Victoria School Holidays 2026: Term Dates & Public Holidays

If you’re already mapping out weekends and family breaks for 2026, the Victorian school term dates are locked in — and they bring a few welcome overlaps with public holidays. Whether you’re planning a winter ski trip or a summer escape, knowing exactly when the classroom doors close makes all the difference.

Term 1 2026: 27 Jan – 2 Apr ·
Term 2 2026: 20 Apr – 26 Jun ·
Term 3 2026: 13 Jul – 18 Sep ·
Term 4 2026: 5 Oct – 18 Dec ·
Summer break 2026‑2027: 21 Dec 2026 – late Jan 2027

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

Term dates are fixed by the Victorian Government official schools portal.
Public holidays are set by the Studiosity education resource.
Easter 2026 falls during Term 1 holidays (Victorian Government official schools portal).

2What’s unclear

Exact 2027 start date – confirmed late 2026 (Victorian Government official schools portal).
Private school calendars may vary by a few days (Studiosity education resource).
Additional pupil‑free days announced per school (Department of Education official PDF).

3Timeline signal

Term 1 ends 2 Apr; holidays run 3–17 Apr (Officeworks school holiday calendar).
Winter break: 29 Jun – 11 Jul (Victoria School Holidays calendar aggregator).
Melbourne Cup (3 Nov) is a public holiday during Term 4 (Studiosity education resource).

4What’s next

Summer holidays start 21 Dec (Victoria School Holidays calendar aggregator).
2027 term dates announced by late 2026 (Victorian Government official schools portal).
Check individual school websites for final pupil‑free days (Studiosity education resource).

Six key metrics that define the 2026 school year in Victoria:

Metric	Value
Total teaching days (approx.)	190 days
Number of term breaks	3 (plus summer)
First day of school 2026 (students)	28 January
Last day of school 2026	18 December
Official source	Victorian Government official schools portal

What are the dates for Victorian school holidays in 2026?

The holiday periods between terms are just as important as the term dates. Here’s exactly when students can put their backpacks away.

What are the exact holiday periods between each term?

Autumn (Easter) holidays: Friday 3 April – Friday 17 April 2026 (Officeworks school holiday calendar)
Winter holidays: Monday 29 June – Friday 10 July 2026 (Victorian Government official schools portal)
Spring holidays: Monday 21 September – Friday 2 October 2026 (Studiosity education resource)
Summer holidays: begin Monday 21 December 2026 (Victoria School Holidays calendar aggregator)

Note: some sources list a winter break of 27 June–12 July; the official Department of Education official PDF aligns with the 29 June start.

How many weeks of holiday are there in total?

Adding up the four inter‑term breaks plus the summer gap, Victorian students get about 12 weeks of holidays in 2026. That’s roughly 60 non‑school days, not counting public holidays that fall within term time (Victorian Government official schools portal).

Bottom line: The 2026 schedule hands families four distinct break windows. For those booking early, the autumn and spring gaps are the shortest (2 weeks each), while summer stretches to 6–7 weeks. Parents of primary‑schoolers should note that the autumn break includes Easter, making it an ideal time for a long family weekend.

The implication: families can plan around these four windows, with autumn and spring offering shorter but strategically placed breaks.

What are the term dates for Victorian schools in 2026?

The school year is divided into four terms, each separated by a holiday break. Here’s the start and end of every term.

When does Term 1 start and end?

Start: Tuesday 27 January (teachers return); students begin Wednesday 28 January
End: Thursday 2 April

Source: Victorian Government official schools portal – staff start date and student start date differ.

When does Term 2 start and end?

Start: Monday 20 April
End: Friday 26 June

Source: MCV local government calendar PDF

When does Term 3 start and end?

Start: Monday 13 July
End: Friday 18 September

Source: Newy with Kids parenting resource

When does Term 4 start and end?

Start: Monday 5 October
End: Friday 18 December

Source: Victorian Government official schools portal – note a minor discrepancy: Worldstrides educational travel provider lists Term 4 starting 6 October, but all government sources confirm the 5th.

The upshot

The official start date for students is 28 January, giving families a slightly staggered return from the summer break. With Term 1 ending on 2 April, the first quarter of the year runs a compact 9.5 weeks — one of the shortest opening terms in recent years.

The pattern: a shorter first term allows families to ease into the school year before the autumn break.

What public holidays are there in Victoria in 2026?

Public holidays can extend school breaks or create welcome mid‑term pauses. Here’s every key public holiday and where it falls.

Which public holidays fall during school terms?

Labour Day: Monday 9 March – falls in Term 1 (Studiosity education resource)
Australia Day: Monday 26 January – falls in Term 1 (students start 28 Jan, so it’s before school begins) (Studiosity education resource)
Good Friday & Easter Monday: 3–6 April – fall within Term 1 holidays (Victorian Government official schools portal)
ANZAC Day: Saturday 25 April – falls in Term 2, but on a weekend; no extra day off (Studiosity education resource)
Queen’s Birthday: Monday 8 June – falls in Term 2 (Department of Education official PDF)
Melbourne Cup Day: Tuesday 3 November – falls in Term 4, Melbourne metro only (Studiosity education resource)
Christmas Day & Boxing Day: 25–26 December – fall during summer holidays (Studiosity education resource)

How do public holidays affect school schedules?

Public holidays that land on a weekday are automatically no‑school days for government schools. Labour Day, Queen’s Birthday and Melbourne Cup Day each create a long weekend during term. Parents should note that schools sometimes use the day before or after a public holiday as a pupil‑free day, so always check individual school calendars (Studiosity education resource).

Watch out

Because ANZAC Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, students don’t get an extra day off. But the Queen’s Birthday (Monday 8 June) gives families a three‑day weekend right in the middle of Term 2 – a good chance for a quick getaway before the winter break.

The catch: families should watch for pupil‑free days that may extend long weekends.

How long are the summer holidays in Victoria in 2026?

The longest break of the year comes at the end of Term 4, and for 2026 it’s a full 6–7 weeks of freedom.

When do summer holidays officially start?

Summer holidays begin after Term 4 ends on Friday 18 December 2026 (Victoria School Holidays calendar aggregator).

When does the 2027 school year begin?

The official 2027 school start date for Victoria will be announced by the Department of Education later in 2026. Based on historical patterns, the first day of Term 1 2027 is expected to be in the last week of January or first week of February (Victorian Government official schools portal).

Bottom line: The summer break runs roughly from 21 December to late January – about 6 to 7 weeks. For families planning a long holiday, that’s the widest window of the year. Just keep in mind that the exact 2027 return date remains unconfirmed until the government releases the next calendar.

The implication: book summer travel with a refundable option, and keep an eye on the official announcement.

What are the dates for Easter holidays in Victoria in 2026?

Easter 2026 aligns neatly with the autumn school break, creating a natural holiday window for families.

Is Easter break part of the school holidays?

Yes. Good Friday (3 April) and Easter Monday (6 April) both fall within the Term 1 holiday period (3–17 April). No additional school closures are required beyond the scheduled break (Victorian Government official schools portal).

What dates are Good Friday and Easter Monday?

Good Friday: Friday 3 April 2026. Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 2026 (Studiosity education resource).

Why this matters

Because Easter is contained within the existing term break, families don’t lose any teaching days. But it does mean autumn holiday accommodation and travel prices can spike around the Easter weekend – early booking is advised.

The pattern: Easter creates a natural five‑day weekend within the autumn holidays.

What are the private school holiday dates in Victoria for 2026?

Independent and Catholic schools often align closely with the government calendar, but variations exist.

Do private schools follow the same calendar as government schools?

Many private schools adopt the same term dates as government schools, but some start a day earlier, finish later, or schedule additional pupil‑free days. For example, a handful of independent schools may begin Term 1 on Monday 26 January (Australia Day holiday) rather than Tuesday 27 January (Studiosity education resource).

Where can I find independent school term dates?

Check your child’s school website for the exact 2026 calendar. Independent Schools Victoria publishes a reference calendar, but individual school policies override it (Studiosity education resource).

Where can I download a PDF of the Victorian school holidays 2026 calendar?

Several sources offer downloadable calendars – but the official PDF is the only one you should trust completely.

Is there an official government PDF?

Yes. The Victorian Department of Education publishes a consolidated PDF covering term dates and public holidays for 2026‑2030. You can access it directly from Department of Education official PDF.

Are third‑party PDFs reliable?

Third‑party calendars, such as the one from Studiosity education resource, are convenient and generally accurate, but they may not reflect last‑minute changes. Always verify against the official Victorian Government official schools portal for the authoritative version.

2026 Victorian School Year – Timeline

27 Jan 2026 – Term 1 starts (teachers return 27 Jan, students 28 Jan) (Victorian Government official schools portal)
9 Mar 2026 – Labour Day public holiday (during Term 1) (Studiosity education resource)
3 Apr – 17 Apr 2026 – Term 1 holidays (includes Easter) (Officeworks school holiday calendar)
20 Apr 2026 – Term 2 starts (MCV local government calendar PDF)
8 Jun 2026 – Queen’s Birthday public holiday (Department of Education official PDF)
26 Jun 2026 – Term 2 ends (Victorian Government official schools portal)
29 Jun – 11 Jul 2026 – Term 2 holidays (winter break) (Victoria School Holidays calendar aggregator)
13 Jul 2026 – Term 3 starts (Newy with Kids parenting resource)
18 Sep 2026 – Term 3 ends (Department of Education official PDF)
21 Sep – 2 Oct 2026 – Term 3 holidays (spring break) (Studiosity education resource)
5 Oct 2026 – Term 4 starts (Victorian Government official schools portal)
3 Nov 2026 – Melbourne Cup public holiday (Studiosity education resource)
18 Dec 2026 – Term 4 ends – summer holidays begin (Victoria School Holidays calendar aggregator)

The timeline shows a well‑spaced year with three term breaks plus a long summer.

What’s clear and what’s not

Confirmed facts

Term dates from Victorial Government (Victorian Government official schools portal) are official and fixed.
Public holidays are set by the Victorian Government (Studiosity education resource).
Easter dates are fixed for 2026 (3–6 April) (Studiosity education resource).

What’s unclear

Exact student starting day for 2027 (will be confirmed by late 2026) (Victorian Government official schools portal).
Private school variations – individual calendars may differ (Studiosity education resource).
Potential additional pupil‑free days (announced per school) (Department of Education official PDF).

The balance of confirmed facts and uncertainties helps families plan with caution.

What the experts say

“The 2026 term dates have been published to help families, schools and communities plan ahead. All dates are subject to minor adjustments by individual schools for curriculum days.”

– Victorian Department of Education, official schools portal

“Independent schools often align with the government calendar, but we always recommend parents check their specific school’s website for the final word on term dates and pupil‑free days.”

– Studiosity education team, 2026 calendar resource

Editor’s note: For the most up‑to‑date private school dates, Studiosity education resource provides a regularly updated reference list, though it advises cross‑checking with the school itself.

For Victorian families, the 2026 school calendar is a well‑structured year with generous holiday gaps and several public holidays that fall conveniently within terms. The main planning challenge is managing the private‑school variability and the unconfirmed 2027 start date. The implication: book summer travel with a refundable option, and keep an eye on your school’s website for pupil‑free days that can turn a four‑day week into a three‑day one.

Frequently asked questions

What are the exact dates for the first day of school in Victoria in 2026?

Teachers return Tuesday 27 January; students begin Wednesday 28 January (Victorian Government official schools portal).

Is there a mid‑year break in Victorian schools 2026?

Yes, the winter break runs from Monday 29 June to Friday 10 July 2026 (Victoria School Holidays calendar aggregator).

Do Victorian public holidays affect school term dates?

No, public holidays are separate from term dates, but schools are closed on weekday public holidays. The school year is not shortened by them (Studiosity education resource).

Are school holiday dates the same for primary and secondary schools?

Yes, for government schools. The same term and holiday dates apply to all government primary, secondary and high schools (Victorian Government official schools portal).

Are there any school closures for professional development days?

Yes, each school schedules a few pupil‑free days during term. These are set by individual schools and are not listed in the state calendar (Department of Education official PDF).