Easter is fast approaching, and with it comes one of the best chances to stretch your annual leave further. Here’s how to map out the 2026 public holiday calendar and turn a handful of days off into extended breaks.
Good Friday falls on 3 April. Workers who book the four days in between – Tuesday 7 to Friday 10 April – alongside the four-day Easter long weekend can take 10 consecutive days off for the cost of just four days of annual leave. It is the best leave trade of 2026.
But Easter is only the start. Australia has at least 11 public holidays this year, with some states and territories observing as many as 15. The dates vary depending on where you live. Queensland observes the King’s Birthday in October, Western Australia in September, and most other states in June. The ACT has the most holidays of any state, with Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day sitting on top of the national calendar.
The Christmas and New Year period is also well-positioned this year. Boxing Day is observed on Monday 28 December, and workers who book the days either side of both breaks can pocket 16 days off for seven days of leave.
Use our Leave Maximiser below to see every public holiday in your state and find the best break opportunities for your leave balance.
Public Holiday Snapshot
NSW public holidays 2026
New South Wales has 11 public holidays in 2026, including the King’s Birthday on Monday 8 June and Labour Day on Monday 5 October.
Victoria public holidays 2026
Victoria has 12 public holidays in 2026, including Labour Day on Monday 9 March, Melbourne Cup Day on the first Tuesday in November, and AFL Grand Final Eve on a date to be confirmed in late September or early October.
Queensland public holidays 2026
Queensland has 12 public holidays in 2026. Labour Day falls on Monday 4 May, and the King’s Birthday is observed on Monday 5 October. Brisbane residents also get the Ekka Day show holiday in mid-August.
Western Australia public holidays 2026
Western Australia has 11 public holidays in 2026, including Labour Day on Monday 2 March, Western Australia Day on Monday 1 June, and the King’s Birthday on Monday 28 September. WA also observes a substitute Monday for ANZAC Day on 27 April, which most other states do not.
South Australia public holidays 2026
South Australia has 13 public holidays in 2026, including partial public holidays on Christmas Eve (from 7pm on 24 December) and New Year’s Eve (from 7pm on 31 December). The Adelaide Cup falls on Monday 9 March.
Tasmania public holidays 2026
Tasmania has 11 public holidays statewide in 2026, with Eight Hours Day on Monday 9 March. The Royal Hobart Regatta on Monday 9 February applies to southern Tasmania only.
ACT public holidays 2026
The ACT has 15 public holidays in 2026 – more than any other state or territory. Residents observe Canberra Day on Monday 9 March, Reconciliation Day on Monday 1 June, and Family and Community Day on Monday 5 October.
Northern Territory public holidays 2026
The Northern Territory has 11 public holidays in 2026, including May Day on Monday 4 May and Picnic Day on the first Monday in August.
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