Relocating to Australia in December-January: Complete Guide to Summer Holiday Challenge.

It's that time of the year again when the great Australian slowdown starts. We're patiently (or impatiently depending on your POV) waiting for the collective sigh of relief when we get to stop work for two blissful weeks over the holiday period, when the workday stress leaves, and we forget what day it is for a few weeks.

 Increasingly, industries in Australia are taking a break at the end of the year and returning in early January. The holidays will start on the Friday before Christmas, for example, this year it is December 19, and we return on January 5 2026.    This is not a mandatory or set time; some industries work through, and some take longer and don't come back the second week of January.

What This Means for New Arrivals

Public Holidays to Know

Australia observes several public holidays during this period:

• Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25, 2025

• Boxing Day: Friday, December 26, 2025

• New Year's Day: Thursday, January 1, 2026

Some states also observe part-day public holidays on Christmas Eve (7 pm-midnight) and New Year's Eve (7 pm-midnight), with South Australia and the Northern Territory observing them from 7 pm-midnight, and Queensland from 6 pm-midnight.

When public holidays fall on weekends, most states provide additional public holidays on the following weekday, creating long weekends that many Australians use for extended holidays.

School Enrolment

Schools across Australia close for summer holidays in mid-December and don't reopen until late January or early February, depending on your state. This creates a roughly six-week period when schools are entirely closed.

Key dates for 2025-2026:

• Schools close: Between December 15-22, 2025 (varies by state)

• Schools reopen: Between late January and early February 2026

  
  

Specifically by state:

• NSW: December 22, 2025, to February 2, 2026

• VIC: December 22, 2025, to January 27, 2026

• QLD: December 15, 2025, to January 27, 2026

• SA: December 15, 2025, to January 27, 2026

• WA: December 22, 2025, to February 2, 2026

• TAS: December 19, 2025, to February 2, 2026

• ACT: December 19, 2025, to February 2, 2026

• NT: December 15, 2025 to January 28, 2026

During this period, school administration offices are closed, principals and teaching staff are on holiday, and you cannot visit schools, attend orientation sessions, or complete enrolment processes. If you're arriving during December or early January, you'll need to wait until schools reopen to finalise enrolments, even if you've begun the process remotely.

Our recommendation: If your children's education is a priority in your relocation planning, consider arriving in late January or early February. This timing allows you to visit schools, meet teachers, and complete enrolments before or as the school year begins, rather than arriving when everything is closed.

Real Estate Market

Rental Market

The rental property market experiences distinct patterns during the summer period that are worth understanding:

December (before Christmas): The market slows down in the first few weeks of December, with the rush to lease properties before the end of the year. Real estate agencies typically close their offices from around December 22 through the first or second week of January.

Christmas to New Year period: Property inspections essentially cease. Most agencies close for 1-2 weeks, and very few new listings appear. If you're viewing properties during this time, you'll find limited options and difficulty arranging inspections. Expect no inspections between approximately December 20, 2025, and January 7, 2026.

January: The market rebounds strongly in late January and February as families return from holidays and coordinate relocations before the school year. This is actually peak rental season, with students starting university, families finalising school-related moves, and significant movement in the market.

What this means for you:

• No property inspections will be available between approximately December 20, 2025, and January 7, 2026

• If you need to secure housing quickly, arriving in late January or early February 2026 gives you access to the peak market period.

• Consider extending your temporary accommodation if you arrive in December 2025 or early January 2026

Childcare Centres

Childcare centres have varied approaches to the summer period. Some remain open except for public holidays, while others close for one to two weeks over Christmas and New Year.

Based on government childcare subsidy guidance, families can only receive subsidies when services are actually open and providing care (except for public holidays). Individual centres make their own decisions about closure periods, and you'll need to check with specific centres about their Christmas operating hours.

Important consideration: Even childcare centres that remain open often operate with skeleton staff during this period, and securing temporary or casual care spots can be challenging. If you're relocating with young children and need childcare immediately, arriving in early to mid-January when centres return to their whole operation will make this significantly easier.

Government Services

Government departments and services that process essential documentation—Medicare enrolments, driver's license conversions, tax file numbers, visas, customs and other administrative necessities—operate on reduced schedules during the holiday period.

Most government offices close from around December 23-24 and reopen January 2-3. However, frontline services often maintain some level of operation, and processing times may be extended due to reduced staff.

Key service closure dates:

• Child Care Subsidy Helpdesk: Expected to close from around 12:30 pm on December 24, 2025, reopening January 2, 2026

• Most government service centres: Closed December 25-27, 2025 and January 1, 2026

• Many services operate with reduced hours on December 24, 2025 and January 2-3, 2026

Our recommendation: If you need to complete government paperwork and registrations, arriving before mid-December 2025 or after early January 2026 will give you full access to services with normal processing times.

Household Goods and Removals

While international removal companies continue to operate during the summer period, you should expect delays at several points in the process:

Customs and quarantine services operate with reduced staff during the holiday period, which can extend processing times for international shipments. The ongoing global shipping disruptions can also unpredictably affect delivery schedules.

Furniture delivery and installation services often have limited availability or close entirely during the Christmas-New Year period. Even if your goods clear customs, getting them delivered and installed may take longer than usual.

Our recommendation: Build buffer time into your household goods timeline if your shipment is due to arrive in December 2025 or early January 2026. Consider having essential items in temporary accommodation rather than relying on timely delivery during this period.

Practical Strategies for Summer Arrivals

If your relocation timing coincides with the Australian summer period, here are practical approaches that make the transition smoother:

Timing Your Arrival

Ideal timing: Late January or early February 2026 gives you access to the full market—schools are reopening, real estate activity is at its peak, government services are fully operational, and businesses are back to regular staffing.

Early December 2025: Arriving before mid-December means you can access services and complete administrative tasks before the slowdown. However, you'll then experience the quiet period while you're still new and establishing yourself.

Avoid if possible: The period from December 20, 2025, to January 7, 2026, is the most challenging time for administrative tasks and service access.

Extending Your Temporary Accommodation

If you arrive during the summer period, extending your temporary accommodation by 2 to 4 weeks reduces the pressure to make rushed decisions about permanent housing when inspection availability is limited. This investment in extended temporary accommodation typically pays for itself by enabling you to make better housing choices with complete information and access to the market.

Many relocation packages include temporary accommodation allowances. If you're arriving during the summer period, discuss extending this allowance with your employer before arrival rather than trying to compress your housing search into a period when the market is essentially closed.

Working with Your Relocation Agent

Your relocation consultant can provide crucial support during the summer period by:

• Beginning school research and outreach before you arrive

• Identifying properties and scheduling inspections immediately after agencies reopen

• Helping you understand which services are available during your specific arrival window

• Managing timeline expectations with your employer

• Coordinating the logistics of household goods arrival with the holiday schedule

The earlier you engage with your relocation agent—ideally three to six months before arrival—the more they can accomplish before the summer slowdown affects your family directly.

Planning for the Holiday Period

If you're arriving during the summer holidays, consider how you'll help your family, particularly children, adjust during this period:

For children: The six-week school holiday means limited opportunities to meet peers through school activities. Look into:

• Holiday programs and camps (book early as these fill quickly)

• Community sports programs

• Local library activities and programs

• Beach and outdoor exploration

• Parks and recreation facilities

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For the family: Use this quieter period to:

• Explore your new city and suburbs without the usual crowds

• Understand commute times and traffic patterns

• Visit different neighbourhoods and beaches

• Establish routines and learn your new environment

• Rest and recover from the relocation journey itself

Making the Most of the Australian Summer

 The summer period in Australia is a time for recharging and relaxing. It's a time to settle in at a gentler pace.  As Aussies, we use this period to slow down, spend time outdoors, and enjoy the environment, see family and friends and just enjoy life. As a new arrival, embrace this cultural rhythm rather than fighting against it.

Australian beaches are spectacular in summer. Parks and outdoor facilities are well-maintained and accessible. The weather (while hot) encourages outdoor activity. The general atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. This can actually be an excellent time for families to bond, explore their new home, and adjust to a new culture without the immediate pressure of school and work routines.

Stay Sun-Smart

Australia's UV levels are intense, particularly in summer. Take sun safety seriously:

• Apply SPF 50+ sunscreen regularly (every two hours, or after swimming)

• Wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses

• Seek shade during peak UV hours (10 am-3 pm)

• Stay hydrated in the heat

• Learn to check daily UV index readings

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These aren't optional precautions—the Australian sun is significantly more intense than most new arrivals expect, and sun safety is a genuine health priority.

Critical Summer Safety for New Arrivals

Australia's natural environment is stunning, but it demands respect and awareness. As newcomers during the summer, there are several safety considerations that are absolutely non-negotiable:

Beach Safety: Always Swim Between the Flags

Australian beaches can be deceptively dangerous. The surf conditions that look inviting can hide powerful rips, strong currents, and sudden changes in depth that catch even strong swimmers off guard.

The golden rule: Only swim at patrolled beaches, and always swim between the red and yellow flags where lifeguards are actively watching. These flags mark the safest swimming areas, assessed daily by trained professionals who understand the specific conditions at that beach.

Rips (strong currents that pull swimmers away from shore) are responsible for more rescues than any other beach hazard in Australia. If you're caught in a rip, don't panic or swim against it. Raise your arm to signal for help, float, and let the current carry you—it will eventually release you, and lifeguards will reach you. Never swim at unpatrolled beaches, at dusk or dawn, or after consuming alcohol.

Bushwalking and Nature: Share the Space Respectfully

Australia's bushland and natural areas are home to wildlife that requires caution and awareness. During the summer, snakes are particularly active. They're not aggressive by nature, but they will defend themselves if surprised or threatened.

When bushwalking or exploring natural areas:

• Stay on marked tracks and established paths

• Never walk through long grass or undergrowth

• Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants when bushwalking

• Make noise as you walk—this gives snakes advance warning to move away

• Never attempt to touch, corner, or interact with any snake

• If you encounter a snake, stand still, let it pass, and slowly move away

  
  

Beyond snakes, be aware of spiders in outdoor areas (check before sitting on logs or reaching into crevices), and teach children never to touch or pick up any creature without adult supervision.

Bushfire Awareness: Take Warnings Seriously

Bushfires are a natural part of Australia's ecosystem, but they pose serious risks during hot, dry, windy conditions. While we don't experience major bushfires every year, the potential exists throughout summer, particularly in regional and outer suburban areas.

Essential bushfire safety:

• Download the emergency alert app for your state (e.g., Fires Near Me NSW, VicEmergency, etc.)

• Check the daily Fire Danger Rating—it ranges from Low-Moderate to Catastrophic

• On days rated Extreme or Catastrophic, reconsider any plans to visit bushland or regional areas

• Never light fires in bush areas, even in designated fire pits during fire ban periods

• If you're staying in or visiting areas classified as bushfire-prone regions, understand the evacuation plan

• If emergency services issue evacuation warnings, leave immediately—do not wait to assess the situation yourself

  
  

The "leave early" message is critical. People who delay evacuation put themselves and emergency responders at serious risk. If you're told to leave, leave.

Heat Safety

Australian summer temperatures regularly exceed 35-40°C (95-104°F) in many regions, with extreme heat events becoming more common. This isn't weather to underestimate:

• Stay indoors during extreme heat, particularly if you're not yet acclimatised.

• Ensure children, elderly family members, and pets are kept cool.

• Recognise heat exhaustion symptoms: dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat.

• Never leave children or pets in cars, even for "just a minute"—temperatures inside vehicles can become fatal within minutes.

  
  

These safety messages aren't meant to frighten you, but to help you understand that Australia's natural environment—while beautiful—operates differently from what many international families are used to. Treat it with respect, follow local guidance, and teach your children these safety principles from day one.

Settling Realistic Expectations

The most important thing you can do if relocating during the Australian summer period is to set realistic expectations for yourself, your family, and your employer:

Administrative tasks will take longer than they would during other times of the year. Processing times are longer, appointment availability is limited, and some tasks can't be completed until services fully resume.

School and childcare placement may extend into February if you arrive in December or early January. This is normal during this period, not a sign that something is going wrong.

Your adjustment period differs from that of people who arrive during other times of the year. You're settling into a country that's collectively on holiday, which creates both challenges and unexpected benefits.

The Bottom Line

The Australian summer period from mid-December through January creates real logistical challenges for relocating families, however the challenges are manageable with proper planning and realistic expectations. The key is to understand that Australia operates on a different rhythm during this period and adjust your approach and expectations accordingly.

If you have flexibility in your arrival timing, late January or early February provides the smoothest entry point—schools are reopening, businesses are back to their whole operation, the real estate market is active, and you're not immediately facing the complications of the holiday period.

If you're committed to a December or early January arrival, build in extended timelines into your planning, engage your relocation consultant early, extend your temporary accommodation allowance, and prepare your family for a different kind of adjustment.

Either way, remember that millions of Australians successfully navigate this period every year. With proper support and realistic expectations, your family can too.

Planning Your Australian Relocation?

Whether you're relocating during the summer period or another time of year, our team specialises in helping international families navigate Australian school systems, housing markets, and cultural adjustment.

Contact us for a comprehensive assessment of your family's relocation needs, with a realistic timeline and budget expectations tailored to your specific arrival period.

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