NSW School Holidays 2026
🇦🇺 Australia
Looking for NSW school holidays 2026? You'll find the complete 2026 school calendar for NSW, Australia right here — including all term dates, school holiday periods, public holidays, and important academic dates. Our data is sourced from NSW Department of Education / NSW Government and covers 4 terms and 4 school breaks in school year 2026/27. Whether you're planning family travel during the school holidays, booking vacation care, or need to know when the 2026 school year starts and ends, this comprehensive NSW school holiday calendar has everything you need.
Dates verified against official source for the current school year. Last verified: Sep 6, 2026.
Summer School Holidays
Dec 18 – Jan 27, 2027
NSW Term Dates 2026/27
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 60 | Eastern Division. Western Division starts one week later, on 9 February 2026. | ||
| Term 2 | 73 | — | ||
| Term 3 | 67 | — | ||
| Term 4 | 66 | Both Eastern and Western Division end Term 4 on 17 December 2026. |
NSW School Holidays in school year 2026/27
| Break | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn School Holidays | Apr 7 – Apr 17, 2026 | 11 |
| Winter School Holidays | Jul 6 – Jul 17, 2026 | 12 |
| Spring School Holidays | Sep 28 – Oct 9, 2026 | 12 |
| Summer School Holidays | Dec 18 – Jan 27, 2027 | 41 |
NSW Public Holidays 2026
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 | — | ||
| Australia Day | 1 | — | ||
| Good Friday | 1 | — | ||
| Easter Saturday | 1 | — | ||
| Easter Sunday | 1 | — | ||
| Easter Monday | 1 | — | ||
| ANZAC Day | 1 | — | ||
| King's Birthday | 1 | — | ||
| Bank Holiday | 1 | — | ||
| Labour Day | 1 | — | ||
| Christmas Day | 1 | — | ||
| Boxing Day | 1 | — |
NSW School 2026 Calendar — Month by Month
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
Add NSW School Holidays to your calendar
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Data last verified Sep 6, 2026. Dates come from the official source listed above — always confirm with your school or education authority before making important plans.
Detailed 2026 NSW School Year Information
Term 1
Mon, Feb 2, 2026 – Thu, Apr 2, 2026
Eastern Division. Western Division starts one week later, on 9 February 2026.
Term 2
Wed, Apr 22, 2026 – Fri, Jul 3, 2026
Term 3
Tue, Jul 21, 2026 – Fri, Sep 25, 2026
Term 4
Tue, Oct 13, 2026 – Thu, Dec 17, 2026
Both Eastern and Western Division end Term 4 on 17 December 2026.
NSW School Holidays 2026/27 — Key Dates
These NSW school holiday dates for 2026 are sourced directly from NSW Department of Education / NSW Government. NSW has two divisions: Eastern Division (Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle) and Western Division (Broken Hill and far west). Dates below are for Eastern Division. Western Division starts Term 1 one week later (9 February 2026 vs 2 February for Eastern) and the 2025-26 summer holidays end one week later (2 February 2026 vs 26 January for Eastern). All other term and holiday dates are identical for both divisions.
Planning Tips for 2026 NSW School Holidays
🗺️ Western division starts a week later
NSW splits into Eastern (Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle) and Western (Broken Hill, far west) divisions: Term 1 starts ~1 week later in the west and its summer break ends later too. All other terms are statewide.
🏫 Staff development days bookend terms
Pupil-free SDDs sit at the start of Term 1 and elsewhere through the year — published alongside the official NSW term dates.
🧒 Vacation care fills fast
The two-week term breaks drive demand for vacation care and holiday camps across Sydney and regional centres; bookings open weeks before each break.
✈️ Peak pricing tracks the eastern seaboard
NSW, Victoria and Queensland holidays rarely align, but the summer break overlaps everything — December-January flights and the South Coast and North Coast book out first.
Data & source details Who this calendar applies to, where it came from, and when we will check it again
- Applies to
- Government (public) schools in New South Wales, Eastern Division — Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and surrounding areas.
- Does not apply to
- Western Division public schools (Term 1 starts one week later); Catholic and independent schools, which set their own term dates; early childhood centres.
- Governance level
- State
- Date status
- Binding on schools
- Source document
- Future and past NSW term and vacation dates
- Published by the authority
- NSW Department of Education / NSW Government
- Last checked by us
- Sep 6, 2026
- Next scheduled review
- Feb 1, 2027
- Known exceptions
- Western Division starts Term 1 one week later than Eastern Division. · School development days (pupil-free) are set by each school and are not included. · Catholic and independent schools may publish different term dates.
- Data version
- v3
Source & Data Accuracy
Data source: NSW Department of Education / NSW Government
Source last checked: September 6, 2026
Dates verified against official source for the current school year. Last verified: Sep 6, 2026.
Note: NSW has two divisions: Eastern Division (Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle) and Western Division (Broken Hill and far west). Dates below are for Eastern Division. Western Division starts Term 1 one week later (9 February 2026 vs 2 February for Eastern) and the 2025-26 summer holidays end one week later (2 February 2026 vs 26 January for Eastern). All other term and holiday dates are identical for both divisions.
Report a date error or source changeNSW School Holidays 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the NSW school holidays for 2026?
NSW school holidays in 2026 include Autumn Holidays (Tuesday 7 April – Friday 17 April), Winter Holidays (Monday 6 July – Friday 17 July), Spring Holidays (Monday 28 September – Friday 9 October), and Summer Holidays (Friday 18 December 2026 – Wednesday 27 January 2027). Term dates run from Monday 2 February (Eastern Division) to Thursday 17 December 2026.
Do all NSW schools have the same holiday dates?
No. NSW has two divisions: Eastern Division (including Sydney, Wollongong, and Newcastle) and Western Division (including Broken Hill and far west). The autumn, winter, and spring holidays are the same for both divisions, but Western Division starts Term 1 one week later (Monday 9 February 2026 vs Monday 2 February for Eastern) and the 2025-26 summer holidays end one week later (Monday 2 February 2026 vs Monday 26 January for Eastern). Always check with your specific school.
When does Term 1 start in NSW in 2026?
Term 1 for NSW Eastern Division starts on Monday, 2 February 2026. For Western Division, Term 1 starts on Monday, 9 February 2026 (one week later). Both divisions end Term 1 on Thursday, 2 April 2026.
How long is the summer school holiday in NSW?
The NSW summer school holiday (Eastern Division) runs from Friday, 18 December 2026 to Wednesday, 27 January 2027 — about five and a half weeks. This is the longest school holiday period of the year. Western Division summer end date differs; check the NSW Government calendar for Western Division dates.
How many school holidays are there in 2026?
Most school systems have 4-6 major holiday periods throughout the year, typically including a long summer break, a winter/Christmas break, and shorter mid-term breaks in spring and autumn. The exact number depends on your country and region.
What is the longest school holiday?
The summer holiday is typically the longest school break worldwide. In Australia, it lasts about 5-6 weeks (December-January). In the UK, the summer break is approximately 6 weeks (July-August). In the US, summer break is the longest at 10-12 weeks (June-August). In Singapore, the year-end holidays last about 6 weeks.
Are school holidays the same across all states or regions?
No. School holiday dates vary by state, region, and sometimes even by individual school district or local council. While neighbouring areas often have similar schedules, you should always check the specific dates for your local area.
Can I take my child out of school during term time?
Rules vary by country. In the UK, taking children out of school during term time without authorization can result in fines. In Australia, it is generally discouraged but policies vary by state. In the US, policies are set by individual school districts. Always check with your school before planning term-time absences.
Do private schools have different holiday dates?
Yes, private and independent schools often set their own term dates, which may differ from government/public schools. However, most private schools follow similar schedules to nearby public schools, with minor variations. Check directly with your school for exact dates.
Looking for School Holidays in Other Countries?
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