Planning your 2026 break calendar yet? Australians can expect 10 to 13 full-day public holidays next year, depending on the state or territory you live in. time. In fact, that’s 13 when you count in regional show-days and part-day holidays.
And 7 of those are national holidays – from New Year’s Day to Boxing Day – so every Australian gets at least a few long weekends.
As we look to 2026, planning your annual leave, family holidays or business closures gets a whole lot easier when you know the public holiday calendar. Whether you’re in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth or anywhere in between, this guide has got you covered. In this article we’ll cover:
- National public holidays 2026
- State/territory additional holidays (key ones)
- Tips for using your leave and business operations
- What to check (and remember) when using the dates
National Public Holidays 2026 in Australia
These are the holidays every Australian can mark on their calendar — no matter which state or territory you live in.
- New Year’s Day – 1 January (Thursday)
- Australia Day – 26 January (Monday)
- Good Friday – 3 April (Friday)
- Easter Sunday – 5 April (Sunday)
- Easter Monday – 6 April (Monday)
- Anzac Day – 25 April (Saturday)
- King’s Birthday – 8 June (Monday)
- Christmas Day – 25 December (Friday)
- Boxing Day – 26 December (Saturday)
- Additional Holiday for Boxing Day – 28 December (Monday)
Note: King’s Birthday is observed nationally, but the date may vary in Western Australia.
2026 Public Holidays in Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Unique holidays in the ACT for 2026 include:
- Canberra Day – 9 March (Monday)
- Easter Saturday – 4 April (Saturday)
- Reconciliation Day – 1 June (Monday)
- Labour Day – 5 October (Monday)
New South Wales (NSW) Public Holidays in 2026
In addition to the national dates, NSW celebrates:
- Easter Saturday – 4 April (Saturday)
- Labour Day – 5 October (Monday)
Public Holidays in Northern Territory (NT) 2026
The Northern Territory features several unique regional holidays and part-day observances:
- Easter Saturday – 4 April (Saturday)
- May Day – 4 May (Monday)
- Picnic Day – 3 August (Monday)
- Christmas Eve (Part-Day) – 24 December (Thursday, 7 pm – midnight)
- New Year’s Eve (Part-Day) – 31 December (Thursday, 7 pm – midnight)
Queensland (QLD) Public Holidays 2026
Along with the national holidays, Queenslanders enjoy:
- Day after Good Friday – 4 April (Saturday)
- Labour Day – 4 May (Monday)
- Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane Only) – 12 August (Wednesday)
- King’s Birthday – 5 October (Monday, different from WA date)
- Christmas Eve (Part-Day) – 24 December (Thursday, 6 pm – midnight)
2026 Public Holidays in South Australia (SA)
South Australians observe a blend of traditional and regional holidays:
- Adelaide Cup Day – 9 March (Monday)
- Easter Saturday – 4 April (Saturday)
- Labour Day – 5 October (Monday)
- Proclamation Day / Boxing Day – 26 December (Saturday)
- Christmas Eve (Part-Day) – 24 December (Thursday, 7 pm – midnight)
- New Year’s Eve (Part-Day) – 31 December (Thursday, 7 pm – midnight)
Tasmania (TAS) Public Holidays 2026
Tasmania’s regional diversity brings several unique public holidays:
- Royal Hobart Regatta (Southern Areas Only) – 9 February (Monday)
- Eight Hours Day – 9 March (Monday)
- Easter Tuesday (Public Service Only) – 7 April (Tuesday)
- King’s Birthday – 8 June (Monday, same as national)
- Royal Hobart Show (Hobart Only) – 22 October (Thursday)
- Recreation Day (Non-Regatta Areas) – 2 November (Monday)
Public Holidays in Victoria (VIC) 2026
Victorians enjoy a combination of cultural and sporting holidays:
- Labour Day – 9 March (Monday)
- Saturday Before Easter Sunday – 4 April (Saturday)
- Friday Before AFL Grand Final – (Date TBC – likely September)
- Melbourne Cup Day – 3 November (Tuesday)
Western Australia (WA) Public Holidays in 2026
WA’s calendar features several key regional variations:
- Labour Day – 2 March (Monday)
- Easter Sunday – 5 April (Sunday, state-specific observance)
- Additional Holiday for Anzac Day – 27 April (Monday)
- Western Australia Day – 1 June (Monday)
- King’s Birthday (Regional Date) – 28 September (Monday)
Making the Most of Your 2026 Holidays
Plan Long Weekends in Advance
Make the most of long breaks by scheduling Mondays or Fridays off around public holidays. Easter in 2026 – 3rd to 6th of April to be exact – gives you a four-day weekend for free, and adding a couple of annual leave days either side of public holidays is all it takes to turn them into a mini break.
Book Travel Early
Some popular destinations such as the Gold Coast, Mornington Peninsula and Margaret River tend to get booked up fast around public holidays. Booking your flights and accommodation in advance will save you both money and a whole lot of grief.
Update Business Calendars
If you own a business or have staff based in multiple states, make sure your rosters take into account your local public holidays. And just to remind you – penalty rates apply on these days under the Fair Work Act – so don’t get caught out. For multi state teams – the best thing is to sync up your HR systems with each jurisdiction’s own schedule to make sure you are compliant.
Mind the Regional Variations
Certain holidays – like show days or specific sporting events – only apply in certain areas, so make sure you check your local government’s public holiday page to confirm the dates for your area before you start making plans.
Use Part-Day Holidays Wisely
Some states like Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory – have half days on days like Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve from the evening onwards – just perfect for wrapping up business or getting the party started a little early.
Quick Planning Tips for 2026
- Easter 2026: 3-6 April – a nice long four-day break.
- Christmas 2026: Falls perfectly for a long weekend from 25th to 28th December.
- Early Winter Break: Pair Kings Birthday (8 June) with some annual leave for a nice 5 day holiday.
- Part Day Holidays: SA, NT and QLD have those evening holidays on Christmas and New Year’s Eve – which can come in handy for an early finish.
Why Do Public Holidays Matter?
Public holidays are a pretty big deal in this country, and it’s all to do with our diverse culture and values. Days like Anzac Day bring our nation together and give us a moment to reflect on the past, while events like the Melbourne Cup are just all about community and sport. They also give us a much needed break, which helps reduce burnout and lets us get on top of our work life balance.
For business owners, these dates are pretty critical for getting into a good retail sales flow, tourism traffic and event planning. And for families – they’re the perfect time to make some memories and do something special together
Final Word
The 2026 public holiday calendar has got a pretty good balance of national and regional breaks spread out over the year. From the Easter long weekend to the iconic Melbourne Cup and WA Day, there is no shortage of time to rest, get away, or just have a bit of a celebration.
For all the official confirmation and updates – you really need to check out the Fair Work Ombudsman for 2026 Public Holidays.
Plan ahead, travel smart and who knows – maybe 2026 will be one of those years that really works for you.
