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Public Holidays Australia 2023: Complete List of Dates
By Nick Hall - News Published: , Last Updated:
If you are planning your next trip away, timing it with one of the many public holidays Australia enjoys is a great move. In 2023, Aussies can expect more than a few long weekends, courtesy of a range of bank holidays and nationwide memorial services. Wherever in Australia you find yourself, remember to plan ahead after checking out these national holiday dates below.
National Public Holidays in 2023
- Sunday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
- Monday, 2 January: Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
- Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day
- Friday, 7 April: Good Friday
- Saturday, 8 April: Day following Good Friday
- Sunday, 9 April: Easter Sunday
- Monday, 10 April: Easter Monday
- Tuesday, 25 April: Anzac Day
- Monday, 25 December: Christmas Day
- Tuesday, 26 December: Boxing Day
In 2023, Australia observes 10 national public holidays, across all states and territories. These are New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
State-by-State Public Holidays in 2023
The lucky people of Victoria have the most number of public holidays, far outweighing all other territories in the land Down Under for days off thanks to the Melbourne Cup, AFL Grand Final parade and other cultural activities. That being said, the NSW public holiday count isn’t far behind and Tasmania hosts plenty of regional days off for those lucky enough to live down south. Here’s the full list of public holidays broken down by state.
Australian Capital Territory
- Sunday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
- Monday, 2 January: Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
- Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day
- Monday, 13 March: Canberra Day
- Friday, 7 April: Good Friday
- Saturday, 8 April: Day following Good Friday
- Sunday, 9 April: Easter Sunday
- Monday, 10 April: Easter Monday
- Tuesday, 25 April: Anzac Day
- Monday, 29 May: Reconciliation Day
- Monday, 12 June: Sovereign’s Birthday
- Monday, 2 October: Labour Day
- Monday, 25 December: Christmas Day
- Tuesday, 26 December: Boxing Day
The 2023 ACT public holiday calendar is a heavy one, littered with important cultural events and the introduction of a new national day. Importantly, public holidays in the ACT are deregulated, which means that it is not illegal to trade during these periods. For retailers, the only requirement is that they be aware of public holidays for penalty rates and licensing restrictions. For more information, visit the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate website.
New South Wales
- Sunday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
- Monday, 2 January: Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
- Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day
- Friday, 7 April: Good Friday
- Saturday, 8 April: Day following Good Friday
- Sunday, 9 April: Easter Sunday
- Monday, 10 April: Easter Monday
- Tuesday, 25 April: Anzac Day
- Monday, 12 June: King’s Birthday
- Monday, 2 October: Labour Day
- Monday, 25 December: Christmas Day
- Tuesday, 26 December: Boxing Day
For NSW public holidays, the 2023 event list isn’t quite as long as in previous years. Over the year, we can expect to enjoy 12 days off (10 national public holidays). In terms of trade regulations, NSW observes some regulations governing specified public holidays. For example, (Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day before 1 p.m., Christmas Day and Boxing Day are restricted under the Retail Trading Act 2008 (NSW).
That being said, Fair Trading NSW has confirmed that there are a number of exemptions for different types of retailers (set out in Schedule 1 of the Act). This includes a broad exemption for small shops which are defined as having for or fewer employees.
Northern Territory
- Sunday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
- Monday, 2 January: Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
- Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day
- Friday, 7 April: Good Friday
- Saturday, 8 April: Day following Good Friday
- Sunday, 9 April: Easter Sunday
- Monday, 10 April: Easter Monday
- Tuesday, 25 April: Anzac Day
- Monday, 1 May: May Day
- Monday, 12 June: King’s Birthday
- Friday, 7 July: Alice Springs Show Day*
- Friday, 14 July: Tennant Creek Show Day*
- Friday, 21 July: Katherine Show Day*
- Friday, 28 July: Darwin Show Day*
- Monday, 7 August: Picnic Day
- Friday, 18 August: Borroloola Show Day*
- Monday, 25 December: Christmas Day
- Tuesday, 26 December: Boxing Day
* Regional show days only observed in designated areas.
The list of NT public holidays in 2023 is quite small, however, regional holidays are held in the territories on their annual show days. Similar to the ACT, public holidays in the Northern Territory are deregulated. As a result, retailers need only to be aware of public holidays for penalty rates and licensing restrictions. For more information, visit the NT.gov.au website.
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Queensland
- Sunday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
- Monday, 2 January: Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
- Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day
- Friday, 7 April: Good Friday
- Saturday, 8 April: Day following Good Friday
- Sunday, 9 April: Easter Sunday
- Monday, 10 April: Easter Monday
- Tuesday, 25 April: Anzac Day
- Monday, 1 May: Labour Day
- Wednesday, 16 August: Ekka Wednesday*
- Monday, 2 October: King’s Birthday
- Monday, 25 December: Christmas Day
- Tuesday, 26 December: Boxing Day
* Regional show days only observed in designated areas.
Queensland observes a number of public holidays in 2023, with the state securing specific days for its annual show. Importantly, Queensland recently updated its Trading (Allowable Hours) 1990 legislation in 2022, with new amendments governing the opening and closing of specific outlets. Under the new rules, trading hours are still restricted according to location and/or type of retailer. For more information, visit the Business Queensland website.
South Australia
- Sunday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
- Monday, 2 January: Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
- Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day
- Friday, 7 April: Good Friday
- Saturday, 8 April: Day following Good Friday
- Sunday, 9 April: Easter Sunday
- Monday, 10 April: Easter Monday
- Tuesday, 25 April: Anzac Day
- Monday, 12 June: King’s Birthday
- Monday, 2 October: Labour Day
- Monday, 25 December: Christmas Day
- Tuesday, 26 December: Boxing Day
- Monday, 13 March: Adelaide Cup Day
- Tuesday, 26 December: Proclamation Day
In South Australia, the public holiday calendar for 2023 is quite varied. The state has implemented a series of new reforms to its Shop Trading Hour Act 1977 which enables less restricted trading hours. As a result, most shops can now open from 9am on Sundays and Public Holidays, with certain retailers able to trade on Boxing Day. Specified stores can even undertake three midnight trading days in the lead-up to Christmas. For more information, visit the SafeWork SA website.
Tasmania
- Sunday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
- Monday, 2 January: Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
- Wednesday, 11 January: Devonport Cup*
- Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day
- Monday, 13 February: Royal Hobart Regatta*
- Wednesday, 22 February: Launceston Cup*
- Tuesday, 7 March: King Island Show*
- Monday, 11 March: Eight Hours Day
- Friday, 7 April: Good Friday
- Saturday, 8 April: Day following Good Friday
- Sunday, 9 April: Easter Sunday
- Monday, 10 April: Easter Monday
- Tuesday, 11 April: Easter Tuesday**
- Tuesday, 25 April: Anzac Day
- Friday, 5 May: AGFEST*
- Monday, 12 June: King’s Birthday
- Friday, 6 October: Burnie Show*
- Thursday, 12 October: Royal Launceston Show*
- Friday, 20 October: Flinders Island Show*
- Thursday, 26 October: Royal Hobart Show*
- Monday, 6 November: Recreation Day*
- Friday, 1 December: Devonport Show*
- Monday, 25 December: Christmas Day
- Tuesday, 26 December: Boxing Day
* Regional show days only observed in designated areas.
When it comes to regional public holidays Tasmania is king. The Southernmost state in Australia is home to a number of specific events across 2023, each of which is designated a holiday within their elected region. From the Royal Hobart Show to the Burnie Show, Tasmania is loaded up with festivities, which is a win for retailers. Tasmanian trading hours are regulated under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1984 according to location and/or type of shop.
Victoria
- Sunday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
- Monday, 2 January: Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
- Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day
- Monday, 13 March: Labour Day
- Friday, 7 April: Good Friday
- Saturday, 8 April: Saturday before Easter Sunday
- Saturday, 8 April: Day following Good Friday
- Sunday, 9 April: Easter Sunday
- Monday, 10 April: Easter Monday
- Tuesday, 25 April: Anzac Day
- Monday, 12 June: King’s Birthday
- TBA: AFL Grand Final Friday
- Tuesday, 7 November: Melbourne Cup Day
- Monday, 25 December: Christmas Day
- Tuesday, 26 December: Boxing Day
The long-crowned king of public holidays, Victoria boasts an enviable amount of days off in 2023. Both the AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Cup serve as state-only events, meaning only Victorians get the day off. Outside of that, the rest of the 2023 public holiday calendar has been partially deregulated, with some small restrictions applied for Christmas, Good Friday and Anzac Day. There are exemptions for certain types of retailers, including cafes and chemists, which can be found on the Business Victoria website.
Western Australia
- Sunday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
- Monday, 2 January: Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
- Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day
- Monday, 6 March: Labour Day
- Friday, 7 April: Good Friday
- Saturday, 8 April: Day following Good Friday
- Sunday, 9 April: Easter Sunday
- Monday, 10 April: Easter Monday
- Tuesday, 25 April: Anzac Day
- Monday, 5 June: Western Australia Day
- Monday, 25 September: King’s Birthday
- Monday, 25 December: Christmas Day
- Tuesday, 26 December: Boxing Day
The 2023 WA public holiday calendar features much of the same dates as other states, however, there are a few unique events to keep an eye out for. For retailers, trading in WA over public holidays is governed under the Retail Trading Hours Act 1987 (WA). This legislation dictates specific trading requirements according to the location and/or category of the retailer with small retail shops unrestricted. You can find more information about these rules at the Government of Western Australia, Department of Mines, Industry Regulations and Safety website.
How to Maximise Annual Leave in 2023
We all want to make it a step up from the year just passed, and one way to do this is by maximising annual leave to get the most out of the year. The way to do this is by using annual leave combined with public holidays to get longer breaks, which means more time to completely zone out or finally go on that holiday. The good news is making the most of your holiday time in 2023 is actually well worth the effort.
January: Trade in Four for Nine
Make the most of the Australia Day public holiday to get an extra-long weekend off in January. Take off four days from January 23 to the 27, which will mean you’ll get a 9-day break, starting from January 23.
Here’s how to do it:
- Saturday 21 January (Weekend)
- Sunday 22 January (Weekend)
- Monday 23 January (Annual Leave)
- Tuesday 24 January (Annual Leave)
- Wednesday 25 January(Annual Leave)
- Thursday 26 January (Public holiday: Australia Day)
- Friday 27 January (Annual Leave)
- Saturday 28 January (Weekend)
- Sunday 29 January (Weekend)
Easter/ ANZAC Long Weekend: Trade in 13 for 24
Better still, between April and May, you can make the most of the Easter break by turning 13 days of annual leave into 24 full days off in a row, provided you are in New South Wales. While international travel still feels a little way away, that isn’t to say you can prepare for a bit of a trip.
Here is how to do it:
- Friday 7 April (Public holiday: Good Friday)
- Saturday 8 April (Public holiday: Easter Saturday)
- Sunday 9 April (Public holiday: Easter Sunday)
- Monday 10 April (Public holiday: Easter Monday)
- Tuesday 11 April (Annual Leave)
- Wednesday 12 April (Annual Leave)
- Thursday 13 April (Annual Leave)
- Friday 14 April (Annual Leave)
- Saturday 15 April (Weekend)
- Sunday 16 April (Weekend)
- Monday 17 April (Annual Leave)
- Tuesday 18 April (Annual Leave)
- Wednesday 19 April (Annual Leave)
- Thursday 20 April (Annual Leave)
- Friday 21 April (Annual Leave)
- Saturday 22 April (Weekend)
- Sunday 23 April (Weekend)
- Monday 24 April (Annual Leave)
- Tuesday 25 April (Public holiday: Anzac Day)
- Wednesday 26 April (Annual Leave)
- Thursday 27 April (Annual Leave)
- Friday 28 April (Annual Leave)
- Saturday 29 April (Weekend)
- Sunday 30 May (Weekend)
Christmas: Trade in Three for Ten
The Christmas break is the best time of year, full of plenty of drinks, beach days and eating, so why not make it longer? Take three days of annual leave from December 27 to the 29, which will give you a 10-day break from December 24th to January 2nd.
General FAQs
In 2023, the paid public holidays in NSW are 1 January (New Year’s Day), 26 January (Australia Day), Good Friday, Easter Monday, 25 April (Anzac Day, King’s birthday holiday (the day on which it is celebrated in a State or Territory or a region of a State or Territory), 25 December (Christmas Day) and Boxing Day (December 26)/
According to Fair Work, if a public holiday falls during a period of paid leave (for example, annual leave or sick leave), the employee has to be paid for the public holiday. This includes any hours that fall on a part-day public holiday.
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