Queensland schools face a fragmented 2025 calendar where state, Catholic, and independent schools follow different term dates — sometimes by a full week. This guide compiles verified dates from official sources so families can plan around the exact breaks that affect their child’s school.

4 related posts

Term 1 Start: Tuesday 28 January 2025 · Term 1 End: Friday 4 April 2025 · Autumn Holidays: 5 April – 21 April 2025 · Term 2 End: Friday 26 June 2025 · Winter Holidays: 27 June – 12 July 2025

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact private school start dates vary by school
  • No single PDF calendar for all QLD Catholic schools — check individual school sites
  • Student free days vary by school
3Timeline signal
  • Term 1: 28 Jan – 4 Apr 2025
  • Autumn (incl. Easter): 5 Apr – 21 Apr 2025
  • Winter: 27 Jun – 12 Jul 2025
  • Spring: 19 Sep – 4 Oct 2025
4What happens next
  • QLD Dept of Education typically publishes 2026 dates by mid-year
  • Families can expect Term 1 2026 to start late January

The following table summarises key metadata about the 2025 Queensland school year based on state school baseline information.

Label Value
Official Source education.qld.gov.au
Term 1 Duration 10 weeks
Total Holiday Weeks 14 weeks across 4 breaks
Student Free Days Varies by school

What are the QLD school term dates?

Queensland state schools follow a four-term structure, with each term typically lasting about 10 weeks. The Catholic Schools Guide confirms that QLD state school Term 1 2025 runs from Tuesday 28 January to Friday 4 April.

Term 1: January to April 2025

Queensland state schools start Term 1 on Tuesday 28 January 2025, according to the Catholic Schools Guide. Most terms run approximately 10 weeks. Easter Monday 2025 falls on Monday 21 April, according to the St Francis Xavier Mackay term dates, which marks the end of the autumn holiday break.

Term 2: April to June 2025

Term 2 runs from the day after the autumn break through to late June. Labour Day QLD 2025 falls on Monday 5 May, according to the St Francis Xavier Mackay term dates, and occurs during Term 2. Good Friday 2025 falls on Friday 18 April, which is within the autumn break period before Term 2 begins.

What to watch

The verified fact confirms Easter Monday 2025 is Monday 21 April. Some source materials list Term 2 as starting Monday 20 April, which would fall on Easter Monday itself — a day when schools are closed. Families should verify exact term start dates with their school.

Term 3: July to September 2025

Term 3 begins after the winter holidays and runs through mid-September. St Therese’s Catholic School confirms Term 3 first day as Monday 14 January 2025.

Term 4: October to December 2025

Term 4 closes out the school year in mid-December. The King’s Birthday public holiday 2025 falls on Monday 6 October, according to the St Francis Xavier Mackay term dates — and for many schools, this falls just before Term 4 begins.

The implication: families who know their child’s school end date can plan summer travel before peak December crowds — but only if they verify the exact date now.

What is the holiday calendar for 2025?

Four main holiday breaks structure the 2025 Queensland school year, with public holidays integrated into each period. St Francis Xavier Mackay confirms Good Friday 18 April, Easter Monday 21 April, Anzac Day 25 April, and Labour Day 5 May as fixed 2025 public holidays in Queensland.

Autumn Holidays

Autumn holidays run from 5 April through 21 April 2025. This break includes the Easter long weekend — Good Friday 18 April and Easter Monday 21 April — according to the St Francis Xavier Mackay term dates.

Winter Holidays

Winter holidays span 27 June through 12 July 2025. No major statewide public holidays fall within this two-week break for Queensland state schools.

Spring Holidays

Spring holidays run from 19 September through 4 October 2025, bridging Terms 3 and 4.

Summer Holidays

Summer holidays run from 12 December 2025 through 26 January 2026, giving families the longest break of the year.

Why this matters

The autumn break is the shortest holiday period at roughly 2.5 weeks, while summer stretches over 6 weeks. Families who know this can budget annual leave accordingly.

Are QLD 2025 term dates different for private schools?

Yes — and this is where families need to pay attention. The Queensland Department of Education explicitly states that independent and Catholic schools base their holidays on state school dates, but these can vary from school to school.

Public vs Private School Dates

State school dates serve as the baseline, but private schools set their own calendars. The QLD Government guidance confirms that independent schools and Catholic schools can vary from school to school — families should check directly with their school for exact dates.

Catholic and Independent Schools

Many QLD Catholic schools align Term 1 start around 28 January 2025 but vary by 1-2 days, according to the Catholic Schools Guide. Pupil free days often precede term starts in Catholic dioceses, according to the Diocese of Toowoomba.

The catch

No uniform PDF calendar covers all QLD Catholic schools in one place, according to the Queensland Department of Education. Each school or diocese publishes its own calendar — usually available by December for the following year.

What are QLD Catholic school holidays 2025?

Catholic schools in Queensland often align closely with state school dates but maintain diocesan-level variations. The Queensland Department of Education confirms that Catholic schools in QLD base holidays on state dates but vary by school or diocese.

Catholic Term Dates Overview

St Francis Xavier Mackay Catholic School follows Term 1 2025 from Tuesday 28 January to Friday 4 April, matching state school dates. However, St Francis Xavier Mackay lists Term 4 ending Friday 5 December 2025 — a full week earlier than state schools finish.

Key Holiday Periods

Catholic schools share the same four seasonal breaks as state schools, but individual events can differ. St Therese’s Catholic School in Edmonton notes pupil free days on 27-28 January 2025 before students return Wednesday 29 January — one day after state schools start.

The upshot

Families choosing between state and Catholic schools should request the school’s official calendar before enrolling — the difference in term end dates can affect summer travel timing.

What are the QLD school holiday dates in 2026?

The exact 2026 term dates are not yet verified from official Queensland Department of Education publications, but the pattern follows a consistent structure. QLD state school Term 4 2025 ends Thursday 11 December 2025, according to verified facts. Summer holidays typically run from mid-December through late January.

Families can expect Term 1 2026 to start late January — similar to the Tuesday 28 January 2025 start for state schools. The Queensland Department of Education typically publishes the official 2026 calendar by mid-year.

The pattern: for families with seniors finishing in late November, the choice between booking early-December travel or waiting until after school ends hinges on confirming the specific school date — and that date can differ by a week between school types.

Confirmed

  • QLD state school Term 1 2025 starts Tuesday 28 January
  • QLD state school Term 1 2025 ends Friday 4 April
  • Easter Monday 2025: Monday 21 April
  • Good Friday 2025: Friday 18 April
  • Labour Day QLD 2025: Monday 5 May
  • Anzac Day 2025: Friday 25 April
  • QLD public holidays fixed by state government

Unclear

  • Exact private non-Catholic school term dates vary by institution
  • Specific 2026 term dates not yet published by QLD Dept of Education
  • Student free days set independently by each school

“The Department of Education sets the term and school holiday dates for all Queensland state schools. Independent and Catholic schools base their holidays on the state school dates, but these can vary from school to school”

— QLD Dept of Education, Official

“Independent schools and Catholic schools can vary from school to school—check with your independent or Catholic school for details.”

— QLD Government, Official

Related reading: ACT School Holidays 2026 · August 2025 Calendar

Additional sources

dow.catholic.edu.au, cns.catholic.edu.au, newywithkids.com.au, twb.catholic.edu.au, tsv.catholic.edu.au, bne.catholic.edu.au

Queensland families planning extended breaks often cross-reference the detailed QLD 2024-2025 holidays calendar to align 2024 transitions with upcoming 2025 term dates.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the exact start date for QLD Term 1 2025?

Queensland state schools start Term 1 on Tuesday 28 January 2025. Some Catholic schools like the Diocese of Toowoomba begin one day later on Wednesday 29 January. Always verify with your specific school.

How long are the Christmas school holidays 2025 QLD?

Summer holidays run from 12 December 2025 through 26 January 2026 — roughly 6.5 weeks. However, some Catholic schools like Mackay finish earlier on Friday 5 December.

Are there student free days before terms start?

Yes — pupil free days often precede term starts, particularly in Catholic schools. Diocese of Toowoomba lists professional development days 22-24 January 2025 before Term 1 begins.

What public holidays fall during school terms in 2025?

Easter Monday (21 April), Labour Day (5 May), and Anzac Day (25 April) all fall during school terms. The St Francis Xavier Mackay term dates confirm these as Queensland public holidays.

Where can I download school holidays 2025 QLD PDF?

There is no single statewide PDF covering all school types. Individual schools publish their own calendars — for example, St Therese’s Catholic School publishes its 2025 overview as a PDF. Check your school’s website directly.

Do primary and secondary schools have the same holidays?

In Queensland, primary and secondary schools within the same sector typically share the same holiday dates. State primary and secondary schools follow the same term dates. Private and Catholic schools may set their own schedules independently.

How do QLD holidays align with NSW school holidays?

Queensland and NSW share most public holidays including Easter and Anzac Day, but NSW often has slightly different term dates and holiday break lengths. Families travelling between states should verify both state calendars independently.