What is a public holiday in Australia?
A public holiday in Australia refers to a designated day off work that is recognized by law. These holidays can be nationally celebrated days or specific holidays observed in each state and territory.
They are non-working days, and employees typically receive full paid leave in addition to their annual leave entitlements. Workers who are required to work on public holidays are often entitled to additional penalty rates of pay.
When a public holiday falls on a weekend, it is commonly observed on the following Monday, creating a long weekend.
How many public holidays are there in Australia?
Australia celebrates seven national public holidays that are recognized across all eight states and territories.Additionally, each state and territory may have its own specific public holidays, which can vary in number and timing.
Public holiday 2024
The nationally recognised public holidays are:
|
Public holiday |
Date |
| New Year’s Day |
Sunday, 1 January |
|
Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day |
Monday, 2 January |
|
Australia Day |
Thursday, 26 January |
|
Good Friday |
Friday, 7 April |
| Day following Good Friday |
Saturday, 8 April |
|
Easter Sunday |
Sunday, 9 April |
|
Easter Monday |
Monday, 10 April |
| Anzac Day |
Tuesday, 25 April |
| Christmas Day |
Monday, 25 December |
| Boxing Day |
Tuesday, 26 December |
Other public holidays declared by the state and territory governments:
Australian Capital Territory
|
Public Holiday |
Date |
|
New Year’s Day |
Monday, 1 January |
|
Australia Day |
Friday, 26 January |
| Good Friday |
Friday, 29 March |
|
Easter Saturday |
Saturday, 30 March |
|
Easter Sunday |
Sunday, 31 March |
| Easter Monday |
Monday, 1 April |
| Anzac Day |
Thursday, 25 April |
|
King’s Birthday |
Monday, 10 June |
|
Labour Day |
Monday, 7 October |
| Christmas Day |
Wednesday, 25 December |
| Boxing Day |
Thursday, 26 December |
*For more information:ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
New South Wales
|
Public Holiday |
Date |
|
New Year’s Day |
Monday, 1 January |
|
Australia Day |
Friday, 26 January |
| Good Friday |
Friday, 29 March |
|
Easter Saturday |
Saturday, 30 March |
|
Easter Sunday |
Sunday, 31 March |
|
Easter Monday |
Monday, 1 April |
| Anzac Day |
Thursday, 25 April |
| King’s Birthday |
Monday, 10 June |
| Labour Day |
Monday, 7 October |
| Christmas Day |
Wednesday, 25 December |
| Boxing Day |
Thursday, 26 December |
*For more information:NSW Government
Northern Territory
|
Public Holiday |
Date |
|
New Year’s Day |
Monday, 1 January |
|
Australia Day |
Friday, 26 January |
| Good Friday |
Friday, 29 March |
| Easter Saturday |
Saturday, 30 March |
| Easter Sunday |
Sunday, 31 March |
|
Easter Monday |
Monday, 1 April |
|
Anzac Day |
Thursday, 25 April |
|
May Day |
Monday, 6 May |
|
June Public Holiday |
Monday, 10 June |
| Picnic Day |
Monday, 5 August |
| Christmas Eve |
Tuesday, 24 December |
|
Christmas Day |
Wednesday, 25 December |
|
Boxing Day |
Thursday, 26 December |
| New Year’s Eve |
Tuesday, 31 December |
*For more information: NT Government
Queensland
|
Public Holiday |
Date |
| New Year’s Day |
Monday, 1 January |
|
Australia Day |
Friday, 26 January |
|
Good Friday |
Friday, 29 March |
|
The day after Good Friday |
Saturday, 30 March |
| Easter Sunday |
Sunday, 31 March |
| Easter Monday |
Monday, 1 April |
| Anzac Day |
Thursday, 25 April |
|
Labour Day |
Monday, 6 May |
|
Royal Queensland Show |
Wednesday, 14 August |
|
King’s Birthday |
Monday, 7 October |
| Christmas Eve |
Tuesday, 24 December |
| Christmas Day |
Wednesday, 25 December |
| Boxing Day |
Thursday, 26 December |
*For more information: Queensland Government
South Australia
|
Public Holiday |
Date |
|
New Year’s Day |
Monday, 1 January |
|
Australia Day |
Friday, 26 January |
|
Adelaide Cup Day |
Monday, 11 March |
| Good Friday |
Friday, 29 March |
| Easter Saturday |
Saturday, 30 March |
| Easter Monday |
Monday, 1 April |
| Anzac Day |
Thursday, 25 April |
|
King’s Birthday |
Monday, 10 June |
|
Labour Day |
Monday, 7 October |
| Christmas Eve |
Tuesday, 24 December |
| Christmas Day |
Wednesday, 25 December |
|
Proclamation Day / Boxing Day |
Thursday, 26 December |
| New Year’s Eve |
Tuesday, 31 December |
*For more information: SafeWork SA
Tasmania
|
Public Holiday |
Date |
|
New Year’s Day |
Monday, 1 January |
|
Australia Day |
Friday, 26 January |
|
Royal Hobart Regatta |
Monday, 12 February |
| Eight Hours Day |
Monday, 11 March |
| Good Friday |
Friday, 29 March |
| Easter Monday |
Monday, 1 April |
|
Easter Tuesday |
Tuesday, 2 April |
|
Anzac Day |
Thursday, 25 April |
|
King’s Birthday |
Monday, 10 June |
| Recreation Day |
Monday, 4 November |
| Christmas Day |
Wednesday, 25 December |
|
Boxing Day |
Thursday, 26 December |
*For more information: WorkSafe Tasmania
Victoria
|
Public Holiday |
Date |
|
New Year’s Day |
Monday, 1 January |
|
Australia Day |
Friday, 26 January |
|
Labour Day |
Monday, 11 March |
| Good Friday |
Friday, 29 March |
| Saturday before Easter Sunday |
Saturday, 30 March |
| Easter Sunday |
Sunday, 31 March |
|
Easter Monday |
Monday, 1 April |
|
Anzac Day |
Thursday, 25 April |
| King’s Birthday |
Monday, 10 June |
| AFL Grand Final |
To be confirmed |
|
Melbourne Cup |
Tuesday, 5 November |
|
Christmas Day |
Wednesday, 25 December |
| Boxing Day |
Thursday, 26 December |
*For more information: Business Victoria
Western Australia
|
Public Holiday |
Date |
|
New Year’s Day |
Monday, 1 January |
|
Australia Day |
Friday, 26 January |
|
Labour Day |
Monday, 4 March |
| Good Friday |
Friday, 29 March |
| Easter Sunday |
Sunday, 31 March |
|
Easter Monday |
Monday, 1 April |
|
Anzac Day |
Thursday, 25 April |
| Western Australia Day |
Monday, 3 June |
| King’s Birthday |
Monday, 23 September |
|
Christmas Day |
Wednesday, 25 December |
| Boxing Day |
Thursday, 26 December |
*For more information: WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Notes:These are the 2024 public holidays in Australia, but dates may change. Check the Australian government’s public holiday schedule for updates.
Pay and wages on public holiday
The payment and wages on public holidays may vary based on the country’s laws and labour standards. Here are some general guidelines regarding pay and wages on public holidays:
- Overtime pay: If an employee works on a public holiday, they usually receive additional pay as overtime. The specific calculation of overtime pay may vary depending on company policies and industry standards.
- Base pay: If an employee works on a public holiday according to their normal working schedule, they are typically entitled to be paid at their regular wage rate.
- Alternative holiday: In certain cases, employers may offer employees the option of taking an alternative holiday for working on a public holiday. This means that employees can choose to take time off on another date to compensate for their work on the public holiday.
*Please note that payment and wage arrangements vary based on employer policies, industry regulations, contracts, and union agreements.
Read More: 2023 Public Holidays in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide
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