Act School Holidays 2025 – Official Term Dates and Calendar
Families across Canberra are preparing for the 2025 academic year with a clear schedule of four ten-week terms and four distinct holiday breaks. The Australian Capital Territory maintains standardized term dates for public schools, ensuring consistency from Tuggeranong to Gungahlin. Yet variations exist between new and returning students at the start of the year, and private institutions often diverge from the public calendar.
The 2025 calendar aligns the autumn break with Easter, places winter holidays squarely in July, and extends the summer break across approximately six weeks. For parents coordinating travel, childcare, or work commitments, understanding these dates—and where independent schools differ—proves essential for effective planning.
What are the ACT public school term dates for 2025?
| Autumn Holidays 12 Apr – 28 Apr 2025 |
Winter Holidays 5 Jul – 21 Jul 2025 |
Spring Holidays 27 Sep – 13 Oct 2025 |
Summer Holidays 19 Dec 2025 – 1 Feb 2026 |
- Each term runs exactly 10 weeks duration for public schools
- New students commence Term 1 one day earlier than continuing students
- Term 4 concludes on Thursday, 18 December, creating a longer summer break
- All four terms maintain consistent Tuesday start dates except Term 1
- Canberra Day falls during Term 1, providing a long weekend
- Anzac Day creates a bridge between autumn holidays and Term 2
- Summer holidays span approximately six weeks, the longest break of the year
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 3 Feb (new) 4 Feb (cont) |
11 Apr 2025 | 10 weeks | Canberra Day 10 Mar |
| Term 2 | 29 Apr 2025 | 4 Jul 2025 | 10 weeks | Post-Anzac Day start |
| Term 3 | 22 Jul 2025 | 26 Sep 2025 | 10 weeks | Mid-year break |
| Term 4 | 14 Oct 2025 | 18 Dec 2025 | 10 weeks | Thursday finish |
| Autumn Holidays | 12 Apr 2025 | 28 Apr 2025 | 17 days | Includes Easter |
| Winter Holidays | 5 Jul 2025 | 21 Jul 2025 | 17 days | Mid-year break |
| Spring Holidays | 27 Sep 2025 | 13 Oct 2025 | 17 days | Labour Day included |
| Summer Holidays | 19 Dec 2025 | 1 Feb 2026 | ~6 weeks | Longest break |
When are the main ACT school holiday periods in 2025?
Autumn Holidays
The autumn break commences Saturday, 12 April, extending through Monday, 28 April 2025. This 17-day interval encompasses the Easter long weekend, with Good Friday falling on 18 April and Easter Monday on 21 April. Families often utilise this period for regional travel before the onset of cooler weather.
Winter Holidays
Winter holidays run from Saturday, 5 July to Monday, 21 July 2025. Spanning 17 days, this break sits entirely within the July 2025 Calendar with Holidays. The timing aligns with potential mid-year events, providing a consistent mid-year respite for Canberra families.
Spring Holidays
Spring holidays stretch from Saturday, 27 September to Monday, 13 October 2025. Labour Day on 6 October falls within this break, effectively extending the holiday for one day. The 17-day duration matches the autumn and winter breaks precisely.
Unlike some states where holiday lengths vary between terms, ACT maintains uniform 17-day breaks for autumn, winter, and spring, with only the summer holidays extending significantly longer at approximately six weeks.
Do private schools in ACT follow the same holiday dates as public schools?
Catholic Education System Variations
Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG) schools broadly mirror public term dates but incorporate additional pupil-free days. According to the official CECG 2025 calendar, primary students commence Term 1 on 4 February rather than 3 February, and finish 10 April instead of 11 April. Staff return on 3 February for planning.
The Catholic system schedules pupil-free days on 28 April (prior to Term 2), 21 July (prior to Term 3), and 13 October (prior to Term 4). These additional non-school days accommodate professional development requirements distinct from public school schedules.
Independent and Grammar Schools
Marist College Canberra begins Term 1 on 3 February for new students and 4 February for returning students, matching public dates, though families should verify specific term dates directly with the college website. Canberra Grammar School concludes Term 3 on 25 September and commences Term 4 on 12 October, suggesting slight variations in end dates.
Independent institutions frequently extend breaks by several days or adjust start dates to accommodate staff development. The private schools guide indicates winter holidays for independent schools may run 4–19 July and spring holidays 26 September–11 October, contrasting with public dates.
While public school dates remain uniform across Canberra, private and Catholic schools operate with autonomous calendars. Families enrolled in non-government schools must consult individual school websites rather than assuming alignment with the public schedule.
Where can I find the official ACT school holidays calendar for 2025?
The ACT Education Directorate publishes term dates through the ACT Government website, though specific 2025 PDF calendars may require direct enquiry. For immediate reference, printable calendar formats are available through third-party aggregators that compile official data.
Catholic families can access the comprehensive CECG 2025 term dates PDF via participating school websites. Studiosity provides a monthly key dates view for cross-referencing holidays against academic deadlines.
While no universal ACT government PDF for 2025 was available in indexed sources at time of publication, the ACT School Holidays portal maintains updated term and holiday information suitable for digital calendar imports.
When do ACT schools start and finish each term in 2025?
- : New students commence Term 1 (public)
- : Continuing students return for Term 1
- : Term 1 concludes
- : Term 2 begins (all students)
- : Term 2 concludes
- : Term 3 begins
- : Term 3 concludes
- : Term 4 begins
- : Final day of school year
Which ACT school holiday dates are confirmed and which remain variable?
| Confirmed Information | Uncertain or Variable |
|---|---|
| Public school term dates (all four terms) | Exact pupil-free days for individual public schools |
| Four holiday periods (autumn, winter, spring, summer) | Private school start/end variations (±1-2 days) |
| 17-day duration for autumn, winter, spring breaks | Specific summer holiday return dates for 2026 (early Feb TBC) |
| Canberra Day, Easter, Anzac Day placements | Additional teacher-only days at independent schools |
How do public holidays interact with the ACT school calendar in 2025?
The 2025 calendar positions several public holidays strategically within or adjacent to school breaks. Easter falls entirely within the autumn holidays, preventing disruption to term time. Anzac Day on 25 April creates a Friday bridge between the end of holidays and the Tuesday start of Term 2, effectively extending the break for families. For information on school holidays in other regions, you can consult the Calendario escolar Cantabria 2026. Calendario escolar Cantabria 2026
Winter term includes Reconciliation Day on 2 June and King’s Birthday on 9 June, both Mondays that break up the mid-year period. The spring holiday encompasses Labour Day on 6 October, while the summer break captures Christmas and Boxing Day. Holiday period analyses suggest this alignment reduces mid-term absences and supports consistent learning blocks.
What authoritative sources confirm these dates?
Term 1: Teachers commence 3 February (Pupil Free Day). Students commence 4 February. Concludes 10 April.
— Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn 2025 Calendar
Autumn Holidays: Saturday, 12 April 2025 to Monday, 28 April 2025 (17 days).
— ACT School Holidays 2025
What are the key takeaways for ACT school holidays in 2025?
The 2025 ACT school calendar delivers four ten-week terms punctuated by three 17-day breaks and one extended summer holiday. Public schools maintain uniform dates across Canberra, while private institutions require individual verification. Families planning travel or Federal Election Australia 2025 Timeline activities should note the strategic placement of public holidays within these periods.
What are the pupil-free days in ACT for 2025?
Teachers typically return one day before students for planning. Catholic schools have specific pupil-free days on 3 February, 28 April, 21 July, and 13 October. Public school pupil-free dates vary by institution and require checking with individual schools.
How do ACT school holidays compare to NSW?
ACT and NSW generally align closely, though NSW often starts Term 1 slightly earlier. Both states share Easter and July holiday periods, but exact dates may differ by several days, affecting families with children in both jurisdictions.
Are ACT school holidays the same for all students?
Public school students follow identical dates. Private, Catholic, and independent school students may have different start and end dates, plus additional pupil-free days. New public school students start one day earlier than continuing students in Term 1.
When is the last day of Term 4 2025?
Public schools finish on Thursday, 18 December 2025. Catholic primary students conclude on 18 December, with 19 December designated as a pupil-free day for staff.
How many weeks are school terms in ACT 2025?
Each of the four terms runs for exactly ten weeks duration, creating a consistent academic rhythm throughout the year.
When does school go back in ACT Term 2 2025?
All students return on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, following the Anzac Day public holiday on 25 April and the conclusion of autumn holidays on 28 April.
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