New South Wales School Term Dates Plus NSW School Holidays

Are you looking for the NSW school terms dates and what to know when the NSW school holidays start? Don’t leave it to the last minute to find out. Now is the perfect time to start creating your NSW school holiday calendar and to stay on top of important dates in the nsw school holidays 2023 and 2024.

Whether you’re planning an exciting getaway for the NSW school holidays or just want to know when the school terms in NSW will be, you’ve come to the right place. This article will help you get organised for the school year by providing a list of dates for the school holidays in NSW for 2023 and 2024.

If you are looking for school holiday activities to do with your kids in New South Wales, then we have compiled articles about what is going on for each set of school holidays across New South Wales.You can find things to do in the NSW school terms holidays here:

If you are looking for school holiday programs in Sydney where your kids can stay all day/week/holiday, then we have that too!

Why do state schools and private schools have different holidays?

State and private schools often have a completely different set of NSW school holidays dates, particularly over the summer months – though have you ever wondered why?

The NSW Department of Education sets all the NSW school terms and holiday dates for public schools focused on keeping each of the 4 terms as even as possible – aiming for a 10-week term. Though, sometimes this isn’t possible due to where Easter falls in the calendar year.

However, the process is a little different for private schools. Independent or catholic schools set their school holidays based on these state school holiday dates – although, between each private school, the school holiday dates can often differ.

Term dates NSW school holidays 2023

Before the school year starts for 2023, remember to research an Independent or Catholic school’s school holiday dates just to be sure.

kids having fun in the school holidays

NSW school terms dates 2023 – public schools

Here are the 2023 school holidays NSW for public schools:

Term DateLength
Term 1 (Eastern Division)Friday 27 January to Thursday 6 April10 weeks
Term 1 (Western Division)Friday 3 February to Thursday 6 April9 weeks
Term 2Monday 24 April to Friday 30 June10 weeks
Term 3Monday 17 July to Friday 22 September10 weeks
Term 4Monday 9 October to Tuesday 19 December11 weeks

NSW state school holidays 2023

Here are the school holidays 2023 NSW:

Summer school holiday dates:

Wednesday 21 December 2022 to Thursday 26 January 2023 – Eastern Division

Wednesday 21 December 2022 to Thursday 2 February 2023 – Western Division

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:

20 December 2023 (Wednesday) – 27 January 2024 (Thursday) – Eastern Division

20 December 2023 (Wednesday) – 3 February 2024 (Thursday) – Western Division

NSW school term dates 2024 (state schools)

Term Date Length
Term 1 (Eastern Division)Friday 28 January- Friday 8 April10 weeks
Term 1 (Western Division)Friday 4 February- Friday 8 April 9 weeks
Term 2Tuesday 26 April – Friday 1 July10 weeks
Term 3Monday 18 July – Friday 23 September10 weeks
Term 4Monday 10 October – Tuesday 20 December 11 weeks

NSW public school holidays dates 2024 – state schools

Summer school holiday dates:

Wednesday 20 December 2023 to Sunday 28 January 2024- Eastern Division

Wednesday 20 December 2023 to Sunday 4 February 2024 – Western Division

Easter school holiday dates:

Monday 15 April to Friday 26 April

Winter school holiday dates:

Monday 8 July to Friday 19 July

Spring school holiday dates:

Monday 30 September to Friday 11 October

Summer school holiday dates:

Monday 23 December to Thursday 30 January 2025 – Eastern Division

Monday 23 December to Thursday 6 February 2025 – Western Division

NSW student free days 2023

School holidays 2023 Sydney and NSW School holidays in NSW aside, parents should also be aware of NSW’s student free days. These days are designed for staff professional development – where the school’s teachers and staff will undergo various activities and cover an assortment of topics relating to the school’s strategic direction, code of conduct, fire training, and more. For parents and students of the school, this means that children aren’t required to attend on student free days.

Instead of being caught off-guard, here’s a list of the student free dates for NSW schools in 2023.

  • 27 & 30 January (Friday & Monday) – Eastern Division
  • 3 & 6 February (Friday & Monday)) – Western Division
  • 24 April (Tuesday)
  • 17 July (Monday)
  • 18 & 19 December (Monday & Tuesday)

Private school holidays 2023

When comparing private and state schools, the main difference between these institutions is that private schools are independent. This means that they aren’t under any state or national governments, and are privately funded – which can influence their school holiday dates.

Despite being managed separately, independent or Catholic schools set their dates based on the public school holidays, but there are often a few minor variations.

As each private school is managed separately, dates will likely vary between different institutions. Before adding any of these dates to your NSW school holidays calendar, remember to check your children’s private school for their set of private school holidays NSW 2023 dates.

Here are the NSW school holiday dates for private schools in 2023.

NSW private school term dates 2023

Here are the 2023 school holidays NSW for private schools:

Term DateLength
Term 1 (Eastern Division)Friday 27 January to Thursday 6 April10 weeks
Term 1 (Western Division)Friday 3 February to Thursday 6 April9 weeks
Term 2Monday 24 April to Friday 30 June10 weeks
Term 3Monday 17 July to Friday 22 September10 weeks
Term 4Monday 9 October to Tuesday 19 December11 weeks

NSW school holidays dates 2023 – private schools

Here are the private school holidays NSW 2023:

Summer school holiday dates:

Wednesday 21 December 2022 to Thursday 26 January 2023 – Eastern Division

Wednesday 21 December 2022 to Thursday 2 February 2023 – Western Division

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:

20 December 2023 (Wednesday) – 27 January 2024 (Thursday) – Eastern Division

20 December 2023 (Wednesday) – 3 February 2024 (Thursday) – Western Division

NSW public holidays

Other than student free days and school holidays in NSW, there’s also an assortment of 2023 public holidays where kids won’t be required to attend school.

National or public holidays are created by Australia law and are based around a holiday, event, or historic occasion. Some common NSW public holidays include Australia Day, Easter Monday, and the Queen’s Birthday. As a result, these dates and more are designated as school-free days, and non-working days for adults.

Pubic holidays can occasionally vary from state to state in Australia, though here are some 2023 NSW public holidays to include in your NSW school holiday calendar.

NSW public holidays 2023

  • New Year’s Day – 1 & 2 January (Sunday & Monday)
  • Australia Day – 26 January (Thursday)
  • Good Friday – 7 April (Friday)
  • Easter Saturday – 8 April (Saturday)
  • Easter Sunday – 9 April (Sunday)
  • Easter Monday – 10 April (Monday)
  • Anzac Day – 25 April (Tuesday)
  • King’s Birthday – 12 June (Monday)
  • Bank Holiday – 7 August (Monday)
  • Labour Day – 2 October (Monday)
  • Christmas – 25 December (Monday)
  • Boxing Day – 26 December (Tuesday)

With these school holiday dates, student free dates, and public holiday dates on your NSW school holiday calendar, you’ll never wonder if the kids should be at school today. Not to mention, you’ll also be able to prep some exciting activities to keep the children entertained throughout the holidays.

Find school holiday dates for each Australian state here.