VIC School Holidays 2027: Key Term Dates Guide

Victorian government schools have four terms in 2027, with holidays in autumn, winter and spring, and a longer summer break at each end of the school year. This guide lists every 2027 term date, holiday period and public holiday so you can plan travel, childcare and study ahead of time.

Victorian government school term dates are approved by the Minister for Education in five-year blocks, so the 2027 dates are already confirmed. You can check them on the Victorian Department of Education website before you book anything.

VIC School Holidays 2027 at a Glance

The table below lists the 2027 term and holiday dates for Victorian government schools.

Quick-reference table of all term and holiday dates

These are the confirmed 2027 term dates for Victorian government schools, as published by the Victorian Department of Education. Catholic schools generally follow the same dates, but independent schools often set their own, so check your school’s calendar too.

Are these dates confirmed by the Victorian Department of Education?

Yes. Term dates for government schools are set centrally by the Victorian Department of Education, so every Victorian government school has the same term start and end dates.

Before you book, we suggest you do the following.

• Check the Department of Education’s official term dates page.
• Check your own school’s calendar for curriculum days and any differences from the government dates.
• Avoid unofficial calendars or apps that may not have been updated for 2027.

VIC Term Dates 2027

Here are the confirmed dates for each term in 2027.

Term 1 2027 dates

Term 1 starts on Wednesday 27 January and finishes on Thursday 25 March. Students in government schools start on Thursday 28 January, two days after the Australia Day public holiday. At around nine weeks, it is the shortest term of the year, and it finishes the day before Good Friday.

Term 2 2027 dates

Term 2 runs from Monday 12 April, after the autumn holidays, to Friday 25 June. It is 11 weeks long and includes the King’s Birthday public holiday on Monday 14 June.

Term 3 2027 dates

Term 3 runs from Monday 12 July to Friday 17 September, a total of 10 weeks. For Year 12 VCE students, this is usually when Unit 4 SACs and school trial exams take place.

Term 4 2027 dates

Term 4 runs from Monday 4 October to Friday 17 December, a total of 11 weeks. The VCE written exams are held during Term 4, usually from late October to mid-November. Check the VCAA website for the 2027 VCE exam timetable. Our guide to the VCE exam timetable in 2026 shows how the exam period is usually set out.

VIC School Holiday Periods 2027

Holiday dates change slightly each year, so check the dates for each break rather than assuming they match last year’s.

Summer holidays (end of 2026 into 2027)

The summer holidays run from Monday 21 December 2026 to Wednesday 27 January 2027, and government school students return on Thursday 28 January. This is the longest break of the year and the busiest time for travel, so flights and accommodation book out early.

Autumn/April holidays

The autumn holidays run from Friday 26 March (Good Friday) to Sunday 11 April, a little over two weeks. The Easter long weekend falls at the start of the break.

Winter/July holidays

The winter holidays run from Saturday 26 June to Sunday 11 July. This two-week break is a popular time for snow trips and travel to warmer parts of Australia.

Spring/September to October holidays

The spring holidays run from Saturday 18 September to Sunday 3 October. The Friday before the AFL Grand Final public holiday usually falls in this break.

Summer holidays (end of 2027)

The summer holidays begin on Saturday 18 December 2027, after Term 4 finishes, and run to Thursday 27 January 2028. Government school students return on Friday 28 January 2028.

Public Holidays and Pupil-Free Days Affecting the School Calendar

Victorian public holidays in 2027

These Victorian public holidays fall during or next to the 2027 school terms.

• Labour Day is on Monday 8 March 2027 (Term 1).
• Good Friday is on Friday 26 March 2027, the first day of the autumn holidays.
• Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday fall from 27 to 29 March 2027, during the autumn holidays.
• Anzac Day is on Sunday 25 April 2027. Victoria does not add a substitute weekday holiday.
• King’s Birthday is on Monday 14 June 2027 (Term 2).
• The Friday before the AFL Grand Final is a public holiday. The date is yet to be confirmed, but it usually falls in late September during the spring holidays.
• Melbourne Cup Day is on Tuesday 2 November 2027 (Term 4). It is a public holiday across Victoria unless your local council has arranged a different local holiday.

Each public holiday that falls during term means one fewer school day that week. For the official list, see Victorian public holidays for 2027.

What are curriculum days, and how do they differ between schools?

Curriculum days (also called pupil-free or student-free days) are days when students don’t attend school so staff can work on professional learning, planning or reporting. Each school chooses its own curriculum days within Department of Education guidelines, so they differ between schools. Check your own school’s calendar rather than relying on another school’s dates.

Government vs Independent and Catholic School Calendars

Do private and Catholic schools follow the same dates?

Not always. Most Victorian Catholic schools follow the government term dates, with their own curriculum days. Independent schools set their own calendars, and their terms can start or finish days or even weeks apart from government schools. This matters if your children attend different schools or you’re planning travel.

How to check your school’s calendar

• Check your school’s website or parent portal for its 2027 calendar.
• Contact the school office if the calendar hasn’t been published yet.
• Check curriculum days separately, as these differ from school to school.

How VIC School Holidays 2027 Compare to Other States

Each Australian state and territory sets its own school term dates. If you have family interstate or are planning interstate travel, compare Victoria’s dates with the other state’s calendar, such as our guide to NSW school holidays 2027. Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, the ACT, the Northern Territory and Tasmania publish their own dates, so check the relevant state’s official calendar before you book.

Planning Ahead for VIC School Holidays 2027

Booking family holidays around term breaks

Flights and accommodation are usually most expensive during the summer holidays and over Easter. Booking as early as you can gives you more choice and better prices.

Childcare and OSHC (outside school hours care) during the holidays

Vacation care and holiday programs fill quickly, especially in the summer and winter holidays. Many providers open bookings weeks or months ahead, and popular sport, art and STEM programs often book out before the holidays begin.

Tips for saving on travel during school holidays

• Book flights and accommodation as early as you can, especially for the summer holidays.
• Consider destinations outside the main tourist areas.
• If your work is flexible, travelling just before or after the holidays can cost less, but check your school’s attendance policy first.

Why Term Dates Matter for VCE Students

For VCE students, the school holidays are a good time to revise and prepare for the next term’s SACs and exams. Matrix runs VCE holiday courses for Year 11 and 12 students in English, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The next holiday programs start on 11 January 2027. If you’re planning study around the 2027 calendar, our guide to creating a VCE study timetable can help.