Term 3 school dates for 2026: What parents and pupils need to know

Public schools reopen for Term 3 on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, according to the 2026 Calendar for Public Schools published in the Government Gazette. The term runs for 10 weeks and closes on 23 September.

Key dates and length of term

Term 3 begins: Tuesday, 21 July 2026.

Term 3 ends: 23 September 2026.

The term covers 47 school days in total, with one public holiday falling within the term that reduces the number of instructional days.

Public holidays during and around Term 3

Families should note two public holidays that affect the term:

• National Women’s Day: 9 August 2026.
• An additional public holiday: 10 August 2026.

These two dates interrupt the school week and provide a short midweek break roughly three weeks before the term concludes. Heritage Day, observed on 24 September, falls just after the term ends, so pupils will already be on holiday when that public holiday arrives.

Attendance and planning

The Department of Basic Education structures the calendar to balance teaching time with rest periods and to ensure required instructional days are met. Parents planning family time, medical appointments or travel are advised to factor the confirmed dates into their plans, as attendance remains compulsory outside confirmed holiday periods.

Looking ahead to Term 4 and the full school year

After Term 3 ends on 23 September, pupils return for Term 4 on 6 October 2026. The fourth term runs until either 9 December or 11 December 2026, depending on each school’s administrative arrangements.

The Department has structured the school year to total 43 weeks of school time, comprising 200 to 204 actual school days once public holidays and administrative days are accounted for.