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This Public Holiday Hack Turns 20 Days of Annual Leave in 52 Days Off
We all know how good taking annual leave feels- you’re basically getting paid to relax, go on holiday, sleep, or whatever it is you like to do with your time off. Given that this dreamy reality is probably the most-welcomed part of full-time working life, working out how to maximise your annual leave is the next step in nailing adulting. But some people are definitely better at it than others.
How to Maximise Annual Leave in 2022
Heading in 2022, 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 2022 is actually well worth the effort. As Finder points out, thanks to the way the public holidays are set up, you can actually turn 20 days of annual leave into 52 days worth of holidays (in NSW). Considering 20 days is the legal minimum amount of annual leave for full-time employees in Australia, for Monday–Friday (non-rostered) workers, this is a pretty sweet gig.
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 24th to the 28th, which will mean you’ll get a 9-day break, starting from January 22nd. Here’s how to do it:
- Saturday 22 January (Weekend)
- Sunday 23 January (Weekend)
- Monday 24 January (Annual Leave)
- Tuesday 25 January (Annual Leave)
- Wednesday 26 January (Public holiday: Australia Day)
- Thursday 27 January (Annual Leave)
- Friday 28 January (Annual Leave)
- Saturday 29 January (Weekend)
- Sunday 30 January (Weekend)
Easter/ ANZAC Long Weekend: Trade in Eight for Seventeen
Better still, between April and May, you can make the most of the Easter break by turning 12 days of annual leave into 23 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:
- Saturday 9 April (Weekend)
- Sunday 10 April (Weekend)
- Monday 11 April (Annual Leave)
- Tuesday 12 April (Annual Leave)
- Wednesday 13 April (Annual Leave)
- Thursday 14 April (Annual Leave)
- Friday 15 April (Public holiday: Good Friday)
- Saturday 16 April (Weekend)
- Sunday 17 April (Weekend)
- Monday 18 April (Public holiday: Easter Monday)
- Tuesday 19 April (Annual Leave)
- Wednesday 20 April (Annual Leave)
- Thursday 21 April (Annual Leave)
- Friday 22 April (Annual Leave)
- Saturday 23 April (Weekend)
- Sunday 24 April (Weekend)
- Monday 25 April (Public holiday: Anzac Day)
- Tuesday 26 April (Annual Leave)
- Wednesday 27 April (Annual Leave)
- Thursday 28 April (Annual Leave)
- Friday 29 April (Annual Leave)
- Saturday 30 April (Weekend)
- Sunday 1 May (Weekend)
Christmas 2022: 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 Dec 28th to the 30th, which will give you a 10-day break from Dec 24th to January 2nd.
Public Holiday Dates By State in Australia
Importantly, each state has its own rules when it comes to public holidays. While some are universal, like ANZAC Day, others vary from state to state. Here is a run down of each individual state and territories upcoming public holidays for 2022.
Public Holidays NSW 2022
New South Wales public holidays are relatively straightforward. The major ones are there, however, the state misses out on some of the bigger sporting event holidays that Victoria cops.
| Date | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Saturday 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| Monday 3 January | Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day |
| Wednesday 26 January | Australia Day |
| Friday 15 April | Good Friday |
| Saturday 16 April | Easter Saturday |
| Sunday 17 April | Easter Sunday |
| Monday 18 April | Easter Monday |
| Monday 25 April | Anzac Day |
| Monday 13 June | Queen’s Birthday |
| Monday 3 October | Labour Day |
| Sunday 25 December | Christmas Day |
| Monday 26 December | Boxing Day |
| Tuesday 27 December | Additional public holiday for Christmas Day |
Public Holidays VIC 2022
As mentioned, Victorians love their sport and the 2022 public holiday calendar reflects this. From events like the AFL Grand Final to the Melbourne Cup, the state has a few special days off.
| Date | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Saturday 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| Monday 3 January | Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day |
| Wednesday 26 January | Australia Day |
| Monday 14 March | Labour Day |
| Friday 15 April | Good Friday |
| Saturday 16 April | Easter Saturday |
| Sunday 17 April | Easter Sunday |
| Monday 18 April | Easter Monday |
| Monday 25 April | Anzac Day |
| Monday 13 June | Queen’s Birthday |
| September (TBA) | Friday before AFL Grand Final (subject to AFL schedule) |
| Tuesday 1 November | Melbourne Cup |
| Sunday 25 December | Christmas Day |
| Monday 26 December | Boxing Day |
| Tuesday 27 December | Additional public holiday for Christmas Day |
Public Holidays QLD 2022
In Queensland, the Queen’s Birthday holiday gets moved and the state adds an extra day off for the official state fair. Here is what you need to know about Queensland public holidays in 2022.
| Date | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Saturday 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| Monday 3 January | Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day |
| Wednesday 26 January | Australia Day |
| Friday 15 April | Good Friday |
| Saturday 16 April | Easter Saturday |
| Sunday 17 April | Easter Sunday |
| Monday 18 April | Easter Monday |
| Monday 25 April | Anzac Day |
| Monday 2 May | Labour Day |
| Wednesday 10 August | Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane area only) |
| Monday 3 October | Queen’s Birthday |
| Saturday 24 December | Christmas Eve (from 6 pm to 12 midnight) |
| Sunday 25 December | Christmas Day |
| Monday 26 December | Boxing Day |
| Tuesday 27 December | Additional public holiday for Christmas Day |
Public Holidays WA 2022
On the far west of the country, there are a fair few extra days off, including Western Australia Day on June 6. Here is a full schedule of public holidays in WA for 2022.
| Date | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Saturday 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| Monday 3 January | Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day |
| Wednesday 26 January | Australia Day |
| Monday 7 March | Labour Day |
| Friday 15 April | Good Friday |
| Monday 18 April | Easter Monday |
| Monday 25 April | Anzac Day |
| Monday 6 June | Western Australia Day |
| Monday 26 September | Queen’s Birthday (Some regional areas in WA hold the Queen’s Birthday public holiday on a different date) |
| Sunday 25 December | Christmas Day |
| Monday 26 December | Boxing Day |
| Tuesday 27 December | Additional public holiday for Christmas Day |
Public Holidays SA 2022
The 2022 South Australia public holiday schedule introduces state-specific days off including Adelaide Cup Day while also marking the period late on Christma Eve as an official time of rest.
| Date | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Saturday 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| Monday 3 January | Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day |
| Wednesday 26 January | Australia Day |
| Monday 14 March | Adelaide Cup Day (subject to proclamation) |
| Friday 15 April | Good Friday |
| Saturday 16 April | Easter Saturday |
| Monday 18 April | Easter Monday |
| Monday 25 April | Anzac Day |
| Monday 13 June | Queen’s Birthday |
| Monday 3 October | Labour Day |
| Saturday 24 December | Christmas Eve (from 7 pm to 12 midnight) |
| Sunday 25 December | Christmas Day |
| Monday 26 December | Boxing Day |
| Tuesday 27 December | Additional public holiday for Christmas Day |
| Saturday 31 December | New Year’s Eve (from 7 pm to 12 midnight) |
Public Holidays ACT 2022
The home of our politicians, Canberra plays host to a number of territory-specific days off, including Canberra Day on March 14. Here is a full schedule of ACT public holidays.
| Date | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Saturday 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| Monday 3 January | Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day |
| Wednesday 26 January | Australia Day |
| Monday 14 March | Canberra Day |
| Friday 15 April | Good Friday |
| Saturday 16 April | Easter Saturday |
| Sunday 17 April | Easter Sunday |
| Monday 18 April | Easter Monday |
| Monday 25 April | Anzac Day |
| Monday 30 May | Reconciliation Day |
| Monday 13 June | Queen’s Birthday |
| Monday 3 October | Labour Day |
| Sunday 25 December | Christmas Day |
| Monday 26 December | Boxing Day |
| Tuesday 27 December | Additional public holiday for Christmas Day |
Public Holidays TAS 2022
Down south, Tasmania celebrates 13 official public holidays in 2022. Here is everything you need to know to get the most out of your time off.
| Date | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Monday 3 January | Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day |
| Wednesday 26 January | Australia Day |
| Monday 14 February | Royal Hobart Regatta (only observed in certain areas of the state) |
| Monday 14 March | Eight Hours Day |
| Friday 15 April | Good Friday |
| Monday 18 April | Easter Monday |
| Tuesday 19 April | Easter Tuesday – generally Public Service only |
| Monday 25 April | Anzac Day |
| Monday 13 June | Queen’s Birthday |
| Monday 7 November | Recreation Day (all parts of the state which do not observe Royal Hobart Regatta) |
| Sunday 25 December | Christmas Day |
| Monday 26 December | Boxing Day |
| Tuesday 27 December | Additional public holiday for Christmas Day |
Public Holidays NT 2022
Finally, in the Northern Territory, public holidays come thick and fast in Autumn before slowing down until the run home to Christmas. Here is what you need to know.
| Date | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Saturday 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| Monday 3 January | Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day |
| Wednesday 26 January | Australia Day |
| Monday 14 March | Eight Hours Day |
| Friday 15 April | Good Friday |
| Saturday 16 April | Easter Saturday |
| Monday 18 April | Easter Monday |
| Monday 25 April | Anzac Day |
| Monday 2 May | May Day |
| Monday 13 June | Queen’s Birthday |
| Monday 1 August | Picnic Day |
| Saturday 24 December | Christmas Eve (from 7 pm to 12 midnight) |
| Sunday 25 December | Christmas Day |
| Monday 26 December | Boxing Day |
| Tuesday 27 December | Additional public holiday for Christmas Day |
| Saturday 31 December | New Year’s Eve (from 7 pm to 12 midnight) |
Why Annual Leave is Important
Annual leave is invaluable for mental and physical health, which will help employees be more productive and benefit the workplace as a whole- win-win! Most full-time employees in Australia get around four weeks of paid annual leave, and it has several benefits on both an individual level and an organisational level.
On an individual level, taking annual leave has several mental health benefits, such as reducing stress, elevating mood, and allowing rest, which boosts immunity. By taking time off to relax or go on a holiday, employees get to take a step back and enjoy life’s many pleasures they have earned through all their hard work.
With a team of happy, healthy employees, taking annual leave, therefore, has many benefits on an organisational level. A happier staff equals happier teams, which boosts overall morale and productivity. Annual leave arrangements also increase job satisfaction which improves employee retention and allows for fewer unexplained absences, such as the classic ‘sick day’, which in its unplanned nature, can negatively affect the flow of a workplace.
General FAQs
When should I take leave over Easter Long Weekend?
To maximise your time off, take four days of leave from January 24th to the 28th.
When should I take leave in December?
In December, take leave from the 28th to the 30th to give yourself a big Christmas holiday.
When is the best time to take leave in Australia?
The best time to take leave in Australia is over the Easter/ ANZAC long weekend.
Aimee O'Keefe
Aimee O’Keefe is a Sydney-based freelance writer with a background in fashion, entertainment and technology coverage. She completed a Bachelor's degree in Media and Communications at the University of Sydney and has previously worked with Universal Magazines and the Ministry of Style. She currently works as Content Writer for a leading digital marketing agency.
