Confused about school start and finish dates? Here’s our comprehensive list of the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast school holidays for 2021.

This list will cover school holidays for primary and secondary schools on the Gold Coast and then in the Northern Rivers region. Please note that Catholic and Independent schools usually have slightly shorter terms than State schools. In term four, primary schools will be at school for longer than high schools. Hopefully, you’ll be able to plan plenty of great activities around these dates!

Gold Coast school terms

Term 1	Wednesday 27 January – Thursday 1 April	10 weeks
Term 2	Monday 19 April – Friday 25 June	10 weeks
Term 3	Monday 12 July – Friday 17 September	10 weeks
Term 4	Tuesday 5 October – Friday 10 December	10 weeks

Gold Coast staff professional days (student-free days)

Term 1	Thursday 21 January & Friday 22 January	2 days
Term 2	Thursday 15 April & Friday 16 April	2 days
Term 3	Friday 3 September	1 day

Gold Coast early finishing dates for years 10, 11 and 12

Year 12 finishes on Friday 19 November and years 10 and 11 finish on Friday 26 November. See more here.

Northern Rivers school terms

Term 1	Wednesday 3 February – Thursday 1 April
Term 2	Monday 19 April – Friday 25 June
Term 3	Monday 12 July – Friday 17 September
Term 4	Tuesday 5 October – Friday 17 December

Northern Rivers staff professional days (student-free days)

Historically, these days occur at the beginning of terms 1, 2 and 3 plus the last two days of term 4. In 2021, staff professional days for all NSW schools are scheduled to fall on Monday 19 April, Monday 12 July, and Friday 17 December. Please check with your individual school for more precise information.

Northern Rivers early finishing dates for year 12

HSC exams for year 12 students commence in mid-October and end in mid-November. Your school will have an updated timetable of exams closer to term four.

Northern Rivers and Gold Coast school holidays

Your school’s homepage, intranet or parent-communication portal will update you as to any up-to-the-minute changes to the above information.

Wondering what to do with the kids this school holiday? Check out our list.