Student-Free Days
From 2024, there will be 4 student-free days for ACT public schools. These are the first day of each school term.
Student-free days are for staff development, enabling teachers and schools to plan in a student-free environment. Student-free planning days have been expanded from 1 to 4 days from 2024 as part of our new Teaching Staff Enterprise Agreement, which prioritises better teacher workloads for educational leadership, teaching, and learning.
For more information on school term dates, visit the Term Dates page: https://ow.ly/EWVl50Q4p9M
School Term Dates 2026
Term 1
- Teachers commence on Thursday 29 January 2026 (student-free day).
- New students start school on Friday 30 January 2026.
- Continuing students return to school on Monday 2 February 2026.
- Term 1 ends on Thursday 2 April 2026.
Term 2
- Teachers commence on Monday April 20, 2026 (student-free day).
- Students start school on Tuesday April 21, 2026.
- Term 2 ends Friday July 3, 2026.
Term 3
- Teachers commence on Monday 20 July 2026 (student-free day).
- Students start school on Tuesday 21 July 2026.
- Term 3 ends on Friday 25 September 2026.
Term 4
- Teachers commence on Monday 12 October 2026 (student-free day).
- Students start school on Tuesday 13 October 2026.
- Term 4 ends on Tuesday 18 December 2026.