Australian Calendars

Australian Public Holidays & School Calendars

Public Holidays in Australia

Australia observes a mix of national public holidays and state-specific holidays. National holidays like New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Queen's Birthday, and Christmas Day are observed across all states and territories. However, each state and territory also has its own additional public holidays.

Public holidays are important for:

• Planning annual leave and maximizing time off with long weekends
• Managing payroll and calculating employee entitlements
• Scheduling business operations and client meetings
• Calculating working days for project timelines
• Understanding penalty rates for employees working on public holidays

School Holidays & Term Dates

Australian school holidays vary by state, as education is a state responsibility. Most states follow a four-term school year, with breaks between each term:

• Autumn Holidays: Usually 2 weeks in April around Easter
• Winter Holidays: Usually 2 weeks in late June/early July
• Spring Holidays: Usually 2 weeks in late September/early October
• Summer Holidays: Usually 6 weeks from mid-December to late January

School holiday calendars are essential for:

• Parents planning childcare and family activities
• Booking holidays during school breaks when children are available
• Teachers and educators planning professional development
• Casual and relief teachers understanding work availability
• Businesses preparing for seasonal demand changes

Planning Tools

Need to calculate your income around holidays? Check out our free Australian payroll calculators:

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these calendars accurate?

Yes! All public holidays are sourced from official government sources and verified regularly. School holidays are sourced directly from state education department calendars. Our system automatically updates monthly to ensure accuracy.

Do school holidays differ by state?

Yes, school holidays vary by state in Australia. While the general structure is similar (four terms with breaks in between), the exact dates differ. Some states may also have different term lengths or holiday durations. Always check your specific state's calendar.

What's the difference between public holidays and school holidays?

Public holidays are official days off work recognised by the government, where most businesses close and employees receive paid leave or penalty rates. School holidays are breaks in the school term calendar when students don't attend school, but most businesses remain open. Parents may need to arrange childcare during school holidays.

Can I download these calendars?

Yes! Each calendar page has a "Download Calendar (.ics)" button. Click it to download an iCalendar file that you can import into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, or any calendar app that supports the standard .ics format. The calendar will automatically add all holidays for that year to your personal calendar.