School and education history in Victoria

Research Victoria's primary and secondary schools, text books and readers, past exams and results, curricula

School term dates

The education departments of each state and territory in Australia are responsible for setting school term dates for government schools. These dates are mandated across both primary and secondary public schools as well as kindergartens. Private schools are at liberty to set their own term dates, but generally follow a similar yearly calendar as government schools.

Current and future term dates for state schools in Victoria (and for the rest of Australia) can be found through the Victorian Education Department. Information on private school term dates in Victoria can be found on the private schools guide. Please refer to individual school websites for accurate term dates within the private sector. 

Historical term dates

The school year originally comprised two terms, beginning on 1st of January and 1st of July. Total school holidays (excluding Saturday and Sunday) could not exceed thirty days. Any teacher who allowed more than thirty days holiday could expect salary reductions. Holidays included Christmas Day, New Years Day, Good Friday and the three following days, Whit Monday (a christian holiday also none as Pentacost Monday), Queen's Birthday, Separation Day (11th of November), any special occasions proclaimed in the Government Gazette, plus days decided on by local committees.

Some historical state school term dates are listed below. (Note: The earlier tabs are a work in progress). These were sourced from our Festivals and Public Holidays local history subject file (from the Australiana Index). These were also recorded in the Victoria education gazette and teachers' aid.

Private/non-government school term dates could vary from state school term dates, as they do now.

Our Library holds an extensive collection of school annuals and magazines. These may list term dates for a specific school in a particular year. To locate what journals we hold for which school do a simple keyword search with the name of the school and the term periodicals. For example St Kevins periodicals. Click the title of any record to see what issues we hold of any journal or annual in the results list.

Shift from three-term to four-term school years

Up until 1987 the Victorian school year was divided into three terms, ranging from 13 to 15 weeks each. Typically the school year would begin on the first Tuesday of February and end around December 19th.

In 1987 the Education Department introduced a four-term structure, acting on the advice of a Working Party for school reorganisation. In a 1984 report to the Acting Director-General of Education at the time, this Working Group suggested that a shift to four ten-week terms would be of benefit to students, teachers, and the community as a whole. 

See Reorganisation of the school year : report to the Director-General of Education, July 1984.

Detail from Lid of a cardboard box designed to hold children's wear, depicting a little girl walking to school with her slate and schoolbag.  H2011.131/240

Detail from Lid of a cardboard box designed to hold children's wear, depicting a little girl walking to school with her slate and schoolbag.  H2011.131/240

Historical term dates - Victorian State schools

2024:

Term 1: 29 January (Students start 30 January in government schools) - 28 March

Term 2: 15 April - 28 June

Term 3: 15 July - 20 September

Term 4: 7 October - 20 December

Future term dates

2025:

Term 1: 28 January (Students start 28 January in government schools) - 4 April

Term 2: 22 April - 4 July

Term 3: 21 July - 19 September

Term 4: 6 October - 19 December

2022:

Term 1: 28 January (Students start 31 January in government schools) - 8 April

Term 2: 26 April - 24 June

Term 3: 11 July - 16 September

Term 4: 3 October - 20 December

2023:

Term 1: 29 January (Students start 30 January in government schools) - 6 April

Term 2: 24 April - 23 June

Term 3: 10 July - 15 September

Term 4: 2 October - 20 December

 
2020:
Term 1: 28 January (Students start 29 January in government schools) - 24 March (Term end brought forward)
Term 2: 14 April (Students start 15 April in in government schools) - 26 June
Term 3: 13 July - 18 September
Term 4: 5 October - 18 December
2021:
Term 1:  27 January (Students start 28 January in government schools) - 1 April
Term 2: 19 April - 25 June
Term 3: 12 July - 17 September
Term 4: 4 October - 17 December
2010:
Term 1: 27 January - 26 March
Term 2: 12 April - 25 June
Term 3: 12 July - 17 September
Term 4: 4 October - 17 December
2015:
Term 1: 27 January - 27 March
Term 2: 13 April - 26 June
Term 3: 13 July - 18 September
Term 4: 5 October - 18 December
2011:
Term 1: 1 February - 8 April
Term 2: 27 April - 1 July
Term 3: 18 July - 23 September
Term 4: 10 October - 22 December
2016:
Term 1: 27 January - 24 March
Term 2: 11 April - 24 June
Term 3: 11 July - 16 September
Term 4: 3 October - 20 December
2012:
Term 1: 1 February - 30 March
Term 2: 16 April - 29 June
Term 3: 16 July - 21 September
Term 4: 8 October - 21 December
2017:
Term 1: 30 January - 31 March
Term 2: 18 April - 30 June
Term 3: 17 July - 22 September
Term 4: 9 October - 22 December
2013:
Term 1: 29 January - 28 March
Term 2: 15 April - 28 June
Term 3: 15 July - 20 September
Term 4: 7 October - 20 December
2018:
Term 1: 29 January - 29 March
Term 2: 16 April - 29 June
Term 3: 16 July - 21 September
Term 4: 8 October - 21 December
2014:
Term 1: 28 January - 4 April 
Term 2: 22 April - 27 June
Term 3: 14 July - 19 September
Term 4: 6 October - 19 December
2019:
Term 1: 29 January - 5 April 
Term 2: 23 April - 28 June
Term 3: 15 July - 20 September
Term 4: 7 October - 20 December

 

 

2000:
Term 1: 25 January - 7 April
Term 2: 26 April - 23 June
Term 3: 10 July - 15 September
Term 4: 2 October - 19 December
2005:
Term 1: 27 January - 1 April
Term 2: 18 April - 24 June
Term 3: 11 July - 16 September
Term 4: 3 October - 21 December
2001:
Term 1: 31 January - 6 April
Term 2: 23 April - 29 June
Term 3: 16 July - 21 September
Term 4: 8 October - 21 December
2006:
Term 1: 30 January - 10 March
Term 2: 27 March - 16 June
Term 3: 3 July - 15 September
Term 4: 2 October - 21 December
2002:
Term 1: 30 January - 28 March
Term 2: 15 April - 28 June
Term 3: 15 July - 20 September
Term 4: 7 October - 20 December
2007:
Term 1: 30 January - 30 March
Term 2: 16 April - 29 June
Term 3: 16 July - 21 September
Term 4: 8 October - 21 December
2003:
Term 1: 28 January - 11 April
Term 2: 28 April - 27 June
Term 3: 14 July - 19 September
Term 4: 6 October - 19 December
2008:
Term 1: 29 January - 20 March 
Term 2: 7 April - 27 June
Term 3: 14 July - 19 September
Term 4: 6 October - 19 December
2004:
Term 1: 29 January - 2 April
Term 2: 19 April - 25 June
Term 3: 12 July - 17 September
Term 4: 4 October - 17 December
2009:
Term 1: 28 January - 3 April
Term 2: 20 April - 26 June
Term 3: 13 July - 18 September
Term 4: 5 October - 18 December

1990:
Term 1: 5 February - 12 April
Term 2: 30 April - 6 July
Term 3: 23 July - 21 September
Term 4: 8 October - 21 December
1995:
Term 1: 31 January - 7 April
Term 2: 24 April - 30 June
Term 3: 17 July - 22 September
Term 4: 9 October - 21 December
1991:
Term 1: 29 January - 12 April
Term 2: 29 April - 5 July
Term 3: 22 July - 20 September
Term 4: 7 October - 20 December
1996:
Term 1: 30 January - 4 April
Term 2: 22 April - 28 June
Term 3: 15 July - 20 September
Term 4: 7 October - 20 December
1992: 
Term 1: 28 January - 10 April
Term 2: 27 April - 3 July
Term 3: 20 July - 18 September
Term 4: 5 October - 18 December
1997:
Term 1: 28 January - 11 April
Term 2: 28 April - 27 June
Term 3: 14 July - 19 September
Term 4: 6 October - 19 December
1993: 
Term 1: 25 January - 8 April
Term 2: 26 April - 2 July
Term 3: 19 July - 17 September
Term 4: 4 October - 17 December
1998:
Term 1: 27 January - 9 April
Term 2: 27 April - 26 June
Term 3: 13 July - 18 September
Term 4: 5 October - 18 December
 
1994:
Term 1: 24 January - 31 March
Term 2: 18 April - 1 July
Term 3: 18 July - 16 September
Term 4: 3 October - 22 December
1999:
Term 1: 25 January - 1 April
Term 2: 19 April - 25 June
Term 3: 12 July - 17 September
Term 4: 4 October - 17 December

 

1980:
Term 1: 4 February - 9 May
Term 2: 26 May - 22 August
Term 3: 8 September - 18 December
1985:
Term 1: 4 February - 10 May 
Term 2: 27 May - 23 August
Term 3: 9 September - 19 December
1981:
Term 1: 2 February - 8 May
Term 2: 25 May - 21 August
Term 3: 7 September - 17 December
1986:
Term 1: 3 February - 9 May
Term 2: 26 May - 22 August
Term 3: 8 September - 18 December
1982:
Term 1: 2 February - 7 May
Term 2: 24 May - 20 August
Term 3: 6 September - 16 December
1987:
Term 1: 4 February - 16 April
Term 2: 27 April- 26 June
Term 3: 13 July - 28 September
Term 4: 5 October - 22 December
1983:
Term 1: 1 February - 6 May
Term 2: 23 May - 19 August
Term 3: 5 September - 15 December
1988:
Term 1: 3 February - 31 March
Term 2: 11 April - 24 June
Term 3: 11 July - 16 September
Term 4: 3 October - 22 December
1984:
Term 1: 31 January - 4 May
Term 2: 21 May - 17 August
Term 3: 3 September - 18 December
1989:
Term 1: 1 February - 23 March
Term 2: 3 April - 23 June
Term 3: 10 July - 22 September
Term 4: 9 October - 22 December
1970:
Term 1: 3 February - 8 May 
Term 2: 25 May - 21 August 
Term 3: 7 September - 17 December
1975:
Term 1: 2 February - 7 May
Term 2: 24 May - 20 August
Term 3: 6 September - 16 December
1971:
Term 1: 3 February - 7 May
Term 2: 23 May - August 20
Term 3: 6 September - 17 December
1976:
Term 1: 2 February - 7 May
Term 2: 24 May - 20 August
Term 3: 6 September - 16 December
1972:
Term 1: 1 February - 5 May
Term 2: 22 May - 18 August
Term 3: 4 September - 15 December
1977:
Term 1: 1 February - 6 May
Term 2: 23 May - 19 August
Term 3: 5 September - 15 December
1973:
Term 1: 6 February - 11 May
Term 2: 28 May - 24 August
Term 3: 10 September - 18 December
1978:
Term 1: 6 February - 12 May
Term 2: 29 May - 25 August
Term 3: 11 September - 19 December
1974:
Term 1: 3 February - 9 May
Term 2: 26 May - 22 August
Term 3: 8 September - 18 December 
1979:
Term 1: 6 February - 11 May
Term 2: 28 May - 24 August
Term 3: 10 September - 20 December
1960:
Term 1: 3 February - 13 May
Term 2: 24 May - 26 August
Term 3: 6 September - 16 December
1965:
Term 1: 3 February - 14 May
Term 2: 25 May - 27 August
Term 3: 13 September - 17 December
1961:
Term 1:  7 February - 19 May
Term 2: 31 May - 27 August
Term 3: 12 September - 19 December
1966:
Term 1: 2 February - 13 May
Term 2: 24 May - 26 August
Term 3: 12 September - 16 December
1962:
Term 1: 6 February - 11 May
Term 2: 21 May - 24 August
Term 3: 10 September - 19 December
1967:
Term 1: 8 February - 12 May
Term 2: 23 May - 25 August
Term 3: 11 September - 19 December
1963:
Term 1: 5 February - 10 May
Term 2: 20 May - 23 August
Term 3: 9 September - 20 December
1968:
Term 1: 7 February - 10 May
Term 2: 21 May - 22 August
Term 3: 9 September - 19 December
1964:
Term 1: 4 February - 15 May
Term 2: 25 May - 28 August
Term 3: 14 September - 18 December
1969:
Term 1: 5 February - 9 May
Term 2: 16 May - 22 August
Term 3: 8 September - 19 December
1950:
Term 1: 6 February - 12 May
Term 2: 22 May - 24 August
Term 3: 11 September - 15 December
1955:
Term 1: 1 February - 13 May
Term 2: 24 May - 26 August
Term 3: 6 September - 19 December
1951:
Term 1: 6 February - 18 May
Term 2: 1 June - 31 August 
Term 3: 11 September - 18 December
1956:
Term 1: 7 February - 18 May
Term 2: 29 May - 31 August
Term 3: 11 September - 18 December
1952:
Term 1: 5 February - 16 May
Term 2: 27 May - 30 August
Term 3: 11 September - 19 December
1957:
Term 1: 5 February - 17 May
Term 2: 28 May - 30 August
Term 3: 10 September - 19 December
1953:
Term 1: 3 February - 15 May
Term 2: 26 May - 28 August
Term 3: 8 September - 18 December
1958:
Term 1: 4 February - 16 May 
Term 2: 3 June - 29 August
Term 3: 8 September - 19 December
1954:
Term 1: 2 February - 14 May
Term 2: 25 May - 27 August
Term 3:  7 September - 17 December
1959:
Term 1: 4 February - 15 May
Term 2: 26 May - 28 August
Term 3: 8 September - 17 December
1940:
Term 1: 6 February - 10 May
Term 2: 20 May - 27 August
Term 3: 10 September - 19 December
1945:
Term 1: 6 February - 18 May 
Term 2: 29 May - 31 August
Term 3: 11 September - 21 December
1941:
Term 1: 4 February - 16 May
Term 2: 26 May - 28 August
Term 3: 7 September - 19 December
1946:
Term 1: 5 February - 17 May
Term 2: 28 May - 30 August
Term 3: 10 September - 19 December
1942:
Term 1: 3 February -15 May
Term 2: 26 May - 28 August
Term 3: 8 September - 18 December
1947:
Term 1: 4 February - 16 May 
Term 2: 27 May - 29 August
Term 3: 9 September - 18 December
1943:
Term 1: 2 February - 14 May
Term 2: 25 May - 27 August
Term 3: 7 September - 17 December
1948:
Term 1: 2 February - 14 May
Term 2: 25 May - 27 August
Term 3: 7 September - 16 December
1944:
Term 1: 1 February - 19 May
Term 2: 30 May - 25 August
Term 3: 5 September - 20 December
1949:
Term 1: 1 February - 12 May
Term 2: 24 May - 26 August
Term 3: 6 September - 14 December
1930:
Term 1:
Term 2: 3 June -
Term 3: 16 September -                     

1935:
Term 1: 13 February -
Term 2: 5 June -
Term 3: 18 September -

1931:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1936:
Term 1: 
Term 2: 
Term 3:
1932:
Term 1: 9 February -
Term 2: 8 June -
Term 3: 14 September -
1937:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1933:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1938:
Term 1: 2 February - 20 May
Term 2: 31 May - 20 August
Term 3: 6 September - 22 December
1934:
Term 1: 12 February -
Term 2: 14 June -
Term 3: 17 September -
1939:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1920:                             
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1925:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1921:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1926:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1922:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1927:
Term 1: 9 February -  
Term 2: 1 June -
Term 3: 14 September -
1923:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1928:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1924:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1929:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1910: 
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1915:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1911:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1916:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1912:                                        
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1917:
Term 1: 
Term 2:
Term 3:
1913:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1918:
Term 1: 12 February -
Term 2: 4 June -
Term 3: 17 September -
1914:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
1919:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3: