I get asked this constantly by staff trying to plan trips home and by other cafe owners trying to roster around long weekends: which public holidays actually apply where. Australia does not have one calendar, it has eight, and mixing them up is an easy mistake.
Quick answer: Australia has 8 national public holidays in 2026, with each state and territory adding its own on top, bringing most states to 10-13 total. Two quirks define the year: Anzac Day (25 April) and Boxing Day (26 December) both fall on a Saturday, which changes whether you get a substitute Monday off depending on your state.
The National Public Holidays (Apply Everywhere)
- New Year’s Day: Thursday 1 January
- Australia Day: Monday 26 January
- Good Friday: Friday 3 April
- Easter Monday: Monday 6 April
- Anzac Day: Saturday 25 April
- Christmas Day: Friday 25 December
- Boxing Day: Saturday 26 December
The Two Quirks That Trip People Up in 2026
Anzac Day falls on a Saturday. Only NSW, the ACT, and Western Australia observe a substitute public holiday on Monday 27 April. Everywhere else (VIC, QLD, SA, TAS, NT), there is no extra day off, the holiday simply falls on the Saturday as normal. If you are counting on a long weekend around Anzac Day, check your state first.
Boxing Day falls on a Saturday. Most states and territories observe a substitute public holiday on Monday 28 December, creating a four-day run from Christmas Day through to Monday. South Australia is the main exception due to its own Proclamation Day arrangement, so check locally if you are there.
State-by-State Extras (On Top of the National List)
- NSW: Follows the national calendar closely, plus a Bank Holiday in some regions
- Victoria: Labour Day (9 March), King’s Birthday (8 June), AFL Grand Final Friday, Melbourne Cup Day (3 November, metro Melbourne only)
- Queensland: Labour Day (4 May), King’s Birthday (5 October), Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane area only)
- Western Australia: Labour Day (2 March), Western Australia Day (1 June), King’s Birthday (28 September)
- South Australia: Adelaide Cup Day (9 March), King’s Birthday (8 June), Labour Day (5 October), Proclamation Day (December)
- Tasmania: Regional holidays including Royal Hobart Regatta and Recreation Day, which vary by area
- ACT: Canberra Day (9 March), Reconciliation Day (late May/early June), King’s Birthday, Labour Day
- Northern Territory: May Day, King’s Birthday, Picnic Day, plus regional show days that vary by town
Easter in 2026
Easter falls earlier than usual this year: Good Friday is 3 April, Easter Saturday 4 April, Easter Sunday 5 April, and Easter Monday 6 April. Easter Monday is a national public holiday everywhere, but Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday are only public holidays in some states (NSW, ACT, VIC, and QLD generally recognise Easter Saturday; NSW and ACT recognise Easter Sunday).
Why This Matters If You’re Working
If you are paid under an Award, public holidays typically come with significantly higher penalty rates than an ordinary weekday, often 225-250% of the base rate for casuals. Knowing the exact dates for your state means knowing exactly when those higher rates kick in. You can check your specific rate on our Award Pay Calculator.
Where to Check the Official List
State and territory governments set their own public holidays, and the Fair Work Ombudsman maintains the authoritative combined list, including regional variations like show days that only apply in specific towns.
Final Thoughts
The national holidays are easy to remember, it’s the state-specific extras and the Saturday-landing quirks in 2026 that catch people out. If you’re planning travel, rostering staff, or just trying to figure out if you get a long weekend, always check your specific state’s list rather than assuming the national calendar applies everywhere.