Many parents, students, and teachers are asking the same question: Is it still school holidays in Victoria? The answer is no. The winter school holidays have officially ended, and students across Victorian government schools are back in classrooms for Term 3.
Whether you’re planning a family trip, organising childcare, or checking the school calendar, knowing the official dates can help you stay prepared. Here’s everything you need to know about Victoria’s current school term and the remaining holiday schedule for 2026.
Current Status
As of July 2026, Victorian government schools have resumed classes after the mid-year winter break.
The school holidays concluded on Sunday, 12 July 2026, with Term 3 beginning on Monday, 13 July 2026. Students across primary, secondary, and specialist government schools have now returned to their regular learning schedule.
If you’re wondering whether children are still on holiday in Victoria, the answer is straightforward—they are back at school.
Winter Break
The winter holidays are one of the shortest breaks in the Victorian school calendar. They provide students and teachers with an opportunity to recharge before the second half of the academic year begins.
Families often use this period for domestic travel, visiting relatives, participating in winter sports, or simply enjoying time together. Once the holidays finish, schools quickly return to their normal timetable.
Since Term 3 has already started, most educational activities, extracurricular programs, and school events are operating as usual.
Term 3 Dates
The official dates for Term 3 in Victorian government schools are:
- Starts: Monday, 13 July 2026
- Ends: Friday, 18 September 2026
During this period, students continue with regular classroom learning, assessments, sporting competitions, music programs, and various school activities.
For many senior secondary students, Term 3 is particularly important as preparations for end-of-year examinations begin.
Next Holidays
Although the winter holidays are over, families won’t have to wait too long for the next school break.
The Spring Holidays are scheduled from:
- Saturday, 19 September 2026
- Sunday, 4 October 2026
Students will enjoy just over two weeks away from school before returning for the final academic term of the year.
These holidays are popular for family getaways, camping trips, outdoor activities, and interstate travel as the weather becomes warmer.
Term 4
Following the spring break, Victorian government schools will begin the final term of the academic year.
Term 4 runs from:
- Monday, 5 October 2026
- Friday, 18 December 2026
This is one of the busiest periods for schools. Students complete final assessments, attend school concerts, participate in graduation ceremonies, enjoy sports carnivals, and take part in end-of-year celebrations.
For Year 12 students, this term includes important examinations and graduation milestones.
Summer Holidays
Once Term 4 concludes, students begin the long summer break.
The 2026 summer holidays start on Saturday, 19 December 2026.
This is the longest school holiday of the year and allows families to plan extended vacations during Australia’s summer season. Beaches, regional destinations, national parks, and holiday resorts typically experience increased visitor numbers throughout this period.
Students return to school in early 2027 according to the following year’s education calendar.
Different School Systems
While these dates apply to Victorian government schools, families should remember that not every school follows exactly the same calendar.
Independent schools and Catholic schools generally align closely with government term dates, but there can be slight differences depending on each school’s individual schedule.
Some schools may finish a day earlier, begin a term on a different date, or adjust pupil-free days for staff development.
For this reason, parents should always confirm holiday dates directly with their child’s school before making travel or childcare arrangements.
Planning Ahead
Knowing the remaining school calendar makes it easier to organise family commitments throughout the year.
Parents often schedule annual leave around school holidays, while holiday programs and vacation care services can book out quickly during peak periods.
Booking accommodation and transport well in advance for the spring or summer holidays can also help families secure better prices and more availability.
Students can benefit by using upcoming breaks to relax while also preparing for important assignments and assessments scheduled later in the year.
Helpful Tips
As schools are now back in session, families can make the transition smoother by re-establishing regular routines.
Getting children back into consistent sleep schedules, preparing school lunches the night before, checking uniforms, and organising school bags can help reduce stress during the first weeks of the term.
It’s also a good time to review school newsletters, update calendars with important events, and note upcoming assessment dates, excursions, and parent-teacher meetings.
Final Answer
If you’re searching online and asking, “Is it still school holidays in Victoria?”, the current answer is no.
Victorian government schools officially returned for Term 3 on Monday, 13 July 2026, after the winter holidays ended on Sunday, 12 July 2026. Students are now back in classrooms, and schools have resumed their regular academic programs.
Looking ahead, families can plan for the Spring Holidays from 19 September to 4 October 2026, followed by Term 4, which concludes on 18 December 2026. The long summer holidays then begin on 19 December, marking the end of another school year.
Keeping track of these dates helps parents, students, and teachers plan travel, childcare, study schedules, and family activities with confidence throughout the remainder of 2026.
