The 2028 school year has not started yet
Term 1 (Eastern) starts on Monday, 31 January 2028.
Students return after the current school holiday break.
New South Wales school term countdown 2028
Live countdown, current school week and a date checker - calculated from the official dates on this page.
509 days until the 2028 school year starts
The 2028 school year begins with Term 1 (Eastern).
Counting down to the first day of school
Check any date
Pick a date to see whether schools are in term or on holidays then - and which week of term it falls in.
New South Wales school term dates 2028
Term dates for NSW government schools. Independent, Catholic and private schools may vary.
| Term | Starts | Ends | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Eastern) | 31 January 2028 | 7 April 2028 | 9w 4d |
| Term 2 | 24 April 2028 | 7 July 2028 | 10w 4d |
| Term 3 | 24 July 2028 | 29 September 2028 | 9w 4d |
| Term 4 | 16 October 2028 | 21 December 2028 | 9w 3d |
New South Wales school holidays 2028
School holiday breaks between each school term.
| Holiday break | Starts | Ends | Length / note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn school holidays | 10 April 2028 | 21 April 2028 | 12 days |
| Winter school holidays | 10 July 2028 | 21 July 2028 | 12 days |
| Spring school holidays | 3 October 2028 | 13 October 2028 | 11 days |
| Summer school holidays (Eastern) | 22 December 2028 | 25 January 2029 | 35 days |
New South Wales 2028 school year at a glance
- Total school terms: 4
- Total instructional time: 41 weeks across the four terms
- Longest term: Term 2 (11 weeks)
- Shortest term: Term 1 (Eastern) (10 weeks)
- Total school holiday time: 83 days across the four holiday breaks
- Longest break: Summer school holidays (Eastern), at 35 days
2028’s 41 weeks of total instructional time falls in the middle of the 40–42 week range seen across the 5 years shown on this site. Its 35-day summer holidays are the shortest of the years with confirmed dates on this site.
Compared to 2029: Term 1 2028 falls 2 days later than Term 1 2029, Term 4 2028 falls 1 day later than Term 4 2029, and total school holiday time is 6 days fewer in 2028 than in 2029 (83 vs 89) — Summer school holidays (Eastern) run 6 days shorter in 2028 (35 days vs 41 days in 2029); all other breaks are the same length in both years.
These figures are calculated directly from the term and school holiday dates listed on this page.
New South Wales school holidays by year
Move between available NSW year pages.
Good to know: New South Wales planning notes for 2028
NSW is one of the few states where Term 1 start dates can differ within the state itself: the Eastern Division and Western Division sometimes start a few days apart, so it’s worth checking which division applies to your school. NSW also observes a Bank Holiday on the first Monday in August, but unlike most public holidays it mainly affects banks and some public sector workers rather than schools, shops or the general workforce. Catholic systemic schools (run through the local Catholic diocese) generally track NSW government dates closely, but independent schools can vary more. New South Wales calls its pupil-free days School Development Days. The dates are set centrally by the NSW Department of Education rather than by individual schools, so once the department publishes its calendar the same dates apply to every NSW government school. The 2026 NSW Bank Holiday falls on 3 August 2026 — see the NSW public holidays page for the full 2026 list.
Public Holidays
Public holiday dates for 2028 are gazetted by the NSW government closer to the year itself, so a full list isn’t published on this page yet. Fixed national dates — New Year’s Day, Australia Day, ANZAC Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day — can be expected as usual. For NSW-specific public holidays and how they tend to fall relative to school terms, see the fully confirmed NSW 2026 page as a guide, and check the official source link above for this year once it is published.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some NSW term dates show an Eastern and Western Division?
NSW splits some of its term dates between an Eastern Division and a Western Division, mainly affecting when Term 1 begins. Check which division your school falls under if the page notes a difference for the year you’re planning around.
Is the NSW Bank Holiday a school holiday?
No. The NSW Bank Holiday (first Monday in August) traditionally applies to banks and some public servants rather than schools generally, so most NSW schools operate as normal on that day. Always confirm with your school if you’re unsure.
Do Catholic schools in NSW follow the same term dates?
Catholic systemic schools generally follow term dates very close to the NSW government calendar, but individual schools can set their own pupil-free and staff development days. Independent schools have more flexibility and can differ by several days.
Where can I confirm official NSW school term dates?
The NSW Department of Education publishes official term and vacation dates at education.nsw.gov.au, linked from the source note on this page. Check there directly for the latest confirmed dates.
Other states and territories
Download and print NSW 2028 school calendar
Download the New South Wales 2028 school calendar as an iCal file, import it into Google Calendar, Outlook or Apple Calendar, or print this page for offline planning.
8 calendar items included. The file includes available term dates, school holiday breaks and public holidays that appear on this page. Always confirm dates with the official source and your school.
Source and disclaimer
Source: NSW official school dates/source page. Please refer to the official source and your school for final confirmation. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions.