When exactly are the ACT term dates and when do the act school holidays start? Whether it’s school holidays, public holidays or student-free days, don’t wait until the last minute to find out when the next school-free day is.
Whether you’re planning a family escape for the school holidays ACT or just want to know when the kids will be at school during term time, you’ve come to the right place. This article will provide a list of school holiday dates for both 2023 and 2024 in the ACT.
If you are looking for school holiday activities to do with your kids in the ACT, then we have compiled articles about what is going on for each set of school holidays across the Australian Capital Territory. You can find them here:
If you are heading to another capital city these school holidays, check out these articles:
- Melbourne school holiday activities
- Sydney school holiday activities
- Gold Coast school holiday activities
- Brisbane school holiday activities
- Adelaide school holiday activities
- Perth school holiday activities
Why do state schools and private schools have different holidays?
Have you ever noticed that state and private schools often have a slightly different set of school holidays ACT throughout the year, particularly in summer?
For all state schools in the territory, the ACT Government sets all of the school terms and holiday dates – focusing on keeping all 4 terms as even as possible, spanning over roughly 10 weeks.
The process is slightly different for private schools. Independent and Catholic schools set their school holiday dates, but base them around the state school holiday dates – though, between each private school, the holiday dates are bound to have small variations.
Before the 2023 school year starts, remember to research the independent or Catholic school holidays ACT dates prior to adding them to your school holiday calendar, just to be safe.
ACT state school term dates 2023
| Term | Date | Length |
| Term 1 | Tuesday 31 January – Thursday 6 April | 10 weeks |
| Term 2 | Monday 24 April – Friday 30 June | 10 weeks |
| Term 3 | Monday 17 July – Friday 22 September | 10 weeks |
| Term 4 | Monday 9 October – Friday 15 December | 10 weeks |
Australian Capital Territory state school holidays 2023
Summer school holiday dates:
17 December 2022 (Saturday) – 30 January 2023 (Monday)
Easter school holiday dates:
7 April (Friday) – 23 April (Sunday)
Winter school holiday dates:
1 July (Saturday) – 16 July (Sunday)
Spring school holiday dates:
23 September (Saturday) – 8 October (Sunday)
Summer school holiday dates:
16 December 2023 (Saturday) – 29 January 2024 (Monday)
ACT state school term dates 2024
| Term | Date | Length |
| Term 1 | Tuesday 30 January – Friday 12 April | 10 weeks |
| Term 2 | Tuesday 30 April – Friday 5 July | 10 weeks |
| Term 3 | Tuesday 23 July – Friday 27 September | 10 weeks |
| Term 4 | Tuesday 15 October – Tuesday 17 December | 10 weeks |
Australian Capital Territory state school holidays 2024
Summer school holiday dates:
17 December 2023 (Saturday) – 29 January 2024 (Monday)
Easter school holiday dates:
13 April (Saturday) – 28 April (Sunday)
Winter school holiday dates:
6 July (Saturday) – 21 July (Sunday)
Spring school holiday dates:
28 September (Saturday) – 13 October (Sunday)
Summer school holiday dates:
18 December 2024 (Wednesday) – 3 February 2025 (Monday)
Private schools (Catholic and Independent schools holidays)
A private school can be very different from a state school – with the key distinction being that these independent or catholic schools are operated independently. They aren’t managed by state or national governments and they are privately funded – which can influence the institution’s school holiday dates.
Although private schools are managed individually, independent or catholic schools will set their school holiday dates based around public school holiday dates – with a few minor differences.
As each private school is managed independently, there are bound to be a few small variations in school holiday dates. Before adding any of these school holidays ACT dates to your calendar, be sure to check your children’s private school for a set of their school holiday dates.
Australian Capital Territory school holidays dates 2023 – private schools
Summer school holiday dates:
17 December 2022 (Saturday) – 30 January 2023 (Monday)
Easter school holiday dates:
7 April (Friday) – 23 April (Sunday)
Winter school holiday dates:
1 July (Saturday) – 16 July (Sunday)
Spring school holiday dates:
23 September (Saturday) – 8 October (Sunday)
Summer school holiday dates:
16 December 2023 (Saturday) – 30 January 2024 (Tuesday)
Australian Capital Territory school holidays dates 2024 – private schools
Summer school holiday dates:
17 December 2023 (Saturday) – 29 January 2024 (Monday)
Easter school holiday dates:
13 April (Saturday) – 28 April (Sunday)
Winter school holiday dates:
6 July (Saturday) – 21 July (Sunday)
Spring school holiday dates:
28 September (Saturday) – 13 October (Sunday)
Summer school holiday dates:
18 December 2024 (Wednesday) – 3 February 2025 (Monday)
ACT student free days
The school holidays ACT dates aren’t the only occasion where kids get a day off from school, with student-free days also scattered throughout the year.
A student free day is actually designed for staff professional development. Teachers and other staff members will attend the school on these days and cover topics like the code of conduct, fire training, the school’s strategic direction, and more. For parents, this means that the kids won’t need to attend school on these select days.
Instead of being caught by surprise with an unexpected student-free day, consider getting in touch with your individual school for a list of student free days in 2023.
ACT public holidays
Other than student free days and school holidays ACT dates, you should also keep an eye out for public holidays as they will also grant kids a day off from school.
A public or national holiday is created under Australian law and surrounds a specific holiday, event, or historic occasion. For example, a few familiar public holidays in the ACT include the Queen’s Birthday, Labour Day, Canberra Day, and Australia Day. These dates and more are not only a non-working day for adults but also school-free days for kids.
Public holidays will vary from state to state, though check out the list below for some popular 2023 ACT public holidays to include in your school calendar.
Australian Capital Territory public holidays 2023
- New Year’s Day – 1 January (Sunday)
- New Year’s Day – 2 January (Monday)
- Australia Day – 26 January (Thursday)
- Canberra Day – 13 March (Monday)
- Good Friday – 7 April (Friday)
- Easter Monday – 10 April (Monday)
- Anzac Day – 25 April (Tuesday)
- Reconciliation Day – 29 May (Monday)
- King’s Birthday – 12 June (Monday)
- Labour Day – 2 October (Monday)
- Christmas – 25 December (Monday)
- Boxing Day – 26 December (Tuesday)
With a blend of these public holidays, student-free days, and school holidays ACT dates on your 2023 school calendar, there will be no need to worry whether or not you’re going to be surprised with a school-free day. Plus, with all the time and worry you’ve saved, you’ll be able to focus your attention on planning some exciting school holiday activities to keep the kids entertained.