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Public holidays Australia 2023 | Image: Alvin Balemesa

Public Holidays Australia 2024: How to Make the Most of Them


If you are planning your next trip away, timing it with one of the many public holidays Australia enjoys is a great move. In 2024, 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 after checking out these national holiday dates below.

National Public Holidays in 2024

  • Monday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
  • Friday, 26 January: Australia Day
  • Friday, 29 March: Good Friday
  • Saturday, 30 March: Easter Saturday
  • Sunday, 31 March: Easter Sunday
  • Monday, 1 April: Easter Monday
  • Thursday, 25 April: Anzac Day
  • Monday, 10 June: King’s Birthday
  • Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day
  • Thursday, 26 December: Boxing Day

In 2024, 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 2024

The lucky people of Victoria have the most number of public holidays, far outweighing all other territories 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.

New South Wales

  • Monday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
  • Friday, 26 January: Australia Day
  • Friday, 29 March: Good Friday
  • Saturday, 30 March: Easter Saturday
  • Sunday 31, March: Easter Sunday
  • Monday, 1 April: Easter Monday
  • Thursday, 25 April: Anzac Day
  • Monday, 10 June: King’s Birthday
  • Monday, 7 October: Labour Day
  • Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day
  • Thursday, 26 December: Boxing Day

For NSW public holidays, the 2024 event list isn’t quite as long as in previous years. Over the year, we can expect to enjoy 11 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 several 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.

Victoria

  • Monday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
  • Friday, 26 January: Australia Day
  • Monday, 11 March: Labour Day
  • Friday, 29 March: Good Friday
  • Saturday, 30 March: Saturday before Easter Sunday
  • Sunday, 31 March: Easter Sunday
  • Monday, 1 April: Easter Monday
  • Thursday, 25 April: Anzac Day
  • Monday 10 June: King’s Birthday
  • Subject to AFL schedule (date TBC): Friday before AFL Grand Final
  • Tuesday, 5 November: Melbourne Cup
  • Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day
  • Thursday, 26 December: Boxing Day

The long-crowned king of public holidays, Victoria boasts an enviable amount of days off in 2024 (13). 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 2024 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.

Queensland

  • Monday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
  • Friday, 26 January: Australia Day
  • Friday, 29 March: Good Friday
  • Saturday, 30 March: The day after Good Friday
  • Sunday, 31 March: Easter Sunday
  • Monday, 1 April: Easter Monday
  • Thursday, 25 April: Anzac Day
  • Monday, 6 May: Labour Day
  • Wednesday, 14 August: Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane area only)
  • Monday, 7 October: King’s Birthday
  • Tuesday, 24 December: Christmas Eve (from 6 pm to midnight)
  • Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day
  • Thursday, 26 December: Boxing Day

* Regional show days only observed in designated areas.

Queensland observes several public holidays in 2024, 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.

Australian Capital Territory

  • Monday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
  • Friday, 26 January: Australia Day
  • Monday, 11 March: Canberra Day
  • Friday, 29 March: Good Friday
  • Saturday, 30 March: Easter Saturday – the day after Good Friday
  • Sunday, 31 March: Easter Sunday
  • Monday, 1 April: Easter Monday
  • Thursday, 25 April: Anzac Day
  • Monday, 27 May: Reconciliation Day
  • Monday, 10 June: King’s Birthday
  • Monday, 7 October: Labour Day
  • Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day
  • Thursday, 26 December: Boxing Day

The 2024 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.

Northern Territory

  • Monday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
  • Friday, 26 January: Australia Day
  • Friday, 29 March: Good Friday
  • Saturday, 30 March: Easter Saturday
  • Sunday, 31 March: Easter Sunday
  • Monday, 1 April: Easter Monday
  • Thursday, 25 April: Anzac Day
  • Monday, 6 May: May Day
  • Monday, 10 June: King’s Birthday
  • Monday, 5 August: Picnic Day
  • Tuesday, 24 December: Christmas Eve (from 7pm to midnight)
  • Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day
  • Thursday, 26 December: Boxing Day
  • Tuesday, 31 December: New Year’s Eve (from 7pm to midnight)

* Regional show days only observed in designated areas.

The list of NT public holidays in 2024 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.

South Australia

  • Monday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
  • Friday, 26 January: Australia Day
  • Monday, 11 March: Adelaide Cup Day
  • Friday, 29 March: Good Friday
  • Saturday, 30 March: Easter Saturday
  • Sunday, 31 March: Easter Sunday
  • Monday, 1 April: Easter Monday
  • Thursday, 25 April: Anzac Day
  • Monday, 10 June: King’s Birthday
  • Monday, 7 October: Labour Day
  • Tuesday, 24 December: Christmas Eve (from 7pm to midnight)
  • Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day
  • Thursday, 26 December: Proclamation Day public holiday / Boxing Day
  • Tuesday, 31 December: New Year’s Eve (from 7pm to midnight)

In South Australia, the public holiday calendar for 2024 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

  • Monday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
  • Friday, 26 January: Australia Day
  • Monday, 12 February: Royal Hobart Regatta (only observed in certain areas of the state)
  • Monday, 11 March: Eight Hours Day
  • Friday, 29 March: Good Friday
  • Monday, 1 April: Easter Monday
  • Tuesday, 2 April: Easter Tuesday (generally Tasmanian Public Service only)
  • Thursday, 25 April: Anzac Day
  • Monday, 10 June: King’s Birthday
  • Monday, 4 November: Recreation Day (areas of the state that don’t observe Royal Hobart Regatta)
  • Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day
  • Thursday, 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 several specific events across 2024, 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.

Western Australia

  • Monday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
  • Friday, 26 January: Australia Day
  • Monday, 4 March: Labour Day
  • Friday, 29 March: Good Friday
  • Sunday, 31 March: Easter Sunday
  • Monday, 1 April: Easter Monday
  • Thursday, 25 April: Anzac Day
  • Monday, 3 June: Western Australia Day
  • Monday, 23 September: King’s Birthday*
  • Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day
  • Thursday, 26 December: Boxing Day

*Some regional areas in WA hold the King’s Birthday public holiday on a different date.

The 2024 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 2024

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 2024 is 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 Saturday, January 20 to Sunday, January 28, which will mean you’ll get a 9-day break.

Take these dates off:

  • Monday, January 22
  • Tuesday, January 23
  • Wednesday, January 24
  • Thursday, January 25

Easter/ ANZAC Long Weekend: Trade in 8 for 16

Better still, between April and May, you can make the most of the Easter break by turning 8 days of annual leave into 16 full days off in a row.

Take these dates off:

  • Monday, March 25
  • Tuesday, March 26
  • Wednesday, March 27
  • Thursday, March 28
  • Tuesday, April 2
  • Wednesday, April 3
  • Thursday, April 4
  • Friday, April 5

June: Trade in 4 for 9

The King’s Birthday long weekend has opened an entirely new can of worms for public holiday maximisers, this new date lets you trade in 4 working days for 9 days off. It’s not the best use of your annual leave compared to other options here, but it’s a great opportunity if you’re thinking of heading away.

Take these dates off:

  • Tuesday, June 11
  • Wednesday, June 12
  • Thursday, June 13
  • Friday, June 14

Christmas: Trade in 7 for 14

The Christmas break is the best time of year, full of plenty of drinks, beach days and eating, so why not make it longer? If you take 7 days of annual leave from December 23 to January 3rd, you’ll get a 14-day break.

Take these dates off:

  • Monday, December 23
  • Tuesday, December 24
  • Friday, December 27
  • Monday, December 30
  • Tuesday, December 31
  • Thursday, January 2
  • Friday, January 3

Your FAQs Answered

When is the Easter Long Weekend in 2024?

This year, Easter is arriving sooner than last year with Good Friday falling on March 29th, Easter Sunday on March 31st and Easter Monday on April 1st.

What happens if your day off falls on a public holiday in Australia?

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.