Planning around school holidays and term dates is essential for families in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Whether you’re scheduling vacations, extracurricular activities, or preparing for academic success, knowing when school starts and ends can make a big difference.
According to the ACT Government, term dates and school holidays are set each year to ensure an optimal balance of learning and rest. For 2024 and 2025, it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest schedules.
Below, we provide a comprehensive guide on ACT school holidays, term dates, and public holidays, so you can plan effectively for the year ahead.
2024 ACT School Holidays
The ACT school holidays in 2024 are spread throughout the year, providing students and families with regular breaks. Here’s a breakdown of key holiday periods:
School Holiday | Dates |
Summer Break | Monday, 18 December 2023 – Monday, 29 January 2024 |
Autumn Break | Saturday, 13 April 2024 – Sunday, 28 April 2024 |
Winter Break | Saturday, 6 July 2024 – Sunday, 21 July 2024 |
Spring Break | Saturday, 28 September 2024 – Sunday, 13 October 2024 |
2025 ACT School Holidays
Similar to 2024, the 2025 holidays allow families to rest, recharge, and travel. These are the key dates to note for the year:
School Holiday | Dates |
Summer Break | Monday, 16 December 2024 – Monday, 27 January 2025 |
Autumn Break | Saturday, 12 April 2025 – Sunday, 27 April 2025 |
Winter Break | Saturday, 5 July 2025 – Sunday, 20 July 2025 |
Spring Break | Saturday, 27 September 2025 – Sunday, 12 October 2025 |
2024 ACT School Term Dates
The 2024 school term dates are essential for planning the academic year. Here’s a breakdown of the terms:
Term Number | Dates |
Term 1 | Tuesday, 30 January 2024 – Friday, 12 April 2024 |
Term 2 | Monday, 29 April 2024 – Friday, 5 July 2024 |
Term 3 | Monday, 22 July 2024 – Friday, 27 September 2024 |
Term 4 | Monday, 14 October 2024 – Friday, 13 December 2024 |
2025 ACT School Term Dates
Planning for 2025? Here’s what you need to know for the school term dates:
Term Number | Dates |
Term 1 | Tuesday, 28 January 2025 – Friday, 11 April 2025 |
Term 2 | Monday, 28 April 2025 – Friday, 4 July 2025 |
Term 3 | Monday, 21 July 2025 – Friday, 26 September 2025 |
Term 4 | Monday, 13 October 2025 – Friday, 12 December 2025 |
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2024 ACT Public Holidays
The ACT has several public holidays that coincide with school breaks and term times. Here’s a list of key public holidays for 2024:
Public Holiday | Dates |
New Year’s Day | Monday, 1 January 2024 |
Australia Day | Friday, 26, January 2024 |
Canberra day | Monday, 11 March 2024 |
Good Friday | Friday, 29 March 2024 |
Easter Monday | Monday, 1 April 2024 |
Anzac Day | Thursday, 25 April 2024 |
Queen’s Birthday | Monday, 10 June 2024 |
Labour Day | Monday, 7 October 2024 |
Christmas Day | Wednesday, 25 December 2024 |
Boxing Day | Thursday, 26 December 2024 |
2025 ACT Public Holidays
Below are the public holidays for 2025, which can affect school schedules and vacation planning:
Public Holiday | Dates |
New Year’s Day | Wednesday, 1 January 2025 |
Australia Day | Monday, 27, January 2025 |
Canberra day | Monday, 10 March 2025 |
Good Friday | Friday, 18 April 2025 |
Easter Monday | Monday, 21 April 2025 |
Anzac Day | Friday, 25 April 2025 |
Queen’s Birthday | Monday, 9 June 2025 |
Labour Day | Monday, 6 October 2025 |
Christmas Day | Thursday, 25 December 2025 |
Boxing Day | Friday, 26 December 2025 |
For more information on school holidays across Australia, check out our comprehensive blog on Australia School Holidays and Term Dates.
Dr. Study Tutoring: Your Holiday Learning Partner
While school holidays provide a much-needed break for students, they can also lead to a significant loss of knowledge, often called the “summer slide” or “holiday learning loss.” Research indicates that students unlearn faster than they learn, making it imperative to engage in continuous learning activities even during breaks.
Here’s how Dr. Study Tutoring can be your partner in educational fun throughout the holidays:
- Comprehensive Learning Resources: Offering a wide range of educational materials tailored for holiday learning, Dr. Study Tutoring provides access to subjects across the curriculum, including maths, science, reading, and writing.
- Interactive Lessons: Engaging students with interactive and multimedia-rich lessons, these lessons use videos, animations, and interactive exercises to make learning enjoyable and effective.
- Fun Quizzes and Assessments: Including fun quizzes to reinforce learning and assess knowledge retention, these provide instant feedback to help students understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
- Engaging Projects and Activities: Encouraging creativity and critical thinking through project-based learning, Dr. Study Tutoring offers hands-on activities that relate to real-world applications of knowledge.
- Personalised Learning Experience: Adapting to the individual learning pace and style of each student, Dr. Study Tutoring provides personalised recommendations to address specific learning needs and gaps.
- Supportive Learning Environment: Creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere for learning, it also provides access to virtual tutoring and mentoring sessions if needed, helping students feel motivated and supported in their academic journey.
- Preparation for the New School Year: Ensuring students stay academically active and prepared for the upcoming school term, Dr. Study Tutoring reduces the anxiety and stress of transitioning back to school after a long break.
By incorporating Dr. Study Tutoring into holiday routines, students can enjoy their break while staying intellectually engaged. This balanced approach not only prevents the summer slide but also fosters a lifelong love for learning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let’s go over some frequently asked questions by parents on the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) schools term dates, school and public holidays for years 2024 and 2025:
1: When do ACT schools go back in 2024?
ACT public schools are set to return on Tuesday, 30 January 2024. The summer break typically spans six weeks, offering students time for rest and preparation for the new academic year.
According to the ACT Education Directorate, this start date aligns with the standard national schedule across Australian states and territories, ensuring consistency in the education calendar.
2: What are the longest school holidays in the ACT?
The summer holidays are the longest break in the ACT school calendar, generally lasting from mid-December until late January. In 2024, the break will extend from Monday, 18 December 2023 to Monday, 29 January 2024.
This extended holiday period allows families to plan vacations and engage in recreational activities, while schools prepare for the upcoming academic year.
3: How many terms are there in the ACT school calendar, and how long do they last?
The ACT school year is divided into four terms, each lasting approximately 10 weeks. These terms provide structured periods of learning, with short breaks in between to allow for student and teacher recovery.
The term structure, as mandated by the ACT Education Directorate, aligns with other Australian states, ensuring national consistency in the number of teaching weeks, with approximately 40 weeks of schooling per year.
Conclusion
Understanding the ACT school holidays, term dates, and public holidays for 2024 and 2025 helps parents and students plan effectively. Whether you’re organising family holidays or making sure your child stays ahead academically, keeping track of these dates is key to a smooth school year.
Book a free online assessment with Dr. Study Tutoring today to help your child stay on track during school terms and holiday breaks!