Planning family holidays around the school calendar can feel like a puzzle. For Victorian families in 2025, the official term dates are now locked in, offering a clear picture of when school is on and when it’s not. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 school holidays, breaks, and how they align with public holidays.

4 related posts

Number of school terms in 2025: 4 ·
First day of Term 1: 29 January 2025 (students) ·
Last day of Term 4: 19 December 2025 ·
Total school days (approx.): 200 ·
Official source: Victorian Government (official school dates)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • 2026–2030 term dates already approved (Victorian Government)
  • Printable PDF calendars from government sites (Victorian Government)

Six key facts stand out: the school year comprises four terms, the first student day is 29 January 2025, the last day is 19 December 2025, three public holidays fall during term time, the summer break is the longest at 39 days, and the autumn break is the shortest at 16 days.

Fact Details
Number of terms 4
First day of school (Term 1) 29 January 2025 (Victorian Government)
Last day of school (Term 4) 19 December 2025 (Victorian Government)
Public holidays during term time Labour Day (10 Mar), King’s Birthday (9 Jun), Melbourne Cup (4 Nov)
Longest break Summer break (39 days) (Tourism Australia)
Shortest break Autumn break (16 days)

What are the dates for Victorian school holidays in 2025?

The four official holiday periods for Victorian government schools are set by the Victorian Government (state education authority). Here’s each break with exact dates.

Summer break 2025/2026 dates

  • Summer holidays begin 20 December 2025 and end 27 January 2026 (Victorian Government)
  • Includes Christmas and New Year period

Autumn break 2025 dates

  • Autumn break runs from 5 April to 21 April 2025 (Victorian Government)
  • Overlaps with Easter public holidays (Out and About with Kids)

Winter break 2025 dates

  • Winter holidays: 5 July to 20 July 2025 (Victorian Government)

Spring break 2025 dates

  • Spring holidays: 20 September to 5 October 2025 (Victorian Government)
Bottom line: Victorian families get four breaks of varying lengths. The summer break is the longest at 39 days, while the autumn break is a short 16 days but often coincides with Easter. Plan around public holidays within terms to maximise time off.

What are the term dates for Vic schools in 2025?

Each term has a specific start and end date. Below are the official dates from the Victorian Government (school calendar authority).

Term 1: 28 January – 4 April 2025

  • Teachers return 28 January; students start 29 January (Victorian Government)

Term 2: 22 April – 27 June 2025

  • Term 2 begins Tuesday 22 April (Victorian Government)
  • Ends Friday 27 June

Term 3: 14 July – 19 September 2025

  • Term 3 begins Monday 14 July (Victorian Government)
  • Ends Friday 19 September

Term 4: 6 October – 19 December 2025

  • Term 4 begins Monday 6 October (Victorian Government)
  • Ends Friday 19 December
Why this matters

Term 1 begins unusually early for students (29 Jan). Parents should confirm school-specific start dates, especially for preparatory years.

What date do the September school holidays start in Victoria?

The spring break is a key period for many families. According to the Victorian Government (official school calendar), the dates are fixed.

Spring holiday period

  • First day of spring break: Saturday 20 September 2025 (Victorian Government)
  • Last day: Sunday 5 October 2025
  • School resumes Monday 6 October (Term 4) (Victorian Government)
The catch

The spring break ends on a Sunday, and Term 4 starts the very next day – no extra buffer. Plan long weekends around Melbourne Cup Day (4 November) for more downtime.

How long are the summer holidays in Victoria schools in 2025?

The summer break is the longest stretch of time off. The Tourism Australia (national tourism authority) lists the same dates as the government.

Length of summer break 2025/2026

  • Last day of school before summer: Friday 19 December 2025 (Victorian Government)
  • First day of Term 1 2026: Tuesday 27 January 2026 (Victorian Government)
  • Total duration: 39 days (20 Dec 2025 – 27 Jan 2026)
What to watch

With 39 consecutive days off, holiday programs and child-care bookings fill quickly. Book early if you need supervision during the break.

What public holidays fall during Victorian school terms in 2025?

Public holidays in Victoria are established by legislation. The Victorian Department of Education (policy arm) lists which holidays are observed during school terms.

Labour Day – 10 March 2025 (Term 1)

  • Labour Day is a public holiday on Monday 10 March (Victorian Department of Education policy)
  • Schools closed; falls in Term 1

Easter public holidays – April 2025 (overlap with autumn break)

  • Good Friday (18 April) and Easter Monday (21 April) fall within the autumn break (Out and About with Kids)
  • Students already on holidays; no additional day off

King’s Birthday – 9 June 2025 (Term 2)

  • King’s Birthday observed on Monday 9 June (Victorian Department of Education policy)
  • Schools closed; falls in Term 2

Melbourne Cup – 4 November 2025 (Term 4)

  • Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday in Victoria on Tuesday 4 November (Victorian Department of Education policy)
  • Schools closed; falls in Term 4
The upshot

Families get three guaranteed long weekends during school terms (Labour Day, King’s Birthday, Melbourne Cup). Plan trips around these for maximum time off without dipping into holidays.

2025 Victorian school term and holiday timeline

  • 28 Jan – 4 Apr 2025: Term 1
  • 4 Apr – 20 Apr 2025: Autumn holidays
  • 22 Apr – 27 Jun 2025: Term 2
  • 28 Jun – 13 Jul 2025: Winter holidays
  • 14 Jul – 19 Sep 2025: Term 3
  • 20 Sep – 5 Oct 2025: Spring holidays
  • 6 Oct – 19 Dec 2025: Term 4
  • 20 Dec 2025 – 27 Jan 2026: Summer holidays
Bottom line: The calendar is symmetrical: each term is roughly 10–11 weeks long, with a two-week break after each term except summer (six weeks). The pattern holds across all years from 2021–2030.

What’s confirmed and what’s not

Confirmed facts

  • Government school term dates as published by the Victorian Government
  • Public holiday dates set by Victoria’s legislation (Department of Education policy)
  • 2026–2030 term dates already approved (Victorian Government)

What’s unclear

  • Independent and Catholic schools may follow different holiday schedules (Out and About with Kids)
  • Regional councils may swap Melbourne Cup Day for an alternative date (Victorian Department of Education policy)

What the authorities say

“Term 1: Tuesday 28 January (students start Wednesday 29 January in government schools) – Friday 4 April.”

— Victorian Government (official school dates page)

“Public holidays on which schools are not open include New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Labour Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, ANZAC Day, the sovereign’s birthday, AFL Grand Final Friday, Melbourne Cup Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.”

— Victorian Department of Education (school dates policy)

Planning your 2025 school year

The 2025 Victorian school calendar is now set, giving families a solid foundation for planning holidays and activities. For parents in Victoria, the implication is clear: book summer holiday care early, use the three public holiday long weekends for short breaks, and always double-check with your child’s specific school – especially if it’s non-government – because independent schedules may vary. The catch: relying solely on government dates without verifying with the school could leave you out of sync with your child’s actual term ends.

Additional sources

studiosity.com, studiosity.com, guides.slv.vic.gov.au, privateschoolsguide.com

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Frequently asked questions

Are Victorian school holidays the same for all schools?

No. While government schools follow the dates published by the Victorian Government, independent and Catholic schools may set their own calendars. Always confirm with your school.

What are the 2025 school holiday dates for private schools in Victoria?

Private schools in Victoria set their own holiday dates. They often align closely with government dates but may differ by a few days – especially for autumn and spring breaks. Check your school’s website.

Do Victorian school holidays include public holidays?

Public holidays that fall on school days (Labour Day, King’s Birthday, Melbourne Cup) are observed as holidays. Dates like Easter and Christmas fall within scheduled breaks. The Department of Education policy lists all holidays observed.

How many school days are there in each term in 2025?

Each term has roughly 50–55 school days. Exact counts vary slightly due to public holidays. The total for the year is approximately 200 school days.

When do Victorian school holidays start in December 2025?

Summer holidays begin on 20 December 2025, the day after Term 4 ends (19 December). Students finish on Friday 19 December.

Can I get a downloadable calendar of Victorian school holidays 2025?

Yes. The Victorian Government provides a printable PDF calendar for 2025 term dates and holidays.

What is the date of the last day of school before the 2025 summer break?

The last day of Term 4 – and therefore the last day of school before the 2025 summer break – is Friday 19 December 2025.

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