πŸ—“οΈ 2026 ACT School Term Dates & Holidays – Plan Your Year Now

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!

3 months ago   •   3 min read

By Manoj Arachige
Photo by Aaron Burden / Unsplash

We believe that planning ahead is the key to a successful year! That is why we want to make it as easy for you as possible to stay on top of ACT school holidays and term dates for 2026.

Table Of Contents:


In Canberra, Australia, the school term dates and holidays for 2026 are as follows:

ACT 2026 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

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Don't let school breaks become learning breaks. Recharge and take advantage of freed up time to consolidate your learning with a ACT Specialist Tutor! πŸ‘‡

ACT 2026 School Holiday Dates

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 2026 Public Holiday Dates

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 Savings Time 2026

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

Conclusion

With these ACT school dates locked in your calendar, you're already ahead of most parents. But having the dates is just the first step – what matters most is how you use this time strategically.

Now grab your calendar, mark those dates, and get ready for a fantastic 2026!

πŸ‘‡ Resources you may find useful while you're here:

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 stressβ€”for both students and parents.

What Our Students & Parents Say

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Real reviews from students and parents across all our tutoring programs β€” collected from Google, Trustpilot, and more.

Want To Support Your 2026 School Year Further?

Plan your your year ahead with a ACT Tutor Specialist and discover how personalised tutoring can transform your 2026 school experience.

FAQs

1. When do ACT students start school in 2026?

New students start on Friday 30 January 2026, while continuing students begin Term 1 on Monday 2 February 2026. This gives new students a few extra days to settle in before the full cohort returns.

2. When should I start planning AST study schedules around these dates?

  • Begin planning 3 months ahead - Use term break dates to schedule intensive revision periods and practice exams
  • Book ACT tutoring early as The best tutors fill up quickly, especially before Term 4 when final exams approach

3. How can I help my child make the most of Canberra school holidays?

  • Balance rest with learning - Short daily study sessions (20-30 minutes) during holidays prevent knowledge fade
  • Use breaks strategically - Holiday tutoring can help struggling students catch up or high achievers get ahead before the next term

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