Why this matters
A public holiday that falls inside a school holiday break doesn’t change anything for families — the kids are already off school either way. But a public holiday that falls during term, close to a break, often means a long weekend attached to the school holidays, which affects travel pricing, activity bookings and trading hours. This page cross-references each state’s confirmed 2026 public holidays against its school holiday breaks so you can see, state by state, which ones actually line up.
Victoria
Easter (3–6 April) falls inside the autumn break (3–19 April). The Friday before the AFL Grand Final (25 September) falls inside the spring break (19 September – 4 October). Melbourne Cup Day (3 November) falls during Term 4, after the spring break has ended, so it functions as a standalone long weekend rather than extending a break.
New South Wales
Easter (3–6 April) falls inside the autumn break (3–21 April). Labour Day (5 October) falls inside the spring break (26 September – 12 October). The NSW Bank Holiday (3 August) and King’s Birthday (8 June) both fall during term.
Queensland
Easter (3–6 April) falls inside the autumn break (3–19 April). King’s Birthday (5 October) falls right at the end of the spring break (19 September – 5 October). Labour Day (4 May) and the Royal Queensland Show holiday (12 August, Brisbane only) both fall during term.
South Australia
SA is a useful example of why it pays to check rather than assume: the autumn break doesn’t start until 11 April, so Easter (3–6 April) actually falls during Term 1 in South Australia, not during the holiday break. ANZAC Day (25 April) does fall inside the autumn break (11–26 April), and Labour Day (5 October) falls inside the spring break (26 September – 11 October).
Western Australia
Easter (3–6 April) falls inside the autumn break (3–19 April). King’s Birthday (28 September) falls inside the spring break (26 September – 11 October). WA Day (1 June) and Labour Day (2 March) both fall during term.
Tasmania
Like South Australia, Tasmania’s autumn break starts later than most states (18 April), so Easter (3–6 April) falls during Term 1 rather than the break. ANZAC Day (25 April) does fall inside the autumn break (18 April – 3 May). Tasmania’s many regional show holidays mostly fall during term rather than inside a break, since they’re spread across the year to suit different local council areas.
Australian Capital Territory
Easter (3–6 April) falls inside the autumn break (3–20 April). Labour Day (5 October) falls inside the spring break (26 September – 12 October). Reconciliation Day (1 June) and King’s Birthday (8 June) both fall during term.
Northern Territory
Easter (3–6 April) falls inside the autumn break (3–13 April). Two of the NT’s regional show days — Alice Springs Show Day (3 July) and Tennant Creek Show Day (10 July) — fall inside the winter break (20 June – 13 July), while Katherine Show Day (17 July) and Darwin Show Day (24 July) fall just after it, during term.
Related pages
Check the full public holiday table and school holiday dates for your state on its 2026 page, or see public holidays by state for a national overview.