The school term dates and holidays aren't just for knowing when to drop the kids off at school; they're also helpful for planning the whole year and setting up a balanced family life. You can organise childcare, holidays, and activities much more easily when you know all the dates. Here, we'll go through the key school term dates, seasonal holiday breaks, public holidays, and helpful planning advice for families in Western Australia in 2026.
2026 School Year at a Glance
The Western Australian school year is divided into four terms, just like other school systems across the country, such as the school calendar in SA, Victoria, and Tasmania. Each term is followed by a school holiday break where students (and teachers) can reset and recharge. Most public schools follow the same schedule, but Catholic and independent schools can adjust their schedules slightly. Make sure you check the schedule specific to your child's school.
Term 1
Term 1 begins in early February, which is a little later than in the eastern states, like the term times in NSW. This is the term when students settle into their new classes and routines after the long holidays. The term ends in late March.
Autumn School Holidays
The autumn break runs from late March into mid-April, spanning Easter. Consider using this time for local trips and family outings. It's a reasonable period for family activities before the cooler months of winter.
Term 2
The second term is during winter. This is a good time for extracurricular activities, when students should be in their regular routines. This term ends with the winter break in early July.
Winter School Holidays
The winter school holidays are an excellent time to make the most of more indoor activities. We recommend visiting local museums and libraries, and making the most of community programs with the kids. Of course, you can also use this for downtime if you've had a jam-packed second term.
Term 3
The third term begins in mid-July and runs until late September. This is when schools often do sports, art programs, and classroom projects. The kids should definitely be into their routine by this point. The term ends with spring break, which starts in late September, as the weather begins to warm.
Spring School Holidays
With longer days, outdoor activities, and more pleasant weather, the spring school holidays are a great time to enjoy the outdoors. However, with the last term looming, this can feel busier. For many students, this is when they should really rest up before the previous term.
Term 4
The fourth term is the final furlong. End-of-year celebrations, transition activities, performances, and other events can make students feel hectic. With the end of this term, students start their long summer holidays.
Summer School Holidays
During the year's most extended break, families can travel, rest, or enjoy Western Australia's outdoor lifestyle. Head to the beach, go camping, or visit relatives. The break extends into January with the start of the 2027 school year.
General Planning Notes
Just remember that while Western Australian public schools follow a statewide calendar, Catholic and independent schools may not. Whether you're looking for term times in Tasmania, Victoria, or WA, always confirm the dates with your child's school. Make sure you keep a calendar at home with all the term dates.
Public Holidays to Note
Don't forget to take public holidays into account when planning term-time or holiday activities! You could maximise a long weekend with travel opportunities, or you might have to arrange childcare because of an extra day off for your child. Make a note of the important ones.
Public Holidays During Term Time
These are the public holidays that fall during the school year. They may include events the family wants to attend. Add them to your calendar.
Public Holidays During School Holidays
These are the public holidays that occur during school holidays. While they don't result in an extra day off for the kids, they might be a day off for you or affect your plans. Remember that businesses observing these days or other workers enjoying a day off may result in more costly accommodation, more traffic, or other considerations that may affect your plans.
Planning Around Public Holidays
During public holidays, there might be parades, community celebrations, or seasonal festivals. Look at school newsletters and information, or local council information, for how public holidays may affect your planning. As with everything, we recommend planning as far ahead as you can.
Daylight Saving Time in 2026
While some states observe daylight saving time, changing the clocks twice a year, Western Australia does not. This is a significant advantage, especially for those with small children who won't have to adjust their schedules twice a year. Still, it can cause problems if you deal with areas that observe daylight saving time like Victoria. Travelling or communicating across states can become more complicated, especially after the clocks go forward or back.
Why This Matters for Families
With Western Australia making the wise decision not to observe daylight saving, other states haven't necessarily followed suit. This means Western Australia may be one or two hours behind the rest of the country. Contacting relatives, watching events from other states, or even scheduling interstate activities can all be affected.
Travel and Communication Considerations
Travelling across state borders during school holidays is when daylight saving may rear its ugly head, but since Queensland doesn't observe DST, that's one fewer place to worry about. For flights, holiday road trips, or booking activities, remember what time it is where you're going. Do this before you plan to set off or book anything in another state, especially on the day you travel, as you can't easily make up an hour on the road or in the air!
How to Plan Around the Calendar
Different seasons are better for different activities. Indoor activities are better for cooler months, while the summer can be spent enjoying the outdoors. Plan your calendar around the school term times and the weather.
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