25 June 2026
School Holidays 2027: Dates by State & When School Goes Back
School holiday dates for 2027 in every Australian state — when schools go back, the term breaks, and how to plan leave around the calendar.
Planning 2027 already? School holiday dates vary by state and shift each year, so here are the 2027 dates for every Australian state, when schools go back, and how to line up your leave. These are the scheduled terms — confirm the final dates closer to the time on the School Term Dates pages.
When do schools go back in 2027?
The 2027 school year starts in late January to early February 2027: most states return on 27–28 January, while WA, Tasmania and the ACT start in the first week of February. After each break, schools return the following week; the long summer break begins in December 2027.
2027 school holiday dates by state
| State | Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 10–26 Apr | 3–18 Jul | 25 Sep–10 Oct | 21 Dec |
| VIC | 26 Mar–11 Apr | 26 Jun–11 Jul | 18 Sep–3 Oct | 18 Dec |
| QLD | 26 Mar–11 Apr | 26 Jun–11 Jul | 18 Sep–4 Oct | 11 Dec |
| SA | 10–25 Apr | 3–18 Jul | 25 Sep–10 Oct | 11 Dec |
| WA | 10–25 Apr | 3–18 Jul | 25 Sep–10 Oct | 17 Dec |
| TAS | 10–25 Apr | 3–18 Jul | 25 Sep–10 Oct | 17 Dec |
| NT | 3–12 Apr | 19 Jun–12 Jul | 18 Sep–4 Oct | 10 Dec |
| ACT | 10–27 Apr | 3–19 Jul | 25 Sep–11 Oct | 18 Dec |
These are the scheduled government school holiday periods; non-government schools can vary by a few days. For the live, confirmed dates and exact return days, see School Term Dates.
Easter and the autumn break in 2027
Easter 2027 is early — Good Friday is 26 March and Easter Monday 29 March. In Victoria and Queensland the autumn break starts right after Easter (26 March), while NSW, SA, WA and Tasmania run their break from around 10 April. That makes the early-April window a popular — and busy — family travel period.
Which break is longest, and who breaks up first?
The summer break is by far the longest. The Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia finish first (around 10–11 December 2027), while NSW runs latest, to 20 December. If you're travelling interstate, the early-finishing states book accommodation first.
Aligning leave with the 2027 school holidays
- Split the two-week breaks. One parent takes week one, the other week two — a week of leave each covers the fortnight.
- Use the autumn break's Easter overlap. The public holidays do some of the work, so your leave stretches further.
- Book vacation care early. Popular holiday programs fill within days of opening.
Model the options with the Leave Planner.
Frequently asked questions
When do schools go back in 2027?
The 2027 school year starts in late January to early February — most states on 27–28 January 2027, with WA, Tasmania and the ACT starting in the first week of February. Confirm your state's exact date on the School Term Dates pages.
What are the school holiday dates for NSW in 2027?
NSW government schools have scheduled breaks on 10–26 April, 3–18 July and 25 September–10 October 2027, with the summer break from 21 December. See the table above for every state.
When are the Easter school holidays in 2027?
The autumn break overlaps Easter (Good Friday 26 March to Easter Monday 29 March 2027). In VIC and QLD it begins 26 March; in NSW, SA, WA and Tasmania it runs from around 10 April.
Which state has the earliest summer holidays in 2027?
The Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia break up first, around 10–11 December 2027. NSW runs latest, to 20 December.