As families across New South Wales look ahead to 2026, knowing the official school term dates, holiday periods, and public holidays makes planning far easier. Whether you’re organising family travel, arranging childcare, or simply trying to maintain healthy routines throughout the year, having these key dates mapped out early can reduce stress and support student wellbeing.
Below, you’ll find a clear breakdown of the confirmed NSW public school terms and holidays for 2026, including the differences between Eastern and Western Divisions.
2026 School Term Dates (NSW Government Schools)
| Term | Eastern Division (Most of NSW) | Western Division (Far West NSW) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Mon 2 Feb – Thu 2 Apr 2026* | Mon 9 Feb – Thu 2 Apr 2026* | 9-10 weeks |
| Term 2 | Wed 22 Apr – Fri 3 Jul 2026 | Wed 22 Apr – Fri 3 Jul 2026 | 10 weeks |
| Term 3 | Tue 21 Jul – Fri 25 Sep 2026 | Tue 21 Jul – Fri 25 Sep 2026 | 10 weeks |
| Term 4 | Tue 13 Oct – Thu 17 Dec 2026 | Tue 13 Oct – Thu 17 Dec 2026 | 10 weeks |
Important Note: The dates above represent the first day for students. Teachers typically return earlier (Tue 27 Jan) for School Development Days. Always check your specific school's newsletter for confirmed start dates.
2026 NSW School Holiday Breaks
| Holiday Period | Dates (Both Divisions) |
|---|---|
| Autumn Holidays | Tue 7 Apr – Fri 17 Apr 2026 |
| Winter Holidays | Mon 6 Jul – Fri 17 Jul 2026 |
| Spring Holidays | Mon 28 Sep – Fri 9 Oct 2026 |
| Summer Holidays (End of Year) | Eastern: Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Wed 27 Jan 2027 Western: Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Wed 3 Feb 2027 |
Note: Most NSW public schools also have pupil-free days (staff professional development) just before terms start — always check with your school for exact dates.
2026 NSW Public Holidays
Here’s the full list of statewide public holidays in New South Wales for 2026:
| Public Holiday | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday 1 January |
| Australia Day | Monday 26 January |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April |
| Easter Saturday | Saturday 4 April |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday 5 April |
| Easter Monday | Monday 6 April |
| ANZAC Day | Saturday 25 April |
| King’s Birthday | Monday 8 June |
| Labour Day | Monday 5 October |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December |
| Boxing Day | Saturday 26 December |
| Boxing Day (Additional Holiday) | Monday 28 December |
Note on Boxing Day: Since Boxing Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, NSW observes a public holiday on Monday, 28 Dec.
Sample Private School Dates (2026)
Independent and Catholic schools often operate on different calendars to the government sector. Below are confirmed examples from published 2026 calendars to give you a guide. Note: Private schools often finish the academic year earlier in December.
| Term | Knox Grammar (Confirmed) | Ravenswood (Confirmed) | Catholic Schools (Typical*) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Wed 28 Jan – Thu 2 Apr | Wed 28 Jan – Thu 2 Apr | Tue 27 Jan – Thu 2 Apr |
| Term 2 | Tue 21 Apr – Fri 26 Jun | Tue 21 Apr – Fri 26 Jun | Mon 20 Apr – Fri 3 Jul |
| Term 3 | Tue 21 Jul – Fri 25 Sep | Tue 21 Jul – Fri 25 Sep | Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sep |
| Term 4 | Tue 13 Oct – Thu 3 Dec* | Tue 13 Oct – Thu 3 Dec* | Mon 12 Oct – Thu 17 Dec |
*Disclaimer: Catholic Dioceses vary (e.g., Parramatta vs Sydney). Always verify with your specific school.
School Planning Tips for Families
- Use the "Late Start" in Term 1: For families in the Eastern Division, students don't return until Monday, 2 February. This effectively gives you an extra week of January for holidays compared to some other states.
- Watch the ANZAC Day Weekend In 2026, ANZAC Day falls on a Saturday. Unlike some other holidays, NSW does not observe a substitute Monday holiday for ANZAC Day. Plan your long weekends around the King’s Birthday (June 8) or Labour Day (Oct 5) instead.
- The "Winter" Break is Ideal for Catch-Up The July holidays (Winter) are often wet and cold. This is the perfect window to engage a tutor to solidify concepts from Semester 1 before the final exams of the year approach.
Don't Let 2026 Slip By
The jump between year levels can be significant. Whether your child is starting High School or entering their HSC year, the right support structure is vital. Learnmate connects NSW families with experienced tutors who understand the NSW curriculum. From NAPLAN prep to HSC mastery, find the right mentor to guide your child’s journey.
FAQs
Eastern Division students (Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong) return on Monday, 2 February 2026. Western Division students return one week later on Monday, 9 February 2026.
No. Since ANZAC Day (April 25) falls on a Saturday in 2026, there is no replacement public holiday on the Monday in NSW.
The Western Division covers the far west of NSW (e.g., Broken Hill, Dubbo). Schools here start later in Term 1 to avoid the most extreme heat of the summer, ensuring students return when conditions are more conducive to learning.
