When travelling to Australia, it is helpful to know when national and state holidays fall in the calendar. Australia is a federation of states. There are six states and two Territories. Nationally, Australia celebrates some holidays, but as you will see from a state perspective, some holidays are celebrated at different times of the year.

Here is a list of national holidays that have been scheduled during 2012. These holidays are celebrated throughout Australia on the same day:

New Year's Day - Sunday, January 1
New Year’s Day Holiday – Monday, January 2
Australia Day Thursday, January 26

Good Friday - Friday, April 6
Easter Sunday - Sunday, April 8
Easter Monday - Monday, April 9
Anzac Day - Wednesday, April 25

Christmas Day 2012 - Tuesday, December 25
Boxing Day 2012 - Wednesday, December 26
New Years Day 2013 - Tuesday, January 1

The following is a compilation of all the public holidays that are scheduled in each of the States and Territories, and have been catalogued into months for easy navigating.

MARCH 2012:
Labour Day (WA) - Monday, March 5
Labour Day (VIC) - Monday, March 12
Eight Hour Day (TAS) - Monday, March 12
Canberra Day (ACT) - Monday, March 12

MAY 2012:
Labour Day (QLD) – Monday, May 7
May Day (NT) – Monday, May 7

JUNE 2012:
Foundation Day (WA) - Monday, June 4
Queen's Birthday Holiday (all States except WA) - Monday, June 11

AUGUST 2012:
Bank Holiday (NSW & ACT) - Monday, August 6(Not Public Holiday)

OCTOBER 2012:
Labour Day (NSW, ACT & SA) - Monday, October 1
Queen's Birthday Holiday (WA) - Monday, October 1

NOVEMBER 2012:
Melbourne Cup Day (Melbourne Metropolitan only) - Tuesday November 6

The following is a list of SCHOOL TERMS for 2012, as they occur in each State or Territory. You will notice that some states schedule their schools holidays at different times to other states!

Australian Capital Territory:
1st Term: Feb 3 - Apr 13
2nd Term: Apr 30 – Jul 6
3rd Term: Jul 23 - Sep 28
4th Term: Oct 15 - Dec 21
(resumes Feb 1, 2013)

New South Wales:
1st Term: Jan 27 - Apr 5
2nd Term: Apr 23 - Jun 29
3rd Term: Jul 16 - Sep 21
4th Term: Oct 8 - Dec 21
(resumes Jan 29, 2013)

Northern Territory:
1st Term: Jan 30 - Apr 5
2nd Term: Apr 16 - Jun 22
3rd Term: Jul 23 - Sep 28
4th Term: Oct 8 - Dec 14
(resumes Jan - , 2013)

Queensland:
1st Term: Jan 23 - Mar 30
2nd Term: Apr 10 - Jun 22
3rd Term: Jul 9 – Sep 21
4th Term: Oct 8 - Dec 14
(resumes Jan - , 2013)

South Australia:
1st Term: Jan 30 - Apr 5
2nd Term: Apr 23 - Jun 29
3rd Term: Jul 16 - Sep 21
4th Term: Oct 8 - Dec 14
(resumes Jan 29, 2013)
Tasmania:

1st Term: Feb 14 - Jun 1
2nd Term: Jun 18 - Sep 7
3rd Term: Sep 24 - Dec 20
(resumes Feb 12, 2013)

Victoria:
1st Term: Feb 1 - Mar 30
2nd Term: Apr 16 - Jun 29
3rd Term: Jul 16 - Sep 21
4th Term: Oct 8 - Dec 21
(resumes Jan 29, 2013)

Western Australia:
1st Term: Feb 1 - Apr 5
2nd Term: Apr 23 - Jul 6
3rd Term: Jul 23 – Sep 28
4th Term: Oct 15 - Dec 18
(resumes Feb 4, 2013)