Looking for the Northern Territory school holiday dates for 2027 or planning even further ahead for 2028? You are in the right place.
As a former teacher and a parent, I know how useful it is to have the school dates mapped out early. Whether you are booking a family trip, organising care or simply working out how many days you need to keep the kids entertained, having the dates in one place makes life much easier.
Below you will find the official Northern Territory government school holiday dates, student term dates and teacher start dates for 2027 and 2028.
Last checked against the Northern Territory Government: 26 September 2026.
- Northern Territory school holidays 2027
- Northern Territory school term dates 2027
- Northern Territory teacher start dates 2027
- Northern Territory school holidays 2028
- Northern Territory school term dates 2028
- Northern Territory teacher start dates 2028
- What about Gunbalanya School?
- Do private and Catholic schools have the same holiday dates?
- Plan your Northern Territory school holidays
- Northern Territory school holiday FAQs
Northern Territory school holidays 2027
| Holiday period | Dates | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn holidays | Saturday 3 April to Monday 12 April 2027 | 10 days |
| Winter holidays | Saturday 19 June to Monday 12 July 2027 | 24 days |
| Spring holidays | Saturday 18 September to Monday 4 October 2027 | 17 days |
| Summer holidays | Friday 10 December 2027 to Monday 24 January 2028 | 46 days |
One thing that stands out about the Northern Territory school calendar is the long winter break. At 24 days in 2027, it gives families more than three weeks away from school in the middle of the year.
Planning activities for the break? Explore our guide to school holiday activities in the Northern Territory, including ideas for Darwin and Alice Springs.
Northern Territory school term dates 2027
These are the official term start and finish dates for students attending Northern Territory government schools.
| Term | Dates | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Wednesday 27 January to Friday 2 April 2027 | 10 weeks |
| Term 2 | Tuesday 13 April to Friday 18 June 2027 | 10 weeks |
| Term 3 | Tuesday 13 July to Friday 17 September 2027 | 10 weeks |
| Term 4 | Tuesday 5 October to Thursday 9 December 2027 | 10 weeks |
Unlike some states, Northern Territory students generally return the day after teachers at the beginning of Terms 2, 3 and 4. Term 1 is slightly different in 2027, with teachers starting on Monday 25 January and students beginning on Wednesday 27 January.
Northern Territory teacher start dates 2027
The Northern Territory Government publishes separate teacher and student start dates. This is particularly useful for parents because the first day of term for teachers is not necessarily the first day students return to school.
| Term | Teachers start | Students start |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Monday 25 January 2027 | Wednesday 27 January 2027 |
| Term 2 | Monday 12 April 2027 | Tuesday 13 April 2027 |
| Term 3 | Monday 12 July 2027 | Tuesday 13 July 2027 |
| Term 4 | Monday 4 October 2027 | Tuesday 5 October 2027 |
Students finish Term 4 on Thursday 9 December 2027, while teachers finish on Friday 10 December 2027.
Planning around student-free days too? Our guide to pupil-free days lists the dates and arrangements for every Australian state and territory.
Northern Territory school holidays 2028
| Holiday period | Dates | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn holidays | Saturday 8 April to Tuesday 18 April 2028 | 11 days |
| Winter holidays | Saturday 24 June to Monday 17 July 2028 | 24 days |
| Spring holidays | Saturday 23 September to Monday 9 October 2028 | 17 days |
| Summer holidays | Friday 15 December 2028 to Monday 29 January 2029 | 46 days |
Again, the winter break is the big one, with NT students having 24 days off school between Terms 2 and 3.
Northern Territory school term dates 2028
| Term | Dates | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Tuesday 25 January to Friday 7 April 2028 | 11 weeks |
| Term 2 | Wednesday 19 April to Friday 23 June 2028 | 10 weeks |
| Term 3 | Tuesday 18 July to Friday 22 September 2028 | 10 weeks |
| Term 4 | Tuesday 10 October to Thursday 14 December 2028 | 10 weeks |
Term 1 is the longer term in 2028, while the remaining three terms each run for approximately 10 weeks.
Northern Territory teacher start dates 2028
| Term | Teachers start | Students start |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Monday 24 January 2028 | Tuesday 25 January 2028 |
| Term 2 | Tuesday 18 April 2028 | Wednesday 19 April 2028 |
| Term 3 | Monday 17 July 2028 | Tuesday 18 July 2028 |
| Term 4 | Monday 9 October 2028 | Tuesday 10 October 2028 |
Students finish the 2028 school year on Thursday 14 December, with teachers finishing on Friday 15 December.
What about Gunbalanya School?
There is an important exception to the standard Northern Territory school calendar.
Gunbalanya School operates on a flexible school year, with its school term dates determined through separate consultations.
If your child attends Gunbalanya School, check the school’s current calendar rather than relying on the standard NT dates above.
Do private and Catholic schools have the same holiday dates?
Not necessarily.
These dates apply to Northern Territory government schools. The NT Government advises families with children attending non-government schools to check their term dates directly with their school.
Catholic and independent schools may have different starting dates, finishing dates or student-free days, so always check your individual school’s calendar before booking travel, accommodation or non-refundable activities.
Plan your Northern Territory school holidays
Planning activities for the break? Explore our guides to school holiday activities to do with your kids in the Northern Territory:
The NT’s longer mid-year school holiday break can be particularly handy for planning family activities or travel, while the shorter autumn break means it is worth checking those dates carefully before making plans.
If you are travelling interstate, remember that school holiday dates vary considerably around Australia. Check our school holiday dates for every Australian state and territory before booking.
Northern Territory school holiday FAQs
Northern Territory government school students begin Term 1 on Wednesday 27 January 2027. Teachers start on Monday 25 January.
Northern Territory government school students begin Term 1 on Tuesday 25 January 2028. Teachers start on Monday 24 January.
The Term 1 school holidays run from Saturday 3 April to Monday 12 April 2027.
The Term 1 school holidays run from Saturday 8 April to Tuesday 18 April 2028.
Northern Territory government school students have a longer mid-year break than families in many other Australian states. The winter school holidays run for 24 days in both 2027 and 2028.
No. Teachers generally return before students at the beginning of each term. The teacher and student start dates for 2027 and 2028 are listed above.
No. These are the dates for most Northern Territory government schools. Non-government schools may use different dates, and Gunbalanya School operates on a flexible school year with dates determined separately.