NSW School Eastern & Western Divisions Information

We are often asked for information on which schools are in the Eastern and Western Divisions in New South Wales. There is not alot of information published relating to the subject but we were able to communicate with the NSW Department of Education to get some limited info.

Why do Western Division schools in NSW return a week later?

In New South Wales the Western Division schools generally return to school one week later than their Eastern Division counterparts. The response from the NSW Department of Education was that these different start dates are based on geographic variables and historic precedent. From what we can gather the main reason for the later return for the Western Division is that it is due to the higher temperatures experienced in the Western Suburbs during that time of year. So to spare the teachers and students from the heat, the Western Schools return one week later. In addiiton, there is reference to the Western Division of NSW in the Teachers Salaries and Conditions Award with respect to Climatic Disability.

Which schools are in which division?

This is a difficult topic to answer as we could not locate a detailed list or map showing which schools were in which division.

The NSW Department of Education did refer us to the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission Industrial Gazette where we found detailed reference to the Western Division in the Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award 2014.

In this document it is stated that Western Division schools are categorised as schools that are "located in the Western Division of New South Wales upon or to the west of a line starting from a point on the right bank of the Murray River opposite Swan Hill (Victoria), and thence by straight lines passing through the following towns or localities in the order stated, viz., Conargo, Coleambally, Hay, Rankins Springs, Marsden, Condobolin, Peak Hill, Nevertire, Gulargambone, Coonabarabran, Wee Waa, Moree, Warialda, Ashford and Bonshaw". This information can be found here http://www.ircgazette.justice.nsw.gov.au/irc/ircgazette.nsf/webviewdate/C8484.

To date we have been unable to track down a map or more detailed list of specific schools in each division.

2019 NSW School Holiday Info

The information below is relevant to NSW state schools. Independent and Catholic schools do base their terms on the state school dates but their term dates can vary from school to school. You should check directly with the relevant school to find out the correct term date information. In NSW term dates are broken into Eastern Division and Western Division. The term dates for both divisions are identical with the exception of term 1.

Note that the dates below represent official term dates however many schools elect to start the students back on slightly different dates. For instance, it is common for the first day back at school to be a Tuesday for students rather than the Monday. It is also common for students to finish term 4 in the days prior to the final Friday.

2019 NSW School Holidays and Term Dates

View NSW Schoolies Dates 2019

View NSW Public Holidays

*Year 12 has different finishing dates in term 4. Year 12 only goes for 3 terms and graduate late September/early October. There is then a short break before returning for final exams (HSC) which start mid-October and end around the same time in November. Dates will be added once made available.

2020 NSW School Holiday Info

The information below is relevant to NSW state schools. Independent and Catholic schools do base their terms on the state school dates but their term dates can vary from school to school. You should check directly with the relevant school to find out the correct term date information. In NSW term dates are broken into Eastern Division and Western Division. The term dates for both divisions are identical with the exception of term 1.

Note that the dates below represent official term dates however many schools elect to start the students back on slightly different dates. For instance, it is common for the first day back at school to be a Tuesday for students rather than the Monday. It is also common for students to finish term 4 in the days prior to the final Friday.

2020 NSW School Holidays and Term Dates

*Year 12 has different finishing dates in term 4. Year 12 only goes for 3 terms and graduate late September/early October. There is then a short break before returning for final exams (HSC) which start mid-October and end around the same time in November. Dates will be added once made available.