Apple has officially launched its 2026 'Back to School' promotion in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and South Korea, running from January 6 to March 11. This annual initiative offers free or discounted accessories to qualifying higher-education students and staff with the purchase of select new Mac or iPad devices. The deal structure mirrors previous years, allowing customers to claim a base accessory for free or pay an upgrade fee for premium gear.

For instance, in Australia, purchasing an iPad Air or Pro grants a free Apple Pencil Pro or AirPods 4. Mac buyers can secure free AirPods 4 with ANC, a Magic Mouse, Trackpad, or Keyboard, with an option to upgrade to AirPods Pro 3 for a fee. This promotion is stackable with existing educational discounts and up to 10% off AppleCare+ plans, making it a strategic time for students to invest in tech for the upcoming academic year.