Public Holidays Australia 2026: State Dates and Long Weekend Planning
Check 2026 Australian public holidays with state and territory dates for NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT and NT, plus long weekends.
Public Holidays Australia 2026: Key Dates
Public holiday dates in Australia vary by state and territory. Always check your state-specific calendar rather than relying on national-only references — some dates differ and substitute days can apply when holidays fall on weekends.
Key 2026 Dates
| Holiday | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | National |
| Australia Day | 26 January | National (observed dates may vary) |
| Good Friday | 3 April | National |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | National |
| Anzac Day | 25 April | National (observed 27 April in some regions) |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | National |
| Boxing Day | 28 December | Substitute (26 Dec falls on Saturday) |
Long Weekend and Annual Leave Planning
A single annual leave day can connect a public holiday to a weekend, creating a 4-day break. Planning these early — especially around Easter, Anzac Day and Christmas — is important given high demand for leave in those periods.
- Easter 2026: Good Friday 3 April + Easter Monday 6 April — take Tue 7 Apr for a 5-day break
- Anzac Day 2026: Saturday 25 April — check your state for the observed Monday
- Christmas–New Year: strategic leave between 28 Dec and 1 Jan can create 10+ days off
Public Holiday Pay Planning
Employees may have different entitlements when they work, don't work, or are asked to work on a public holiday — depending on their award or enterprise agreement. Key considerations:
- Ordinary time workers typically receive a paid day off on public holidays
- Working on a public holiday may attract penalty rates (commonly double time or double-time-and-a-half)
- Casual employees may have different entitlements — check your award
- Part-time employees are entitled to public holidays that fall on their ordinary work days
Fair Work Australia's Pay and Conditions Tool can confirm your specific public holiday entitlements based on your award and employment type.
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