2025 Public Holidays
A public holiday in Australia is a legally designated day off work that may be nationally celebrated or specific to individual states and territories. These holidays typically allow employees to enjoy a paid day off, in addition to their annual leave entitlements.
For those required to work on public holidays, higher penalty rates of pay often apply. When a public holiday falls on a weekend, it is generally observed on the following Monday, resulting in a long weekend.
Below is a list of the nationally recognised public holidays 2025:
| Public holiday | Date |
| New Year’s Day | Wednesday, 1 January |
| Australia Day | Monday, 27 January |
| Good Friday | Friday, 18 April |
| Day following Good Friday (except TAS & WA) | Saturday, 19 April |
| Easter Sunday (except TAS) | Sunday, 20 April |
| Easter Monday | Monday, 21 April |
| Anzac Day | Tuesday, 25 April |
| Christmas Day | Thursday, 25 December |
| Boxing Day | Friday, 26 December |
Additional public holidays declared by the state and territory governments:
Australian Capital Territory
| Public holiday | Date |
| Canberra Day | Monday, 10 March |
| Reconciliation Day | Monday, 2 June |
| King’s Birthday | Monday, 9 June |
| Labour Day | Monday, 6 October |
*Visit ACT Gov for more info
New South Wales
| Public holiday | Date |
| King’s Birthday | Monday, 9 June |
| Labour Day | Monday, 6 October |
*Visit NSW Gov for more info
Northern Territory
| Public holiday | Date |
| May Day | Monday, 5 May |
| King’s Birthday | Monday, 9 June |
| Alice Springs Show Day* | Friday, 4 July |
| Tennant Creek Show Day * | Friday, 11 July |
| Katherine Show Day* | Friday, 18 July |
| Darwin Show Day* | Friday, 25 July |
| Picnic Day | Monday, 4 August |
| Borroloola Show Day* | Friday, 15 August |
| Christmas Eve (from 7pm to midnight) | Wednesday, 24 December |
| New Year’s Eve (from 7pm to midnight) | Wednesday, 31 December |
* Regional observance only
Visit NT Gov for more info
Queensland
| Public holiday | Date |
| Labour Day | Monday, 5 May |
| Royal Queensland show (Brisbane only) | Wednesday, 13 August |
| King’s Birthday | Monday, 6 October |
| Christmas Eve (from 6pm to midnight) | Wednesday, 24 December |
*Visit Queensland Gov for more info
South Australia
| Public holiday | Date |
| Adelaide Cup Day | Monday, 10 March |
| King’s Birthday | Monday, 9 June |
| Labour Day | Monday, 6 October |
| Christmas Eve (from 7pm to midnight) | Wednesday, 24 December |
| Proclamation Day/Boxing Day | Friday, 26 December |
| New Year’s Eve (from 7pm to midnight) | Wednesday, 31 December |
*Visit SA Gov for more info
Tasmania
| Public holiday | Date |
| Devonport Cup* | Wednesday, 8 January |
| Royal Hobart Regatta* | Monday, 10 February |
| Launceston Cup* | Wednesday, 26 February |
| King Island Show* | Tuesday, 4 March |
| Eight Hours Day | Monday, 10 March |
| Easter Tuesday (Tasmanian Public Service only) | Tuesday, 22 April |
| AGFEST* | Friday, 2 May |
| Recreation Day (areas that don’t observe Royal Hobart Regatta) | Monday, 3 November |
* Regional observance only
Visit Tas Gov for more info
Victoria
| Public holiday | Date |
| Labour Day | Monday, 10 March |
| King’s Birthday | Monday, 9 June |
| AFL Grand Final Friday | TBC |
| Melbourne Cup Day | Tuesday, 4 November |
*Visit Vic Gov for more info
Western Australia
| Public holiday | Date |
| Labour Day | Monday, 3 March |
| Western Australia Day | Monday, 2 June |
| King’s Birthday | Monday, 29 September |
*Visit WA Gov for more info
Important note: The information above is only for public holidays in 2025 and may subject to changes. Please refer to the official website of the Australian government or Fair Work for the latest updates.
Employee Entitlements on Public Holidays
Under the Fair Work Act 2009, employees are entitled to take a day off on public holidays, paid at their base rate of pay for their ordinary hours of work. However, there are some exceptions and conditions:
- Working on a Public Holiday: Employees can be requested to work, provided the request is reasonable. Workers are entitled to penalty rates as specified in their Modern Award or enterprise agreement.
- Casual Employees: Casual workers are generally not entitled to paid leave for public holidays but must receive penalty rates if they work on these days.
- Shift Workers: Shift workers may have additional entitlements, such as higher penalty rates for overnight shifts on public holidays.
Payroll Compliance for Public Holidays
Payroll compliance during public holidays is critical for avoiding penalties and ensuring employee satisfaction. Key considerations include:
- Penalty Rates: Ensure employees working on public holidays are paid the correct rates.
- Leave Loading: Some awards include leave loading, which must be factored into public holiday pay.
- Pro-rata Payments: For part-time employees, payment should be proportional to their ordinary hours.
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