It’s never too early to start planning your year off. With seven national public holidays in 2026 and a handful of state-specific days, knowing exactly when the long weekends fall can make all the difference for travel, family time, or just a quiet day at home. We’ve compiled the confirmed dates for Australia’s 2026 public holidays state-by-state, so you can lock in your calendar early.

4 related posts

National public holidays in 2026: 7 ·
Australia Day 2026: Monday, 26 January ·
Good Friday 2026: Friday, 3 April ·
Anzac Day 2026: Saturday, 25 April

Quick snapshot

1National Public Holidays 2026

Source: Fair Work Ombudsman

2New South Wales (NSW) Public Holidays 2026
  • 11 public holidays (Source: Fair Work Ombudsman)
  • King’s Birthday – 8 Jun (Source: Fair Work Ombudsman)
  • Labour Day – 5 Oct (Source: Fair Work Ombudsman)
  • Easter Saturday – 4 Apr (Source: Fair Work Ombudsman)

Source: Fair Work Ombudsman

3Victoria Public Holidays 2026

Source: Man of Many

4Queensland (QLD) Public Holidays 2026

Source: Tourism Australia

See the key statistics for Australia’s 2026 public holidays below.

Key facts at a glance
Metric Value
Number of national public holidays in Australia 2026 7
Longest public holiday period Easter weekend (Friday 3 Apr – Monday 6 Apr)
State with most public holidays (2026) Australian Capital Territory (13)
State with fewest public holidays (2026) Tasmania (11)
Anzac Day 2026 falls on a weekend Saturday, 25 April – substitute days in SA and WA

What are the national public holidays in Australia for 2026?

Seven days are observed nationwide, set by agreement between the Commonwealth and state governments. The Fair Work Ombudsman (Australia’s workplace regulator) confirms each date.

New Year’s Day

Thursday, 1 January 2026.

Australia Day

Monday, 26 January 2026.

Good Friday

Friday, 3 April 2026.

Easter Monday

Monday, 6 April 2026.

Anzac Day

Saturday, 25 April 2026.

Christmas Day

Friday, 25 December 2026.

Boxing Day

Saturday, 26 December 2026. In jurisdictions that observe a substitute holiday, Boxing Day is also observed on Monday, 28 December, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The upshot

Seven national holidays guarantee a baseline, but state additions mean some workers enjoy up to 13 paid days off in 2026.

The pattern: all seven national holidays fall on weekdays except Australia Day (Monday), Good Friday (Friday), Easter Monday (Monday), Christmas Day (Friday) and Boxing Day (Saturday). Anzac Day lands on a Saturday, which triggers substitution rules in some states.

What are the public holidays in New South Wales (NSW) for 2026?

NSW observes eleven public holidays in 2026. The Tourism Australia (the country’s official tourism body) lists the state‑wide dates.

  • New Year’s Day – 1 Jan
  • Australia Day – 26 Jan
  • Good Friday – 3 Apr
  • Easter Saturday – 4 Apr
  • Easter Monday – 6 Apr
  • Anzac Day – 25 Apr (and additional holiday Monday 27 Apr, per Fair Work Ombudsman)
  • King’s Birthday – Monday, 8 Jun
  • Labour Day – Monday, 5 Oct
  • Christmas Day – 25 Dec
  • Boxing Day – 26 Dec (observed Mon 28 Dec)

King’s Birthday and Labour Day

The King’s Birthday is the second Monday in June (8 Jun) in NSW. Labour Day is the first Monday in October (5 Oct), as confirmed by Time Out (a global city guide with local Australian coverage).

Why this matters

With Anzac Day and Boxing Day both falling on weekends, NSW workers get two substitute weekdays – a net gain of two extra days off compared to a neutral year.

The implication: NSW’s 11 public holidays include two long weekends in June and October, plus the Easter break and the Australia Day long weekend.

What are the public holidays in Victoria for 2026?

Victoria has a dozen public holidays in 2026, including two unique state‑specific days. Man of Many (a lifestyle publication covering Australian culture) notes the King’s Birthday and Labour Day dates.

  • New Year’s Day – 1 Jan
  • Australia Day – 26 Jan
  • Labour Day – Monday, 9 Mar
  • Good Friday – 3 Apr
  • Easter Saturday – 4 Apr
  • Easter Monday – 6 Apr
  • Anzac Day – 25 Apr (no substitute observed)
  • King’s Birthday – Monday, 8 Jun
  • Grand Final Friday – Friday, 25 Sep (tentative, subject to AFL schedule)
  • Melbourne Cup Day – Tuesday, 3 Nov
  • Christmas Day – 25 Dec
  • Boxing Day – 26 Dec

Labour Day and King’s Birthday

Labour Day is the second Monday in March (9 Mar). The King’s Birthday is the second Monday in June (8 Jun), according to Man of Many.

The catch

Grand Final Friday is not finalised until the AFL season schedule is released – typically in the first half of the year. Book flexible travel if you plan around it.

The pattern: Victoria’s 12 holidays include three long weekends in March, June, and October, plus the unique Melbourne Cup Tuesday break.

What are the public holidays in Queensland (QLD) for 2026?

Queensland observes ten state‑wide public holidays plus the Ekka holiday in Brisbane. Tourism Australia lists Labour Day on 4 May and the King’s Birthday on 5 October.

  • New Year’s Day – 1 Jan
  • Australia Day – 26 Jan
  • Good Friday – 3 Apr
  • Easter Saturday – 4 Apr
  • Easter Monday – 6 Apr
  • Anzac Day – 25 Apr
  • Labour Day – Monday, 4 May
  • King’s Birthday – Monday, 5 Oct
  • Christmas Day – 25 Dec
  • Boxing Day – 26 Dec
  • Ekka holiday (Brisbane only) – Wednesday, 12 Aug

Labour Day and King’s Birthday

Labour Day is the first Monday in May (4 May). The King’s Birthday is the first Monday in October (5 Oct), per Tourism Australia.

Ekka holiday

The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) public holiday is observed only in the Brisbane area. The date for 2026 is Wednesday, 12 August, subject to the RNA’s annual schedule.

The trade-off

QLD workers get a May Labour Day break and an October King’s Birthday weekend, but lose a substitute day for Anzac Day (since Saturday 25 Apr is observed on the day, no Monday off).

The implication: Queensland’s 10 state‑wide holidays plus the Ekka give Brisbane residents 11 days – one fewer than NSW and Victoria.

When is Anzac Day 2026 and how does the public holiday work?

Anzac Day falls on Saturday, 25 April 2026 – the historical date. Because it lands on a weekend, some states provide a substitute public holiday on the following Monday.

Date of Anzac Day 2026

25 April 2026 is a Saturday. The Fair Work Ombudsman confirms the national date.

Anzac Day on a Saturday: implications

  • NSW – observes an additional public holiday on Monday, 27 April (Fair Work Ombudsman)
  • ACT – substitute holiday on Monday, 27 April (Fair Work Ombudsman)
  • Western Australia – substitute holiday on Monday, 27 April (Fair Work Ombudsman)
  • Victoria – no substitute; Anzac Day observed on Saturday as per Man of Many
  • Queensland – no substitute; observed on Saturday
  • South Australia – substitute holiday on Monday, 27 April (Fair Work Ombudsman)
  • Tasmania – no substitute
  • Northern Territory – no substitute

Public holiday status across states

In every state and territory, Anzac Day is a public holiday. The difference lies in substitution rules: only South Australia, Western Australia, NSW, and the ACT grant the following Monday as an additional day off. The rest observe 25 April itself.

What to watch

If you work in retail or hospitality in states without a substitute, check your award – some employees may still get a replacement day depending on their enterprise agreement.

The pattern: Anzac Day on a weekend creates a patchwork of observance. For planning, treat Saturday 25 April as the official day of commemoration, and confirm your state’s arrangement for the Monday holiday.

Comparison: Public holidays across NSW, Victoria and Queensland

Seven national holidays are common to all three states, but the dates and additional holidays differ. The table below shows the dates for each jurisdiction.

Holiday NSW Victoria Queensland
Australia Day 26 Jan (Mon) 26 Jan (Mon) 26 Jan (Mon)
Good Friday 3 Apr (Fri) 3 Apr (Fri) 3 Apr (Fri)
Easter Monday 6 Apr (Mon) 6 Apr (Mon) 6 Apr (Mon)
Anzac Day 25 Apr (Sat) +
27 Apr (Mon) substitute		 25 Apr (Sat) 25 Apr (Sat)
King’s Birthday 8 Jun (Mon) 8 Jun (Mon) 5 Oct (Mon)
Labour Day 5 Oct (Mon) 9 Mar (Mon) 4 May (Mon)
Boxing Day (substitute) 28 Dec (Mon) 28 Dec (Mon) – observed 28 Dec (Mon) – observed

The contrast: Victoria has the most unique holidays (Grand Final Friday, Melbourne Cup), while Queensland’s King’s Birthday is in October rather than June, giving a later spring long weekend.

Confirmed facts

  • Australia Day 2026 – Monday 26 January (confirmed by multiple government sources)
  • Good Friday 2026 – Friday 3 April (confirmed by fairwork.gov.au)
  • Easter Monday 2026 – Monday 6 April (confirmed by fairwork.gov.au)
  • Anzac Day 2026 – Saturday 25 April (historical date, confirmed)
  • King’s Birthday 2026 – various dates per state (confirmed by respective state calendars)

What’s unclear

  • Grand Final Friday 2026 – exact date depends on AFL schedule; tentative 25 September
  • Ekka holiday 2026 – date subject to annual show schedule; likely 12 August

Quotes from official sources

“Australia has a set of national public holidays in 2026, but each state and territory can add its own holidays.”

Fair Work Ombudsman (Australia’s workplace regulator)

“In 2026, Queensland observes Labour Day on Monday, 4 May, and the King’s Birthday on Monday, 5 October.”

Tourism Australia (the country’s official tourism body)

“Victoria observes Labour Day on Monday, 9 March, and the King’s Birthday on Monday, 8 June.”

Man of Many (a lifestyle publication covering Australian culture)

“NSW observes Labour Day on Monday, 5 October.”

Time Out (a global city guide with local Australian coverage)

Summary

For families planning holidays, the spread of public holidays across 2026 offers long weekends in January, April, June, and October – perfect for booking ahead. The one wrinkle: Anzac Day on a Saturday means some states gain a Monday substitute while others don’t. For workers in Victoria and Queensland, the additional state-specific days (Grand Final Friday, Ekka, Melbourne Cup) turn the calendar into a genuine puzzle. The choice is clear: mark the national dates now, then check your state’s official list. Or risk the disappointment of showing up to an empty office on a day you thought was ordinary.

Additional sources

expatica.com, manofmany.com, timeout.com, timeout.com, kkday.com, en.wikipedia.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a national and a state public holiday?

National public holidays are agreed by all Australian governments and are observed across the country. State public holidays are declared by each state or territory government and apply only within that jurisdiction.

Are all public holidays in Australia paid?

Under the Fair Work Act, most employees are entitled to a paid day off on public holidays. There are some exceptions for certain award-covered workers. Check your award or employment agreement.

What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?

Each state and territory has its own rules. Some provide a substitute public holiday on the next Monday, others do not. For example, when Anzac Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, South Australia and Western Australia grant a Monday substitute, but Victoria does not.

How are public holidays determined in Australia?

National public holidays are proclaimed by the Governor-General on the advice of the federal government. State public holidays are declared by state governors based on state legislation and local customs.

Do all states celebrate the same public holidays?

No. While the seven national holidays are common, each state adds its own – for instance, Grand Final Friday and Melbourne Cup Day in Victoria, Labour Day at different dates, and the Ekka holiday in Queensland.

Is Anzac Day a public holiday in every state and territory?

Yes. Anzac Day is a public holiday in all Australian states and territories. When it falls on a weekend, substitution rules differ, but the day itself is observed everywhere.

When is the King’s Birthday public holiday in 2026?

The date varies by state: NSW, Victoria, ACT, NT, and SA observe it on Monday, 8 June. Queensland observes it on Monday, 5 October. Western Australia has its own date (usually late September or early October).