Navigating School Holidays: A Strain on Australian Families in 2025

As school holidays approach in 2025, many Australian families find themselves grappling with significant stress and distress. The traditional notion of school holidays as a time for relaxation and family bonding appears to be fading, with working parents struggling to balance their professional responsibilities and childcare needs.

The current landscape of school holidays has shifted dramatically. According to a study conducted by researchers at Sydney University and published in April 2025, a growing number of Australian primary school children are being placed in formal and informal care arrangements during their breaks. These arrangements, defined by the Department of Social Services as private agreements between parents and caregivers, often fail to provide the respite that families desperately need.

UNSW Associate Professor Jane Kohlhoff, a psychologist and mother of three, notes the complexities faced by modern parents. "I think parents are doing their best, but the reality is they can’t stay home for two full weeks because we’ve got to keep working," she stated. Many families, like Kohlhoff’s, find themselves entangled in a cycle of early mornings and structured days, even during school holidays.

This phenomenon is not isolated. Research from the University of South Australia indicates that children are significantly less active during holidays and tend to spend more time in front of screens. Amanda Watson, a lead researcher on the study, highlights alarming statistics: children were found to be 12 minutes less active each day and spent 39 percent more time on screens compared to their school weeks. This lack of physical activity and increased screen time can contribute to negative health outcomes, including accelerated weight gain.

The challenges of school holidays are compounded by economic factors. Families increasingly depend on dual incomes or are single-parent households, making it difficult to take time off during school breaks. ANU demographer Liz Allen points out that many parents feel compelled to choose between their jobs and spending quality time with their children. "We need to come together and be gentler on parents and on ourselves to be able to do this juggle," she said.

The absence of extended family support also exacerbates the situation. Many grandparents either continue to work or choose not to engage in childcare, leaving parents without the traditional support networks that were once commonplace. The Australian Institute of Family Studies reported in 2016 that families living away from extended family or in areas with limited childcare options often face significant challenges.

As the demand for childcare increases, the industry has become a lucrative business. Allen notes that parents are turning to more expensive holiday programs, creating financial strain for families already stretched thin. "This industry is booming, and unfortunately, there are very few subsidized options beyond the city limits," she explained.

The evolution of societal norms has shifted the way children spend their free time. Kohlhoff observes a change where children no longer roam freely in neighborhoods as they once did. Instead, parents, concerned for their children’s safety, feel pressured to keep them engaged in structured activities. This shift, while rooted in valid concerns, limits children’s opportunities for creativity and self-entertainment.

In conclusion, the current school holiday system in Australia appears to be failing both parents and children. As families navigate this critical period, there is an urgent need for policy discussions addressing the challenges of working parents and the broader implications for child development. Enhanced access to flexible childcare options and a reevaluation of holiday structures could provide much-needed relief, allowing families to reclaim the joy and rest that school holidays are meant to deliver.