Queensland School Holidays 2026: Full Dates

Anyone who’s ever tried to coordinate a Queensland family holiday around the school calendar knows the feeling — the moment term ends, prices climb and campsites fill. The 2026 schedule from Education Queensland (state education authority) confirms 195 school days across four terms, with the October long weekend creating a spring break that catches many travellers off guard. This guide lays out every term date, explains the public holidays that matter, and points out why the timing affects your plans.

School days in 2026: 195 ·
Term 1: 27 Jan – 2 Apr ·
Term 2: 20 Apr – 26 Jun ·
Term 3: 13 Jul – 18 Sep ·
Term 4: 6 Oct – 11 Dec

Five key facts from the official state calendar, one pattern: every break except the summer holiday falls within a single season, making Queensland’s schedule more compact than many other Australian states.

What are the QLD school holiday dates in 2026?

Education Queensland’s official 2026 calendar, published by the state education authority, sets 195 school days across four terms with breaks that largely avoid the peak summer heat — though the spring holiday lands right as temperatures begin climbing.

When does Term 1 start and end?

Term 1 begins on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 — the day after Australia Day — and runs through Thursday, 2 April 2026, according to the Education Queensland 2026 school calendar. Teachers return earlier: semester 1 for staff commences on 22 January 2026, with professional development days scheduled for 22 and 23 January.

When are the autumn holidays?

Autumn (or “fall”) school holidays run from Friday, 3 April 2026 through Sunday, 19 April 2026, per the Education Queensland calendar. This break coincides with the Easter long weekend — Good Friday falls on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April — giving families an extended window for travel.

Term 2 picks up on Monday, 20 April 2026 and ends Friday, 26 June 2026, followed by winter holidays from 27 June through 12 July 2026 — a clean 16-day break that avoids the coldest weeks of the Queensland winter, as confirmed by the Education Queensland schedule.

Term 3 runs 13 July – 18 September 2026, with spring holidays from 19 September through 5 October 2026. Term 4 begins Tuesday, 6 October 2026 — the day after the Queen’s Birthday public holiday — and concludes on Friday, 11 December 2026, according to the Education Queensland official calendar.

What is the long weekend in October in Queensland?

The October long weekend is a fixture on the Queensland calendar, but many visitors — and even some locals — misunderstand what it actually celebrates and how it affects school scheduling.

Why is October 5 a holiday?

Monday, 5 October 2026 is the Queen’s Birthday public holiday in Queensland, as stated by the Queensland Government public holidays page (state government authority). Unlike most other states that observe the Queen’s Birthday in June, Queensland has historically placed it on the first Monday of October. This creates a long weekend from Saturday 3 October through Monday 5 October, and because the spring school holidays run until 5 October, students effectively get an extra day off before Term 4 starts on Tuesday 6 October.

Is October summer in QLD?

October is spring in Queensland, not summer, according to the Australian Government (national seasonal reference). Summer officially begins in December. Average October temperatures in Brisbane range from 15°C to 27°C, with low rainfall and abundant sunshine, per Bureau of Meteorology (Australia’s national weather authority). The weather is warm and dry enough for beach trips and outdoor activities, but the water hasn’t reached peak summer warmth yet. For families planning October getaways, the south-east Queensland coast offers ideal conditions — but book early, because the long weekend drives demand.

What time does school start and end in Queensland?

School hours in Queensland are more uniform than many parents expect, though variations exist between state and independent schools.

What are the typical school hours?

Most Queensland state schools operate from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, according to Education Queensland (state education authority). This schedule delivers a six-hour instructional day, five days a week, meeting the minimum instructional hours requirement set by the state government. Education Queensland’s curriculum guidelines (state curriculum authority) specify the minimum weekly instructional hours per year level.

Are there variations between schools?

Some private and independent schools operate on slightly different schedules. While the Education Queensland (state education authority) publishes standard hours for state schools, independent schools set their own timetables. A handful of private schools in Brisbane and the Gold Coast start at 8:30 AM or end at 3:15 PM, but these variations are the exception, not the rule. Parents should check their specific school’s handbook or website for exact times.

Why is October 5 a holiday?

5 October 2026 is the Queen’s Birthday public holiday, a gazetted public holiday under the Holidays Act 1983 (Qld), as confirmed by the Queensland Government public holidays page (state government authority). Most businesses, schools, and government services are closed. Because it falls on a Monday immediately following the spring school holidays, it effectively extends the break by one day for students — Term 4 begins on Tuesday 6 October.

What this means: the October long weekend is a genuine three-day break for most Queensland families, but school resumes the very next day. Parents planning a getaway should note that Tuesday 6 October is a regular school day, not an extension of the holiday.

Is October summer in QLD?

October is spring in Queensland, a distinction that matters for travel planning. According to the Australian Government (national seasonal reference), Australian summer runs from December through February. The Bureau of Meteorology (Australia’s national weather authority) records Brisbane’s average October temperatures between 15°C and 27°C, with relatively low humidity compared to the summer months. The weather is warm and dry — ideal for outdoor activities — but the ocean hasn’t reached its peak summer warmth, typically sitting around 22°C.

The trade-off: families who travel during the October break get spring weather that feels like an early summer, with fewer crowds than the December peak. For south-east Queensland’s tourism operators, the October long weekend marks the beginning of the pre-summer rush, not the main event.

For Queensland families, the 2026 calendar presents a clear pattern: four terms of roughly 10–11 weeks each, with breaks that align closely with seasonal transitions. The October long weekend — spring, not summer — extends the spring break by a day but means Term 4 starts on Tuesday 6 October. The choice for parents planning ahead is straightforward: book the autumn break’s second week for lower prices, or target the October break for warm weather without peak-season crowds. Either way, the official dates from Education Queensland give you a full year to prepare.