When does the Australian school year start and end?
Australian government schools run four terms across the calendar year — Term 1 starts in late January or early February, and Term 4 finishes in mid-to-late December. Exact dates are set by each state and territory education department, so they differ across the country (this page lists them state by state).
Why are school term dates different in each state?
Education is run by each state and territory, not the Commonwealth, so every state's department sets its own term and holiday dates. That's why Term 1 might start on 27 January in one state and 2 February in another, and why the mid-year and spring breaks don't line up across borders. If you're travelling or coordinating across states, check both.
Do private and Catholic schools follow these dates?
The dates here are for government (public) schools. Most Catholic and independent schools follow very similar terms, but many set their own start and pupil-free days that differ by a day or two. If your child is at a non-government school, confirm with the school directly.
When are the school holidays between terms?
The school holidays are simply the gaps between the term dates listed here — a couple of weeks after Term 1 (autumn), a couple after Term 2 (winter), a couple after Term 3 (spring), and the long summer break after Term 4. Read across each state's terms to see its exact holiday windows.
Are school terms the same as public holidays?
No. School terms are the teaching periods; public holidays are separate days off that can fall inside a term (e.g. Anzac Day, the King's Birthday). Our Australian Public Holidays page lists those by state — handy to cross-reference so you know which school days are also public holidays.
