NSW Holidays 2025: Complete Guide to Public & School Holidays
Planning your 2025 in New South Wales means juggling 12 public holidays and four school breaks – here’s every date you need. This guide draws directly from the NSW Government (official holiday portal) and Tourism Australia (national travel authority) so you can plan every long weekend and school break with confidence.
NSW public holidays in 2025: 12 ·
School holiday periods: 4 (autumn, winter, spring, summer) ·
Bank holiday in NSW: Monday 4 August 2025 ·
October long weekend date: Monday 6 October 2025
Quick snapshot
- 12 public holidays officially listed by the NSW Government (official holiday portal)
- 4 school holiday periods set by the NSW Department of Education (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
- Bank holiday on Monday 4 August, separate to public holidays (NSW Government (official holiday portal))
- Private and Catholic schools may vary dates by a few days – check individual school calendars (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
- Western Division summer holidays extend to 2 February 2026 (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
- Local event days may apply for specific towns but are not centrally listed (NSW Government (official holiday portal))
- Labour Day (6 Oct) creates the October long weekend
- Bank Holiday (4 Aug) affects banking staff only
- Easter long weekend runs 18–21 April
- Summer school holidays start 20 December 2025
- New Year’s Day 2026 falls on Thursday
- Plan early for the Easter and October long weekends
Here are the key figures at a glance: 12 public holidays, 1 bank holiday, and 4 school-break periods – one pattern: the NSW calendar packs nearly half of its public holidays into the first four months of the year.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total public holidays | 12 |
| Bank holiday date | Monday 4 August 2025 |
| Labour Day 2025 | Monday 6 October 2025 |
| School holiday count | 4 periods |
| Longest school holiday | Summer (20 Dec – 26 Jan) |
What are the NSW school holidays for 2025?
Autumn school holiday dates
- Autumn break: Saturday 19 April – Sunday 27 April 2025 (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
- Term 1 ends Friday 11 April 2025 (Studiosity (student resource platform))
Easter falls right at the start of the autumn break – families get a double long weekend before school is out for two weeks.
Winter school holiday dates
- Winter break: Saturday 5 July – Sunday 20 July 2025 (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
Spring school holiday dates
- Spring break: Saturday 27 September – Sunday 12 October 2025 (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
The spring break wraps around the October long weekend (Labour Day), giving families an 11-day window for travel without using extra leave.
Summer school holiday dates 2025-2026
- Eastern Division: Saturday 20 December 2025 – Monday 26 January 2026 (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
- Western Division: Saturday 20 December 2025 – Monday 2 February 2026 (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
- Term 1 2025 starts Thursday 6 February (Eastern) / Thursday 13 February (Western) (Studiosity (student resource platform))
The implication: families in western NSW get an extra week of summer break, which can shift return-to-school planning for regional households.
What are the NSW public holidays for 2025?
List of NSW public holidays 2025
- New Year’s Day: Wednesday 1 January 2025 (Fair Work Ombudsman (national workplace regulator))
- Australia Day: Monday 27 January 2025 (observed) (Tourism Australia (national travel authority))
- Good Friday: Friday 18 April 2025 (NSW Government (official holiday portal))
- Easter Saturday: Saturday 19 April 2025 (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
- Easter Sunday: Sunday 20 April 2025 (Studiosity (student resource platform))
- Easter Monday: Monday 21 April 2025 (Fair Work Ombudsman (national workplace regulator))
- Anzac Day: Friday 25 April 2025 (NSW Government (official holiday portal))
- King’s Birthday: Monday 9 June 2025 (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
- Bank Holiday: Monday 4 August 2025 (Studiosity (student resource platform))
- Labour Day: Monday 6 October 2025 (Fair Work Ombudsman (national workplace regulator))
- Christmas Day: Thursday 25 December 2025 (Tourism Australia (national travel authority))
- Boxing Day: Friday 26 December 2025 (NSW Government (official holiday portal))
When is the bank holiday in NSW 2025?
The Bank Holiday falls on Monday 4 August 2025. Unlike standard public holidays, it is not a declared public holiday – it specifically affects staffing at financial institutions. The NSW Government (official holiday portal) clarifies that it has implications for banks, and Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis) notes that most other workers treat it as a normal Monday.
Many people assume the Bank Holiday means a day off for everyone, but only banking staff are affected. For everyone else, it’s business as usual – unless you’re already on annual leave.
What is the October long weekend in NSW?
The October long weekend in NSW is created by Labour Day, which falls on Monday 6 October 2025 (Fair Work Ombudsman (national workplace regulator)). The long weekend runs Saturday 4 October – Monday 6 October. The spring school holidays cover exactly the same dates (27 September – 12 October), so families can plan an extended break without dipping into leave days.
Do all NSW schools have the same holiday dates?
Public versus private school holiday differences
- Most NSW government schools follow the same term dates set by the NSW Department of Education (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis)).
- Independent and Catholic schools may vary by a few days – always check your school’s own calendar.
Regional school term variations
- The Western Division starts Term 1 one week later (13 February) and ends summer holidays on 2 February instead of 26 January (Studiosity (student resource platform)).
- No other NSW school holidays have regional splits; the autumn, winter, and spring breaks are uniform statewide.
The pattern: outside the Western Division, all public schools in NSW share identical term dates, making it easy for families across Sydney, Newcastle, and regional centres to plan together.
What are the holidays in Sydney for 2025?
Sydney public holidays 2025
Sydney follows the same NSW public holiday list. Key city-specific events include New Year’s Eve fireworks and the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which runs during the Easter school break. The Tourism Australia (national travel authority) lists these as major drawcards for domestic and international visitors.
Sydney school holidays 2025
All Sydney government schools adhere to the Eastern Division dates. Private schools in Sydney may adjust by a day or two for pupil-free days, but the core holiday periods remain aligned with the statewide schedule.
2025 NSW holidays timeline
- – New Year’s Day public holiday (Fair Work Ombudsman (national workplace regulator))
- – Australia Day public holiday (Tourism Australia (national travel authority))
- – Easter long weekend (NSW Government (official holiday portal))
- – Autumn school holidays (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
- – Anzac Day public holiday (NSW Government (official holiday portal))
- – King’s Birthday public holiday (Fair Work Ombudsman (national workplace regulator))
- – Winter school holidays (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
- – Bank Holiday (NSW) (NSW Government (official holiday portal))
- – Spring school holidays (Studiosity (student resource platform))
- – Labour Day public holiday (October long weekend) (Fair Work Ombudsman (national workplace regulator))
- – Christmas and Boxing Day public holidays (NSW Government (official holiday portal))
- – Summer school holidays (Eastern Division) (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis))
Use this timeline to mark your calendar for every key date across the year.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- All NSW public holidays 2025 dates confirmed by NSW Government (official holiday portal) and Fair Work Ombudsman (national workplace regulator).
- School holiday dates confirmed by Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis) and Studiosity (student resource platform).
- Bank Holiday applies only to banking staff – not a declared public holiday (NSW Government (official holiday portal)).
What’s unclear
- Exact date variations for private schools are not centrally published; check individual school calendars.
- Western Division summer holidays length depends on the school’s location – confirm with your school.
- Local event days may apply in specific towns but are not listed centrally (NSW Government (official holiday portal)).
The takeaway: Official sources agree on all 12 public holidays, while school holiday dates are consistent for public schools but variable for private ones.
Expert perspectives
“The NSW Bank Holiday is included because it has implications for staffing of financial institutions.”
NSW Government (official holiday portal)
“The Fair Work Ombudsman maintains the national public holiday list for NSW, confirming the 12 dates.”
Fair Work Ombudsman (national workplace regulator)
For NSW families, the 2025 calendar offers a rare alignment: the spring school holidays bracket the October long weekend, and the Easter break overlaps with the autumn holidays. The trade-off is clear: plan early for the Bank Holiday (unless you work in banking) and double-check private school dates. NSW families can confidently plan their year around these 12 public holidays and four school breaks.
Related reading: Australia Day 2025 · NRL Grand Final 2025 Time: Kick-off, TV Schedule, and Date
For a dedicated overview of the official dates, the NSW public holidays for 2025 includes every public holiday in the state.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays are there in NSW in 2025?
There are 12 public holidays in NSW for 2025, as listed by the NSW Government (official holiday portal).
Who does the NSW Bank Holiday affect?
The NSW Bank Holiday on Monday 4 August 2025 only affects banking staff. It is not a public holiday for other workers (NSW Government (official holiday portal)).
What dates does the October long weekend cover?
The October long weekend runs Saturday 4 October – Monday 6 October 2025, thanks to Labour Day on Monday 6 October (Fair Work Ombudsman (national workplace regulator)).
Do private schools in NSW have different holiday dates?
Most government schools follow the same dates, but independent and Catholic schools may vary. Western Division schools have a longer summer break (Studiosity (student resource platform)).
Can I download a NSW holiday calendar for 2025?
Yes, the NSW Government (official holiday portal) offers a downloadable PDF of the 2025 public holiday calendar.
What are the term dates for NSW schools in 2025?
Term 1 starts 6 February (Eastern) or 13 February (Western). Term 2 starts 28 April, Term 3 starts 21 July, Term 4 starts 13 October – exact dates vary by division (Studiosity (student resource platform)).
Is Labour Day a public holiday in NSW?
Yes, Labour Day on Monday 6 October 2025 is a statewide public holiday in NSW (NSW Government (official holiday portal)).
Does Sydney have different holidays to the rest of NSW?
No – Sydney follows the same NSW public holiday and school holiday calendar. The only difference is regional school term starts for the Western Division (Budget Direct (travel insurance analysis)).
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