Australia Public Holidays 2026: National and State Dates
Australia has seven public holidays observed nationwide in 2026, but each state and territory adds its own — and a few, like Labour Day and the King’s Birthday, fall on completely different dates depending on where you are. That makes the Australian calendar the most state-dependent in this set of guides.
2026 has a good hand for travellers: Anzac Day falls on a Saturday with a Monday substitute in several states, and Christmas lands on a Friday with Boxing Day observed on Monday 28 December.
Nationwide public holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day | All states |
| 26 January | Monday | Australia Day | All states |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday | All states |
| 4 April | Saturday | Easter Saturday | Most states |
| 5 April | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Most states |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday | All states |
| 25 April | Saturday | Anzac Day | All states |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day | All states |
| 26 December | Saturday | Boxing Day | Most states; observed Mon 28 Dec |
State and territory holidays 2026
| State | Holiday | 2026 date |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | Canberra Day | Mon 9 March |
| ACT | Reconciliation Day | Mon 1 June |
| NSW / ACT / SA / VIC | Labour Day | Mon 5 October (VIC: Mon 9 March) |
| NT | May Day | Mon 4 May |
| NT | Picnic Day | Mon 3 August |
| QLD | Labour Day | Mon 4 May |
| QLD | King’s Birthday | Mon 5 October |
| SA | Adelaide Cup Day | Mon 9 March |
| TAS | Eight Hours Day | Mon 9 March |
| TAS | Recreation Day | Mon 2 November |
| VIC | Melbourne Cup | Tue 3 November |
| WA | Labour Day | Mon 2 March |
| WA | Western Australia Day | Mon 1 June |
| WA | King’s Birthday | Mon 28 September |
| Most states | King’s Birthday | Mon 8 June |
Long weekends in 2026
- 24–26 January — Australia Day (Sat–Mon)
- 3–6 April — Easter (Fri–Mon), four days
- 25–27 April — Anzac Day, with a Monday substitute in ACT, NSW and WA
- 6–8 June — King’s Birthday in most states (Sat–Mon)
- 3–5 October — Labour Day in NSW, ACT and SA (Sat–Mon)
- 25–28 December — Christmas (Fri–Mon), four days
Two things stand out for 2026. First, Anzac Day falls on a Saturday, which means most states lose the long weekend — but ACT, NSW and WA gain a Monday substitute, so the break is genuinely different depending on where you are. Second, the King’s Birthday moves: June in most states, but late September in WA and October in Queensland.
What this means for travel
Australia’s holiday peaks are the reverse of the northern hemisphere’s. The biggest domestic travel periods are the Easter break, the Christmas–New Year fortnight, and the school summer holidays from mid-December to late January. If you’re flying domestically in late December, book by September.
For travellers heading overseas from Australia, Christmas travel is the peak-price window, and Best Time to Visit Japan is the natural first stop — direct flights are short and the seasons line up well with Australian school holidays.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Australia have in 2026?
Seven are observed nationwide in 2026: New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Each state and territory adds several more, typically bringing the total to between 10 and 13.
When is the King’s Birthday in 2026?
Most states observe it on Monday 8 June 2026. Queensland observes it on Monday 5 October, and Western Australia on Monday 28 September.
Is Anzac Day a public holiday in 2026?
Yes, but because 25 April 2026 falls on a Saturday, only ACT, NSW and WA get a substitute public holiday on Monday 27 April.
Do all Australian states have the same public holidays?
No. Labour Day, the King’s Birthday and several regional holidays fall on different dates in different states. Always check your state’s official list.
Our sources
Dates verified against the Fair Work Ombudsman’s 2026 public holiday list, compiled from each state and territory’s official declaration, and consistent with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s 115. Last reviewed: 15 October 2026.