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Key Education Dates 2026

Important 2026 education dates for Australian teachers: Book Week, NAIDOC Week, Science Week, Harmony Week and more. Add events to your calendar.

Key Education Dates & Events for Australian Teachers – 2026

Stay on top of the important awareness weeks, national days, and education events happening in Australian schools in 2026. From Harmony Week in March to Book Week in August and World Teachers' Day in October, this calendar has every date you need to plan ahead.

Use the calendar buttons to add events directly to Google Calendar or download .ics files for Apple Calendar and Outlook.

Need the 2026 school term dates? See our School Holidays 2026 page for every state and territory.

Term 1 Events (January – April)

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Pi Day14 Mar 2026

Celebrate mathematics and the constant Pi (3.14) — also Albert Einstein's birthday

Harmony Week16 – 22 Mar 2026

Celebrate cultural diversity, inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians

National Close the Gap Day19 Mar 2026

Raise awareness of the health and life expectancy gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

World Down Syndrome Day21 Mar 2026

Raise awareness and advocate for the rights and inclusion of people with Down syndrome

Earth Hour Schools Day27 Mar 2026

Schools participate in environmental action and awareness ahead of Earth Hour (28 Mar)

World Autism Awareness Day2 Apr 2026

Increase understanding and acceptance of people on the autism spectrum

Term 2 Events (April – July)

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National Sorry Day26 May 2026

Remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly the Stolen Generations

National Reconciliation Week27 May 2026 – 3 June 2026

Theme: "All In" — a call for all Australians to commit to reconciliation. From 1967 referendum anniversary to Mabo Day

Mabo Day3 June 2026

Commemorate the landmark High Court Mabo decision recognising Native Title

World Environment Day5 June 2026

Encourage awareness and action for protection of the environment

World Ocean Day8 June 2026

Celebrate the ocean and raise awareness of marine ecosystem protection

World Refugee Day20 June 2026

Honour the strength and courage of refugees and raise awareness of forced displacement

Term 3 Events (July – September)

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NAIDOC Week5 – 12 July 2026

Theme: "50 Years of Deadly" — celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements

Bullying No Way Week11 – 15 Aug 2026

Theme: "Be bold. Be kind. Speak up." — Australia's national bullying prevention initiative for schools

National Science Week15 – 23 Aug 2026

Schools theme: "Seeds of Science" — explore curiosity, inquiry and scientific understanding

CBCA Book Week22 – 28 Aug 2026

Theme: "Symphony of Stories" — celebrate Australian children's literature with the Children's Book Council

Literacy and Numeracy Week29 Aug 2026 – 4 Sept 2026

Celebrate and promote literacy and numeracy skills across Australian schools

R U OK? Day10 Sept 2026

A national day of action to check in and ask "Are you OK?" — supporting mental health

International Day of Peace21 Sept 2026

Theme: "End Racism, Build Peace" — a UN day promoting global cooperation and non-violence

Term 4 Events (October – December)

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Mental Health Week4 – 12 Oct 2026

Promote mental health awareness — includes World Mental Health Day (10 Oct). October is also Mental Health Month

Children's Week24 Oct 2026 – 1 Nov 2026

Theme: "Children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion"

World Teachers' Day30 Oct 2026

Celebrate and recognise the vital role teachers play in education — last Friday of October in Australia

Remembrance Day11 Nov 2026

Honour the service and sacrifice of Australians in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping — one minute's silence at 11am

International Day of People with Disability3 Dec 2026

Promote the rights, dignity and well-being of people with disability

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Book Week 2026?

CBCA Book Week 2026 runs from 22 to 28 August. The 2026 theme is "Symphony of Stories". Book Week is organised by the Children's Book Council of Australia and is one of the most celebrated events in Australian schools. Browse Book Week resources on TeachBuySell.

When is NAIDOC Week 2026?

NAIDOC Week 2026 runs from 5 to 12 July. The 2026 theme is "50 Years of Deadly", marking five decades of NAIDOC Week celebrations. Note that NAIDOC Week may fall during school holidays in some states — many schools celebrate NAIDOC in the first week of Term 3 instead.

When is Science Week 2026?

National Science Week 2026 runs from 15 to 23 August. The schools theme is "Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all". It overlaps with Book Week by one day, creating opportunities for STEM-meets-literacy activities.

When is R U OK? Day 2026?

R U OK? Day 2026 is on Thursday 10 September. It's always the second Thursday of September. R U OK? Day encourages everyone to have meaningful conversations and check in on people who might be struggling.

When is Reconciliation Week 2026?

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June every year. These dates mark two significant milestones: the 1967 referendum (27 May) and the High Court Mabo decision (3 June). The 2026 theme is "All In".

When is World Teachers' Day 2026?

In Australia, World Teachers' Day is celebrated on the last Friday of October — which in 2026 is Friday 30 October. (Note: UNESCO's international World Teachers' Day is 5 October, but Australia observes it later to fall within the school term.)