There is still a solid run of public holidays ahead before the end of 2026. A little planning can turn a standard four weeks of leave into long breaks around the spring public holidays and Christmas, with extra wins depending on your state.
The 2026 calendar is kind to anyone working a standard Monday to Friday week. With public holidays falling neatly around weekends, a bit of planning can turn the usual four weeks of annual leave into long stretches away from work.
From here, the big wins come around the spring long weekends and the Christmas to New Year period, with extra upside depending on where you live.
Below is a state-by-state breakdown of the smartest leave plays, and exactly which days to book to get the most time off.
New South Wales
Public holidays 2026
Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
Monday 26 January – Australia Day
Friday 3 April – Good Friday
Saturday 4 April – Easter Saturday
Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday
Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
Saturday 25 April – Anzac Day
Monday 8 June – King’s Birthday
Monday 5 October – Labour Day
Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
Saturday 26 December – Boxing Day
Monday 28 December – Additional public holiday for Boxing Day
How to maximise your leave
Labour Day and Christmas are the opportunities left this year. October’s Labour Day offers a clean nine-day stretch by booking four days off. The end of December is the biggest win, where eight days of leave can deliver 16 days off through to early January.
Victoria
Public holidays 2026
Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
Monday 26 January – Australia Day
Monday 9 March – Labour Day
Friday 3 April – Good Friday
Saturday 4 April – Saturday before Easter Sunday
Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday
Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
Saturday 25 April – Anzac Day
Monday 8 June – King’s Birthday
Date TBC – Friday before the AFL Grand Final
Tuesday 3 November – Melbourne Cup
Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
Saturday 26 December – Boxing Day
Monday 28 December – Additional public holiday for Boxing Day
How to maximise your leave
Melbourne Cup week is one of the strongest plays left this year, where four days off can unlock nine days away. Christmas to New Year mirrors NSW, with a 16-day stretch possible by booking leave either side of the public holidays.
Queensland
Public holidays 2026
Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
Monday 26 January – Australia Day
Friday 3 April – Good Friday
Saturday 4 April – The day after Good Friday
Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday
Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
Saturday 25 April – Anzac Day
Monday 4 May – Labour Day
Wednesday 12 August – Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane area only)
Monday 5 October – King’s Birthday
Thursday 24 December – Christmas Eve (from 6pm to midnight)
Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
Saturday 26 December – Boxing Day
Monday 28 December – Additional public holiday for Boxing Day
How to maximise your leave
For Brisbane workers, the Ekka public holiday on 12 August is the next chance to build a break with just a few days booked. October’s King’s Birthday allows a nine-day stretch with minimal leave, and the Christmas to New Year period delivers the longest run of the year.
Australian Capital Territory
Public holidays 2026
Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
Monday 26 January – Australia Day
Monday 9 March – Canberra Day
Friday 3 April – Good Friday
Saturday 4 April – Easter Saturday
Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday
Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
Monday 27 April – Anzac Day
Monday 1 June – Reconciliation Day
Monday 8 June – King’s Birthday
Monday 5 October – Labour Day
Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
Saturday 26 December – Boxing Day
Monday 28 December – Additional public holiday for Boxing Day
How to maximise your leave
Labour Day in October offers a clean nine-day break with four days of leave. As with most states, Christmas and New Year deliver the longest continuous time off if leave is used well.
South Australia
Public holidays 2026
Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
Monday 26 January – Australia Day
Monday 9 March – Adelaide Cup Day
Friday 3 April – Good Friday
Saturday 4 April – Easter Saturday
Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday
Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
Saturday 25 April – Anzac Day
Monday 8 June – King’s Birthday
Monday 5 October – Labour Day
Thursday 24 December – Christmas Eve (from 7pm to midnight)
Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
Saturday 26 December – Proclamation Day holiday / Boxing Day
Monday 28 December – Additional public holiday for Proclamation Day / Boxing Day
Thursday 31 December – New Year’s Eve (from 7pm to midnight)
How to maximise your leave
October’s Labour Day is an easy way to secure a nine-day run with four days of leave. The late December public holidays give South Australians one of the longest end-of-year shutdowns if leave is used either side.
Western Australia
Public holidays 2026
Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
Monday 26 January – Australia Day
Monday 2 March – Labour Day
Friday 3 April – Good Friday
Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday
Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
Saturday 25 April – Anzac Day
Monday 27 April – Additional public holiday for Anzac Day
Monday 1 June – Western Australia Day
Monday 28 September – King’s Birthday
Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
Saturday 26 December – Boxing Day
Monday 28 December – Additional public holiday for Boxing Day
How to maximise your leave
September’s King’s Birthday and the Christmas period provide solid opportunities for extended time off, with four days of leave around the King’s Birthday unlocking a nine-day break.
Tasmania
Public holidays 2026
Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
Monday 26 January – Australia Day
Monday 9 February – Royal Hobart Regatta (selected areas)
Monday 9 March – Eight Hours Day
Friday 3 April – Good Friday
Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
Tuesday 7 April – Easter Tuesday (generally public service only)
Saturday 25 April – Anzac Day
Monday 8 June – King’s Birthday
Thursday 22 October – Royal Hobart Show (selected areas)
Monday 2 November – Recreation Day (selected areas)
Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
Monday 28 December – Boxing Day
How to maximise your leave
In selected areas, the Royal Hobart Show in October and Recreation Day in early November both offer late-year long weekends. The standard Christmas to New Year stretch then remains the longest break of the year.
Northern Territory
Public holidays 2026
Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
Monday 26 January – Australia Day
Friday 3 April – Good Friday
Saturday 4 April – Easter Saturday
Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday
Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
Saturday 25 April – Anzac Day
Monday 4 May – May Day
Monday 8 June – King’s Birthday
Monday 3 August – Picnic Day
Thursday 24 December – Christmas Eve (from 7pm to midnight)
Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
Saturday 26 December – Boxing Day
Monday 28 December – Additional public holiday for Boxing Day
Thursday 31 December – New Year’s Eve (from 7pm to midnight)
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