Australia has 7 nationally observed public holidays in 2026 — but each state and territory adds its own holidays, taking the total to 8-12 days off depending on where you live. Western Australia gets the fewest, ACT and Victoria the most.
For the interactive calendar, see Australia 2026 holidays.
Quick reference: 7 nationwide public holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thu | New Year's Day |
| 26 January | Mon | Australia Day |
| 3 April | Fri | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Mon | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | Sat | Anzac Day |
| 25 December | Fri | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Sat → 28 Dec Mon | Boxing Day (substitute) |
State-by-state holiday lists 2026
New South Wales (10 days)
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thu | New Year's Day |
| 26 January | Mon | Australia Day |
| 3 April | Fri | Good Friday |
| 4 April | Sat | Easter Saturday |
| 6 April | Mon | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | Sat | Anzac Day |
| 8 June | Mon | King's Birthday |
| 5 October | Mon | Labour Day |
| 25 December | Fri | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Mon | Boxing Day (substitute for Sat 26 Dec) |
Victoria (11 days)
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thu | New Year's Day |
| 26 January | Mon | Australia Day |
| 9 March | Mon | Labour Day |
| 3 April | Fri | Good Friday |
| 4 April | Sat | Easter Saturday |
| 5 April | Sun | Easter Sunday |
| 6 April | Mon | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | Sat | Anzac Day |
| 8 June | Mon | King's Birthday |
| 2 October | Fri | AFL Grand Final Friday (date TBC) |
| 3 November | Tue | Melbourne Cup Day (Melbourne metro only) |
| 25 December | Fri | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Mon | Boxing Day (substitute) |
Queensland (10 days)
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thu | New Year's Day |
| 26 January | Mon | Australia Day |
| 3 April | Fri | Good Friday |
| 4 April | Sat | Easter Saturday |
| 6 April | Mon | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | Sat | Anzac Day |
| 4 May | Mon | Labour Day |
| 5 October | Mon | King's Birthday |
| 25 December | Fri | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Mon | Boxing Day (substitute) |
Plus: Brisbane Show Day (variable), Cairns Show Day (Aug), Townsville Show Day (Jul).
Western Australia (9 days)
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thu | New Year's Day |
| 26 January | Mon | Australia Day |
| 2 March | Mon | Labour Day |
| 3 April | Fri | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Mon | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | Sat | Anzac Day |
| 1 June | Mon | Western Australia Day |
| 28 September | Mon | King's Birthday (last Monday Sept) |
| 25 December | Fri | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Mon | Boxing Day (substitute) |
South Australia (10 days)
Similar to NSW, plus:
- Adelaide Cup Day (Mon 9 March 2026)
- Christmas Eve part-day (24 Dec from 7pm)
- Proclamation Day (Mon 28 Dec) — separate from Boxing Day substitute
Tasmania (10 days)
Similar to NSW. Key additions:
- Eight Hours Day (Mon 9 March) — equivalent of other states' Labour Day
- Recreation Day (Mon 2 November) — northern Tasmania only
- Royal Hobart Show Day (Thu 22 October) — southern Tasmania
Australian Capital Territory (11 days)
Includes:
- Canberra Day (Mon 9 March 2026)
- Reconciliation Day (Mon 1 June 2026) — Australia's newest public holiday
Northern Territory (10 days)
Includes:
- May Day (Mon 4 May 2026)
- Picnic Day (Mon 3 August 2026) — territory-wide
- Plus regional Show Days
Australia Day — 26 January 2026
Falls on Monday 26 January 2026. Marks the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove. Increasingly controversial as Indigenous Australians refer to it as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day." Many cities now hold dual ceremonies — official Australia Day events and Indigenous remembrance marches.
ANZAC Day — Saturday 25 April 2026
Honors Australians and New Zealanders who served in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. Anniversary of the 1915 Gallipoli landings. Dawn services held at war memorials nationwide.
Because 25 April falls on Saturday in 2026, most states do not grant a Monday substitute (unlike most other holidays). Some states (NSW, ACT) do.
AFL Grand Final Friday — Victoria
Victoria's unique public holiday — the Friday before the AFL Grand Final (Australian Football League). For 2026, this is expected to be Friday 2 October, though the exact date depends on the AFL season's final-round results.
Created in 2015 by the Andrews government. Polarizing — sports fans love it, businesses critical of lost productivity.
Melbourne Cup Day — Tuesday 3 November 2026
Public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne only (not the rest of Victoria, not other states). "The race that stops a nation" — 3,200m thoroughbred horse race at Flemington Racecourse since 1861.
Even in non-Melbourne areas of Australia, many workplaces give a long lunch or early close for the race.
Long weekends 2026 Australia
Major long-weekend opportunities:
| Long weekend | States | Days |
|---|---|---|
| 24-26 Jan | All states | 3 days (Australia Day Mon) |
| 2-9 Mar | VIC, TAS, SA, WA | 3 days (Labour Day variants) |
| 3-6 Apr | All states | 4 days (Easter) |
| 25-26 Apr | NSW, ACT | 2 days (Anzac Day weekend) |
| 6-8 Jun | NSW, ACT, VIC, NT, etc. | 3 days (King's Birthday) |
| 3-5 Oct | NSW, ACT, SA, NT | 3 days (Labour Day NSW etc.) |
| 25-28 Dec | All states | 4 days (Christmas) |
For maximum-leverage cuti planning, see Australia long weekends 2026.
Working on public holidays — pay rules
Australia's Fair Work Act requires premium pay for hours worked on public holidays — typically 2.5x your normal rate (your normal rate + 150% loading).
Exceptions:
- Casual workers may not qualify for the day off but should still get penalty rates
- Award-based industries (retail, hospitality, healthcare) have specific rules in their modern award
Banking and postal services
All major banks close on public holidays. Australia Post does not deliver. Stock market (ASX) closes on all federal public holidays.
Related references
- Australia 2026 holidays calendar
- Australia long weekends 2026
- New Zealand 2026 holidays
- ANZAC Day holiday detail
- Australia Day detail
- Melbourne Cup detail
- Indigenous Peoples Day Worldwide
State public holiday lists set by state Public Holidays Acts. AFL Grand Final Friday date confirmed closer to grand final week. Verify with your state government website.