Town at night.
Nha Trang: A famous coastal city offering a wide range of resort services and exciting ocean exploration activities.
Da Lat: A romantic highland city with a cool climate, ideal if you want to escape the heat of coastal regions.
Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta: Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant urban hub with many inner-city attractions, while the Mekong Delta is known for floating markets, canals, orchards, and the distinctive river-based lifestyle of southern Vietnam.
Phu Quoc and the southern islands: If you are looking for a complete beach getaway, this region offers clear waters, beautiful islands, and diverse tourism services.

See more: Beat the sun and wind while exploring Vietnam with Vietjet flights

4.2 Notes for traveling to Vietnam during official Australian school holidays

To ensure a smooth and fulfilling trip, you should keep the following important points in mind:

Plan early to avoid sold-out flights during peak season: Australian school holidays, especially the Summer Break (December–January), coincide with Vietnam’s peak travel season (Christmas, New Year, and Lunar New Year). During this time, round-trip airfares from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi often increase significantly. Book Vietjet flights from Australia to Vietnam HERE.
Prepare travel documents and travel insurance: Your passport must be valid for at least six months upon entry into Vietnam. If you hold Australian citizenship, you can apply for a Vietnam e-visa online via the official government website (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn).
Balance sightseeing and rest: For children, long flights (8–9 hours from Australia to Vietnam) and time zone differences can be tiring. Consider breaking up the itinerary and alternating travel with rest time at resorts or homestays to make the trip both relaxing and meaningful.

School holidays are a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to step away from a busy routine, explore Vietnam together, and enjoy precious moments of togetherness.

School breaks in Australia are not just intervals between academic terms, but also a bridge connecting learning, rest, and life experiences. Understanding the holiday schedules of each state helps families and international students plan their studies, work, and especially meaningful trips back to Vietnam more proactively.

If you are planning your school break and wish to return to Vietnam, book your round-trip flights with Vietjet today to secure the best fares and preferred seats. You can visit Vietjet’s official website or use flight deal apps to find suitable departure and return times. Don’t forget to keep an eye on Vietjet’s domestic and international 0 VND flight promotions available daily from 12:00 to 14:00. See details HERE.

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