Summer school holidays 2026-27 by state
| State or territory | Last day of Term 4, 2026 | Term 1, 2027 starts |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Thursday 17 December | Students start Wednesday 3 February (Eastern division) or Wednesday 10 February (Western division); the summer holidays run from Friday 18 December to 27 January or 3 February, followed by staff development days |
| Victoria | Friday 18 December | Wednesday 27 January; government school students start Thursday 28 January |
| Queensland | Friday 11 December | Wednesday 27 January; holidays run from Saturday 12 December to Tuesday 26 January |
| Western Australia | Thursday 17 December | Monday 1 February |
| South Australia | Friday 11 December | 27 January |
| Tasmania | 18 December (colleges set their own finishing dates) | 4 February |
| Australian Capital Territory | Friday 18 December | Monday 1 February for new students, Tuesday 2 February for continuing students |
| Northern Territory | Students finish Thursday 10 December | Students start Wednesday 27 January |
Easter 2027 school holidays
Easter 2027 falls early: Good Friday is 26 March and Easter Monday is 29 March. Not every state lines its Term 1 break up with it.
| State or territory | Term 1 break, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Queensland | Friday 26 March to Sunday 11 April |
| Victoria | Term 1 ends Thursday 25 March; Term 2 starts Monday 12 April |
| New South Wales | Monday 12 April to Friday 23 April |
| South Australia | Term 1 ends 9 April; Term 2 starts 26 April |
| Tasmania | 10 April to 25 April |
| Northern Territory | Term 1 ends Friday 2 April; students return Tuesday 13 April |
In Queensland and Victoria the Easter long weekend sits inside the school break, so both pressures land on the same days. In NSW, South Australia and Tasmania the long weekend comes before the school holidays, which spreads demand over two separate stretches.
What changes for pet care over Christmas
Kennels publish their holiday rules, and they are worth reading before you book. On the pages we checked in October 2026:
- A western Sydney resort adds $26 per dog per day from 20 December to 28 January, and $16 a day in other NSW school holidays.
- A Melbourne kennel requires 14 nights for any booking that includes 25 December to 4 January.
- A Gold Coast kennel in Mudgeeraba adds $10 per dog per day in its Christmas peak and sets a 10-day minimum.
- A Canberra kennel in Watson requires 6 days for stays between 18 December and 5 January.
- An Adelaide Hills cattery charges a minimum of 10 days for a Christmas booking.
A Petme sitter sets their own rate and any minimum, so ask for the total for your dates in the chat before you book. Some sitters charge more for Christmas Day or New Year's Eve; that is their call, and it shows in the quote.
What holiday pet care costs with a sitter
These are the bands Petme sitters typically list in capital cities. Regional cities run lower.
- House sitting, where the sitter stays in your home: $60 to $105 a night, so 14 nights over Christmas and New Year come to $840 to $1,470.
- Dog boarding at the sitter's home: $55 to $90 a night, or $770 to $1,260 for 14 nights.
- Cat sitting visits: $30 to $50 a visit, or $420 to $700 for one visit a day over 14 days.
- Drop-in visits for a dog: $30 to $45 a visit. Two a day for 14 days come to $840 to $1,260.
Owners pay a 0% booking fee on Petme, and the Petme Protection Plan can contribute up to $32,000 toward eligible vet costs during a booked sitting. For per-city detail see what a pet sitter costs in Australia and dog boarding prices by city.
A holiday pet care checklist
- Fix your dates, then message two or three sitters on the same day rather than one at a time.
- Check vaccinations now. Kennels and catteries ask for certificates, and some want them before arrival.
- Book a meet-and-greet before the stay so your pet meets the sitter on a quiet day.
- Write down your vet, the nearest after-hours emergency vet and any medication doses, and leave a copy in the house.
- Plan for heat. Ask the sitter to walk dogs early or late, and leave extra water bowls and shade.
- Think about fireworks on New Year's Eve. Tell the sitter how your pet reacts and where it hides.
The pet sitter prep checklist has the full handover list. To find a sitter, start with pet sitters in Australia.
Christmas and school holiday pet care: FAQ
When are the 2026-27 summer school holidays in Australia?
They start between 10 and 18 December 2026, and students go back between 27 January and 10 February 2027, depending on the state. NSW Eastern division students return on Wednesday 3 February, and Victorian students on Thursday 28 January. Each state's education department publishes the exact dates.
How early should I book a pet sitter for Christmas?
As soon as your dates are fixed. The summer school holidays are the busiest stretch of the year for kennels and sitters, and several kennels we checked set minimum stays of 6 to 14 nights over Christmas. Message more than one sitter so you have a backup.
Do kennels charge more over Christmas?
Many do. Kennels we checked in October 2026 added between $10 and $26 per dog per day over the Christmas peak, or switched to a higher peak rate. Others set a minimum stay instead, so a short trip can be billed as a long one.
How much does a pet sitter cost over Christmas?
A Petme sitter in a capital city typically charges $60 to $105 a night to stay in your home, so 14 nights come to $840 to $1,470. Each sitter sets their own rate and may charge more for public holidays, so ask for the total for your dates before booking.
When are the Easter 2027 school holidays?
It depends on the state. Queensland's Term 1 break runs from 26 March to 11 April 2027, so it covers Easter, while NSW's autumn holidays run from 12 to 23 April. Victoria's Term 1 ends on Thursday 25 March and Term 2 starts on Monday 12 April.
