Quick answer
Choose two states or territories and the tool puts their term dates and school holidays side by side. You can see at a glance which state breaks up first, how many days the breaks overlap, and when each state goes back. Open any state for the full dates.
How do two states compare?
The first column is your first choice and the second column is your second choice. Dates include the weekends either side of each break.
Which states usually break up at the same time?
For the 2026–27 summer break, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory break up earliest, on Sat 12 Dec 2026. New South Wales and Western Australia follow on Fri 18 Dec, and Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT on Sat 19 Dec. The full comparison table shows every break for every state.
Frequently asked questions
Why do school holidays differ between states?
Each state and territory education department sets its own term dates, so breaks do not line up exactly.
Do private schools follow the same dates?
Many do, but independent and Catholic schools can set their own dates. Check with your school.
Can I compare more than two states?
The school holidays page has one table with all eight.
See also: school holidays by state, back to school, countdown, printable calendars.