Quick answer
Summer school holidays start in December in every state. In 2026, QLD, SA and NT on Sat 12 Dec; NSW and WA on Fri 18 Dec; VIC, TAS and ACT on Sat 19 Dec. In 2027 they start between Sat 11 Dec and Tue 21 Dec.
Which states have school holidays in December 2026 and 2027?
December is when the summer school holidays begin. Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory finish first, in the second week of December. 8 of 8 states and territories have school holidays in December in this period.
| State | Break | Holidays | Students return |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Summer holidays 2026–27 | Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Wed 27 Jan 2027 | Wed 3 Feb 2027 |
| New South Wales | Summer holidays 2027–28 | Tue 21 Dec 2027 – Fri 28 Jan 2028 | Not yet published |
| Victoria | Summer holidays 2026–27 | Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Wed 27 Jan 2027 | Thu 28 Jan 2027 |
| Victoria | Summer holidays 2027–28 | Starts Sat 18 Dec 2027 | Not yet published |
| Queensland | Summer holidays 2026–27 | Sat 12 Dec 2026 – Tue 26 Jan 2027 | Wed 27 Jan 2027 |
| Queensland | Summer holidays 2027–28 | Starts Sat 11 Dec 2027 | Not yet published |
| Western Australia | Summer holidays 2026–27 | Fri 18 Dec 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027 | Mon 1 Feb 2027 |
| Western Australia | Summer holidays 2027–28 | Starts Fri 17 Dec 2027 | Not yet published |
| South Australia | Summer holidays 2026–27 | Sat 12 Dec 2026 – Tue 26 Jan 2027 | Wed 27 Jan 2027 |
| South Australia | Summer holidays 2027–28 | Starts Sat 11 Dec 2027 | Not yet published |
| Tasmania | Summer holidays 2026–27 | Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Wed 3 Feb 2027 | Thu 4 Feb 2027 |
| Tasmania | Summer holidays 2027–28 | Starts Fri 17 Dec 2027 | Not yet published |
| Australian Capital Territory | Summer holidays 2026–27 | Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Mon 1 Feb 2027 | Tue 2 Feb 2027 |
| Australian Capital Territory | Summer holidays 2027–28 | Starts Sat 18 Dec 2027 | Not yet published |
| Northern Territory | Summer holidays 2026–27 | Sat 12 Dec 2026 – Tue 26 Jan 2027 | Wed 27 Jan 2027 |
| Northern Territory | Summer holidays 2027–28 | Starts Sat 11 Dec 2027 | Not yet published |
Breaks run from the day after one term ends to the day before the next term starts, so they include weekends. Dates are for government schools.
What are the December school holiday dates for my state?
Open your state for the full term and holiday dates: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT.
Frequently asked questions
Which states finish school first for Christmas?
Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory finish Term 4 on Friday 11 December 2026.
When do the 2027 summer holidays start?
From Saturday 11 December 2027 in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory, and up to Tuesday 21 December 2027 in New South Wales. The return dates in January 2028 are not published yet.
Do private and Catholic schools have the same dates?
Many follow the government calendar, but some set their own. Check your school's calendar.
More school holiday dates
January · April · July · September · October · All states compared · Back to school
See also: Christmas and New Year public holidays.