Australian Capital Territory School Term and Holidays dates for 2026

This is your go-to guide for 2026 school term dates and public holidays in ACT. Get your calendars ready and start planning your 2026 family holidays!

17 hours ago   •   2 min read

By Manoj Arachige
Photo by Aaron Burden / Unsplash

Whether you're a parent planning family getaways, a student keeping track of your schedule, or just someone who loves a good long weekend, we got you. We've sorted all the important dates into easy-to-read tables, so you can quickly find what you need and make the most of your year.

When Is the Right Time to Get a Tutor for Your Child?
Wondering when to get a tutor for your child? Learn the key signs it’s time for extra help and how tutoring can boost confidence, improve results, and reduce stress—for both students and parents.

📝 School Term Dates

Term Date in 2026
Term 1 Friday 30 January (for new students) or Monday 2 February (for continuing students) to Thursday 2 April.
Term 2 Tuesday 21 April to Friday 3 July
Term 3 Tuesday 21 July to Friday 25 September
Term 4 Tuesday 13 October to Friday 18 December

🌊 School Holidays

School Term Dates
Term 1 School Holidays Friday 3 April to Monday 20 April
Term 2 School Holidays Saturday 4 July to Monday 20 July
Term 3 School Holidays Saturday 26 September to Monday 12 October
Term 4 School Holidays Saturday 19 December to 31 January 2027

🏝 ACT Public Holidays

Holiday Date in 2026
New Year's Day Thursday 1 January
Australia Day Monday 26 January
Canberra Day Monday 9 March
Good Friday Friday 3 April
Saturday before Easter Sunday Saturday 4 April
Easter Sunday Sunday 5 April
Easter Monday Monday 6 April
ANZAC Day Saturday 25 April
Reconciliation Day Monday 1 June
King’s Birthday Monday 8 June
Labour Day Monday 5 October
Christmas Day Friday 25 December
Boxing Day Saturday 26 December
Monday 28 December

🕰 Daylight Saving

Date Description
Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 2 am AEST Turn clock forward by an hour
Sunday, April 5, 2027, at 3 am AEDT. Turn clock backward by an hour

What are you waiting for? Go mark your calendars and plan for a fabulous 2026!

Is your child falling behind at school? Personalised study guidance can make the biggest difference. Trusted by students and parents, KIS Academics helps students reach their goals with the best private tutors and online courses for Years 5-12.


Want personalised study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor can make the biggest difference!

Spread the word