Act School Holidays 2026 – Term Dates Calendar Guide

Families in the Australian Capital Territory can now access the confirmed schedule for ACT public school term dates and holidays in 2026. The ACT Government has published official calendars covering the four-term academic year, complete with holiday breaks, public holiday observances, and student-free days for teachers. This guide brings together the key dates, downloadable resources, and practical information to help parents and caregivers plan ahead.

The 2026 school year for ACT public schools follows the standard four-term structure used throughout the territory. Each term is accompanied by dedicated holiday periods, with breaks ranging from roughly two weeks during autumn and winter to over six weeks for the summer vacation. Understanding these dates is essential for booking leave, arranging childcare, and coordinating family activities well in advance.

What are the ACT public school term dates for 2026?

The 2026 academic year for ACT public schools spans four distinct terms, each with specific start and end dates published by the ACT Government. The year begins with teachers returning on 29 January, followed by new students on 30 January and continuing students on 2 February. Term 1 concludes on 2 April, with Term 2 running from 21 April through 3 July.

Overview of the four terms

Key insights for the 2026 school year

• New students in Term 1 begin one school day earlier than continuing students, a pattern that repeats across many ACT schools
• Easter 2026 falls entirely within the autumn holiday break, with Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April
• Teachers receive dedicated student-free days before each term begins, separate from the student attendance dates
• Term 4 is the shortest term, running approximately 10 weeks from mid-October to mid-December
• Several public holidays occur during school terms, including Canberra Day in March and Reconciliation Day in June
• Independent schools such as Canberra Grammar School may follow slightly different dates, particularly for term start dates

Snapshot of key facts

When do ACT school holidays occur in 2026?

ACT public school students enjoy four holiday periods throughout 2026, aligned with the four-term structure. The autumn break follows Term 1, winter break follows Term 2, spring break follows Term 3, and the longest break—the summer holiday—caps the year. Each period has distinct characteristics in terms of duration and any public holidays that fall within it.

Autumn holidays (post-Term 1)

The autumn holiday break runs from Friday 3 April through Monday 20 April 2026. This period encompasses the Easter long weekend, which in 2026 includes Good Friday (3 April), Easter Saturday (4 April), Easter Sunday (5 April), and Easter Monday (6 April). Students return to school on Tuesday 21 April for the commencement of Term 2.

Winter holidays (post-Term 2)

The winter break begins on Saturday 4 July and continues until Monday 20 July. This approximately two-and-a-half-week period falls between the end of Term 2 on 3 July and the start of Term 3 on 22 July. ANZAC Day on 25 April occurs earlier in the year, during the first week of Term 2 following the Easter break.

Spring holidays (post-Term 3)

Students enjoy a spring holiday from Saturday 26 September through Monday 12 October. This break sits between the conclusion of Term 3 on 25 September and the commencement of Term 4 on 13 October. The timing coincides with the Labour Day public holiday, which falls on 5 October in the ACT.

Summer holidays (post-Term 4)

The summer break extends from Saturday 19 December 2026 through to Sunday 31 January 2027. This is the longest holiday period, spanning approximately six weeks. The break accommodates the Christmas and New Year period, with the new school year commencing in late January 2027.

Where can I download the official ACT school term dates 2026 PDF?

The ACT Government makes official school term date documents available through its website, providing families with printable resources for their planning needs. These PDFs and other digital formats allow parents and caregivers to access reliable, up-to-date information directly from the authoritative source for ACT public school dates.

Available official resources

The primary downloadable resource is the print-friendly term dates document covering 2026 through 2030. This PDF provides a clear overview of all term dates and student-free days across multiple years, making it useful for long-term family planning. The document is maintained by the ACT Government’s Education Directorate.

A second useful resource is the 2026 calendar PDF, which presents the school year in a visual weekly format. This calendar marks key dates including holidays, term endings, and student-free days, offering a straightforward visual reference for the entire year.

For those who prefer editable formats, a DOCX version of the term dates is also available. This allows users to incorporate the dates into their own documents or planning systems.

Official website page

The ACT Government’s main page covering public holidays, school terms, and daylight saving provides additional context and information alongside the downloadable resources. This page serves as a central hub for official information about school dates in the territory.

What are the term dates for specific ACT schools like Daramalan and Canberra Grammar in 2026?

Independent schools in the ACT operate under their own governance structures and set their term dates independently of the public school calendar. While many independent schools adopt dates similar to the ACT public system, variations do occur. The two schools frequently referenced in searches—Daramalan College and Canberra Grammar School—exemplify this pattern.

Canberra Grammar School

Canberra Grammar School, a long-established independent school in the ACT, has published its 2026 term dates. According to information available on the school’s website, Term 1 at Canberra Grammar begins on Monday 2 February with new student orientation, followed by the first full day for all students on Tuesday 3 February. Term 2 commences on Monday 20 April, aligning closely with the public school system.

Radford College

Radford College, another independent school in Canberra, provides a useful comparison. Its 2026 term dates show Term 1 running from Tuesday 3 February through Thursday 2 April, with Term 2 beginning Monday 20 April and concluding Thursday 25 June—slightly earlier than the public school end date of 3 July. Term 3 runs from Tuesday 21 July to Friday 25 September.

Daramalan College

Direct 2026 term date information for Daramalan College was not available in the sources reviewed. As with any independent school, families are encouraged to consult the school’s official website or contact the administration directly to confirm dates for the upcoming year. Independent schools may publish their calendars at different times throughout the year.

Key dates for ACT schools in 2026: A timeline

The following chronological list highlights the most important dates for ACT public school families throughout 2026. This timeline combines both school term dates and relevant public holidays to provide a complete overview of the year.

1. Thursday 29 January 2026 – Teachers return for student-free day (ACT public schools)
2. Friday 30 January 2026 – New students commence (ACT public schools)
3. Monday 2 February 2026 – Continuing students return; Australia Day (26 January) has already passed
4. Monday 9 March 2026 – Canberra Day public holiday (during Term 1)
5. Thursday 2 April 2026 – Term 1 ends
6. Friday 3 April 2026 – Autumn holidays begin; Good Friday
7. Monday 6 April 2026 – Easter Monday (within autumn holidays)
8. Monday 20 April 2026 – Teachers return; student-free day
9. Tuesday 21 April 2026 – Term 2 commences for students
10. Saturday 4 July 2026 – Winter holidays begin
11. Friday 3 July 2026 – Term 2 ends
12. Friday 25 September 2026 – Term 3 ends
13. Saturday 26 September 2026 – Spring holidays begin
14. Monday 12 October 2026 – Teachers return; student-free day
15. Tuesday 13 October 2026 – Term 4 commences
16. Friday 18 December 2026 – Term 4 ends; summer holidays begin

What’s confirmed and what remains unclear about ACT school dates for 2026

Given the range of sources available—from official government publications to individual school websites—it helps to distinguish between what is firmly established and what carries some degree of uncertainty. The following comparison outlines the current level of certainty for key information areas.

Understanding ACT school terms in context

The ACT operates a four-term school year, a structure shared with Victoria but distinct from New South Wales, Queensland, and most other Australian states and territories, which typically use a three-term system. This means ACT school holiday dates do not necessarily align with those in neighbouring states. Families travelling or coordinating across state lines should be aware of these differences.

Each term in the ACT is preceded by a student-free day for teachers, allowing time for preparation and professional development before students return. This arrangement is standard across ACT public schools and is reflected in the official calendar documents published by the Education Directorate. The pattern ensures teachers are ready before the bustle of a new term begins.

Canberra Day, observed on the second Monday in March, is a significant ACT-specific public holiday that falls during Term 1. Similarly, Reconciliation Day (the first Monday in June) and the King’s Birthday (observed on the second Monday in June) both occur during Term 2. These local observances are part of what distinguishes the ACT school year from other jurisdictions.

Official sources for ACT school information

Several key sources provide the most reliable and authoritative information about ACT school term dates and holidays. The following resources are drawn from official government bodies and recognised educational institutions within the territory.

The ACT Government Education Directorate publishes official term date documents covering all public schools in the territory. These documents are updated annually and serve as the authoritative reference for school dates.

ACT Government Education Directorate – Official Term Dates 2026–2030

Individual independent schools publish their own term dates, which may vary slightly from the public system. Schools such as Canberra Grammar School provide current year calendars on their websites.

Canberra Grammar School – Official Term Dates Page

Planning ahead for ACT school holidays 2026

With the 2026 ACT school calendar now confirmed for public schools, families have the information needed to plan ahead effectively. The key is to note the distinct break periods, remember that new and continuing students start at different times in Term 1, and account for Easter occurring in early April. For those with children at independent schools, direct confirmation of dates remains advisable.

The downloadable PDFs from the ACT Government website offer the most reliable reference for families who prefer a printed or digital copy of the full calendar. Families might also find our Father’s Day 2025 Australia guide useful for seasonal planning context, or the August 2025 Calendar for general calendar reference throughout the year.