Queensland School Holidays 2026: Dates, Terms & Calendar

If you’re a Queensland parent or traveller, you already know the drill: school holiday dates shape everything from booking flights to planning that family road trip. For 2026, the Queensland Department of Education has locked in terms from 27 January to 11 December, with 195 school days spread across four terms.

First day of school: 27 January 2026 ·
Last day of school (Term 4): 11 December 2026 ·
Total school days: 195 ·
Number of terms: 4 ·
Autumn holiday break: 3–19 April 2026 ·
Winter holiday break: 27 June – 12 July 2026

Eight key dates define the 2026 Queensland school year, from the first bell to the final day.

What are the QLD school holiday dates in 2026?

When does Term 1 start and end?

Term 1 for Queensland state schools begins on Tuesday 27 January 2026 and ends on Thursday 2 April 2026, according to the Queensland Department of Education (official calendar). That’s a 10‑week term (46 school days)

What are the exact dates for each term and holiday break?

The table below lists the exact dates for each term and holiday period.

All state school term and holiday dates are set centrally by Education Queensland and published in the official 2026 school calendar (PDF). Note that autumn holidays coincide with Easter – Good Friday is 3 April, Easter Monday 6 April – giving families a natural long break.

The pattern is clear: the 2026 year is tightly structured, with each break offering distinct opportunities for family time.

What are the school terms in Queensland?

How many terms are there?

Queensland state schools operate on a four‑term year. Each term runs approximately 10 weeks, totalling 195 school days – a figure confirmed by the Queensland Department of Education (official school calendar).

What is the structure of the school year?

The year is split into two semesters: Semester 1 (Terms 1 and 2) and Semester 2 (Terms 3 and 4). Semester 1 begins on 27 January; Semester 2 begins on 13 July. This two‑semester framework is used by all Queensland state schools, and, according to Studiosity (education resource), most independent and Catholic schools follow the same structure.

What this means: the semester system gives parents a clear mid-year marker for reviewing progress and planning holidays.

Do all QLD schools have the same holiday dates?

Are private school holidays different?

Independent and Catholic schools in Queensland generally align with the state term dates, but they may adjust pupil‑free days. For example, Catholic Education Cairns (regional Catholic authority) publishes its own dates: Term 1 starts Wednesday 28 January (one day later than state schools) and Term 4 ends Friday 4 December (a week earlier).

Do Catholic schools follow the same calendar?

Yes – broadly. The Catholic Education Cairns calendar shows the same four‑term structure with the same holiday blocks. However, the number of pupil‑free days can differ. Catholic Education Cairns (term dates page) lists specific student‑free days that are not part of the state calendar. Parents should always check their own school’s website for the final word.

The implication: while the skeleton is the same, the flesh (pupil‑free days, start/end dates) may vary by a day or two. Don’t assume your child’s school uses the public calendar exactly.

What are the school holidays in 2026 in Australia?

How do QLD holidays compare with NSW?

Each Australian state sets its own term and holiday dates. For 2026, detailed comparisons are available from Newy with Kids (family travel resource), which notes that New South Wales starts Term 1 on 28 January 2026 and finishes Term 4 on 18 December 2026 – a week later than Queensland.

What about Victoria?

Victoria’s 2026 calendar, per Studiosity (education date aggregator), shows Term 1 from 29 January to 27 March, and Term 4 through to 21 December. Queensland finishes earlier (11 December), giving families a head start on summer holidays. For a complete list of Australian public holidays, see our guide to Public Holidays Australia 2025.

The catch: interstate family trips need careful timing. A QLD child on break from 27 June may be free while a NSW child still has school for another week.

Why this matters: if you’re planning a cross‑state family reunion, the gap between QLD and southern states is nearly a week in December – a week of fewer crowds but also fewer kids free from school.

What’s the best time to visit Australia with kids?

How do school holidays affect travel?

School holidays are peak travel periods. Accommodation, flights, and attractions charge premium prices. According to Studiosity (travel planning advice), Queensland’s winter break (27 June–12 July) is the most expensive domestic travel window – families head north for warmth or south for snow.

What are the peak travel periods in QLD?

The three major holiday windows – autumn (3–19 Apr), winter (27 Jun–12 Jul), spring (19 Sep–5 Oct) – see the highest demand. The summer holidays starting 12 December are long (about 6 weeks) but often quieter in late January after New Year. As Newy with Kids (family travel site) points out, shoulder seasons (the week before a holiday break or the week after) offer cheaper rates and milder weather. For family-friendly activities in Victoria, check out our Fun Things to Do in Melbourne: Top 2026 Family Guide.

The catch: booking early is essential for winter break; shoulder weeks offer a quieter alternative.

Timeline of Queensland school holidays 2026

• 27 Jan – 2 Apr 2026: Term 1 (Queensland Department of Education)
• 3–19 Apr 2026: Autumn holidays (includes Easter) (Queensland Department of Education)
• 20 Apr – 26 Jun 2026: Term 2 (Queensland Department of Education)
• 27 Jun – 12 Jul 2026: Winter holidays (Queensland Department of Education)
• 13 Jul – 18 Sep 2026: Term 3 (Queensland Department of Education)
• 19 Sep – 5 Oct 2026: Spring holidays (King’s Birthday on 5 Oct) (Queensland Department of Education)
• 6 Oct – 11 Dec 2026: Term 4 (Queensland Department of Education)
• 12 Dec 2026 onward: Summer holidays (Queensland Department of Education)

All dates derive from the Queensland Department of Education (official calendar) and Catholic Education Cairns (regional Catholic calendar).

“Term 1 starts Tuesday 27 January and ends Thursday 2 April.”

— Education Queensland, official 2026 school calendar

“Our resource lists all term dates and public holidays for QLD 2026, including a printable calendar.”

— Studiosity, education resource

“The Queensland school holiday periods for 2026 are: Autumn – 3rd to 19th April; Winter – 27th June to 12th July; Spring – 19th September to 5th October.”

— Holidays With Kids, Newy with Kids (family travel site)

For Queensland families, the 2026 calendar brings a clear set of dates – and a clear set of trade‑offs. The winter break (27 June–12 July) is the busiest travel window, often doubling accommodation costs. The autumn break, punctuated by Easter, offers a slightly quieter window. The spring break, ending with the King’s Birthday public holiday on 5 October, is ideal for a final warm‑weather escape before summer crowds. For parents juggling work and holidays, the message is simple: bookmark the state calendar, confirm your school’s pupil‑free days, and book early – or plan for the shoulder weeks when prices ease and the weather still holds.

Families planning cross-border trips may also want to check Victoria school holidays 2026 to align their schedules with the southern state’s term breaks.

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