2026 Public Holidays
Below is a 2026 calendar listing of Public Holidays, School Holidays & Special Occasions celebrated in Australia. This is the place to come to plan your next holiday! All public holidays for Australia are accurate at the time of publishing but are subject to change depending on what state you live in. Please make sure you check any listed public holidays dates with your own states public holidays before booking any holidays.
2026 List of Australian Public Holidays,
Special Occasions & School Holidays
Below you will find a listing of 2026 public holidays and special occasions (such as Mother’s Day, Fathers’s Day) for each State and Territory in Australia. Public holidays dates may be different depending on the state or territory you live in.
All States public holidays and special occasions 2026:
Individual States – Public holidays & school holiday & term breaks 2026:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
What are the meanings of Australia’s Public Holidays & Special Occasions?
Australia Day
Australia day is a national holiday and is celebrated in every state of Australia. Its great to be Australian and on this public holiday there are plenty of events held around the country to celebrate. It is a day of national pride and a chance to celebrate our cultural diversity.
Valentines Day
In Australia, gifts of love are exchanged on Valentines Day. The 14th February each year is the day on which lovers express their love for each other – sending Valentine’s cards, roses, chocolates, and gifts often anonymously.
Easter
In Australia there is a public holiday on Good Friday and Easter Monday providing families with the time to have fun together, do family activities such as decorating Easter Eggs and having Easter Egg hunts and travelling away on holidays . On Good Friday, every shop is closed and it is the only day of the year that newspapers are unavailable. In Australia there are many Easter festivals held throughout the Easter break.
ANZAC Day
ANZAC- Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Anzac day is when Australians come together and spend time remembering the sacrifices of those who died in war protecting our country. ANZAC day is a public holiday in Australia. ANZAC day in Australia is the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
Mother’s Day
Mothers Day in Australia is a special day for mothers where families often get together. Some may get breakfast in bed, others gifts of roses and flowers – all a sign of appreciation and love.
Queens Birthday
The Queen’s Birthday is celebrated as a public holiday in Australia. The date of the celebration is on the second Monday in June each year. The real birthday of Queen Elizabeth II is the 21 April 1926. Australians celebrate the Queens Birthday in June because if a public holiday was held on 21 April each year, it would coincide with Easter in many years and also be positioned very close to Anzac Day.
Father’s Day
Fathers Day in Australia is a chance for families to get together and celebrate in similar way to Mother’s Day. Dads are spoilt and made to feel special. In Australia and New Zealand, fathers are honoured the first Sunday in September. Other countries celebrate fathers throughout the year.
“By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong.”Charles Wadsworth
Melbourne Cup Day
Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday for the Melbourne metropolitan area, and is Australia’s major horse racing event.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day in Australia is often spent with family . Gatherings of friends and families centred around food – whether it is a traditional Christmas lunch, or an Aussie style event with prawns on the BBQ everyone looks forward to this time of year.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day in Australia is a public holiday that falls the day after Christmas. Boxing Day originated in England where the day after Christmas Day was spent “boxing” gifts and giving them to the less fortunate. A quiet day is often spent recovering from the lead up to Christmas and the festivities of Christmas Day by watching the Cricket (Boxing Day Test match) or the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race on TV. Many Australians also head off on holidays or prepare for the next celebration – New Years Eve!
New Years Day / New Years Eve
New Years Eve is often celebrated in Australia by partying in large groups at public venues with fireworks going off at midnight. All of the major cities in Australia have events organised to help celebrate the transition from one year to the next. New Years Day is a Public Holiday.
Labour Day
The Labour Day Holiday date is different for each State of Australia and is set by their respective state and territory governments. Labour Day in Australia has its origins in the eight hour day movement – their efforts resulted in the introduction of eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for sleep.
Canberra Day
Canberra Day is a public holiday in the Australian Capital Territory and is observed on the second Monday of March each year. The day commemorates Canberra’s official founding way back in 1913. It is highlighted by a major festival that takes part in Canberra. Canberra Day is a public holiday in the ACT with many businesses closing for the day.
Eight Hours Day
The Eight Hours Day was introduced to Tasmanians in March 2006. In 1874, Tasmania became the last State of Australia to earn the shorter working day.
Foundation Day
Foundation Day is a uniquely Western Australian public holiday. It commemorates the day that the first European settlers arrived in Western Australia to found the Swan River Colony on 1 June 1829. Foundation Day is held on the first Monday in June each year.
All 2026 Public Holidays & Special Occasions Australia
This is the list of 2026 public holidays for each state and territory in Australia. Public holidays can be different depending on the state or territory you’re in.
| Public Holiday/ Occasion | Date | State of Australia |
| January 2026 | ||
| New Year’s Day | Thursday 1 January | National |
| Devonport Cup | Wednesday 7 January | TAS |
| Australia Day | Monday 26 January | National |
| February 2026 | ||
| Royal Hobart Regatta | Monday 9 February | TAS |
| Valentine’s Day | Saturday 14 February | Celebration |
| Launceston Cup | Wednesday 25 February | TAS |
| March 2026 | ||
| Labour Day | Monday 2 March | WA |
| King Island Show | Tuesday 3 March | TAS |
| Canberra Day | Monday 9 March | ACT |
| Labour Day | Monday 9 March | VIC |
| Saint Patrick’s Day | Turesday 17 March | Celebration |
| April 2026 | ||
| Easter 2026 | ||
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April | National |
| Day following Good Friday | Saturday 4 April | National except TAS & WA |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday 5 April | National except TAS |
| Easter Monday | Monday 6 April | National |
| Easter Tuesday * | Tuesday 7 April | TAS |
| Anzac Day | Saturday 25 April | National |
| May 2026 | ||
| AGFEST | Friday 8 May | TAS |
| Labour Day | Monday 4 May | QLD |
| May Day | Monday 4 May | NT |
| Mother’s Day | Sunday 10 May | Special Occasion |
| June 2026 | ||
| Reconciliation Day | Monday 1 June | ACT |
| Western Australia Day | Monday 1 June | WA |
| King’s Birthday | Monday 8 June | National except QLD & WA |
| July 2026 | ||
| Alice Springs Show Day | Friday 3 July | NT |
| Tennant Creek Show Day | Friday 10 July | NT |
| Katherine Show Day | Friday 17 July | NT |
| Darwin Show Day | Friday 24 July | NT |
| August 2026 | ||
| Picnic Day | Monday 3 August | NT |
| Ekka Wednesday * | Wednesday 12 August | QLD |
| September 2026 | ||
| Father’s Day | Sunday 6 September | Special Occasion |
| AFL Grand Final Friday | TBA | VIC |
| King’s Birthday | Monday 5 October | WA |
| October 2026 | ||
| Burnie Show | Friday 2 October | TAS |
| Labour Day | Monday 5 October | ACT, NSW & SA |
| King’s Birthday | Monday 5 October | QLD |
| Royal Launceston Show | Thursday 8 October | TAS |
| Flinders Island Show | Friday 16 October | TAS |
| Royal Hobart Show | Thursday 22 October | TAS |
| Halloween | Saturday 31 October | Special Occasion |
| November 2026 | ||
| Recreation Day | Monday 2 November | TAS |
| Melbourne Cup Day | Tuesday 3 November | VIC* |
| Devonport Show | Friday 27 November | TAS |
| December 2026 | ||
| Christmas Eve * | Thursday 24 December | NT, QLD, SA |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December | National |
| Boxing Day | Monday 28 December | National except SA |
| Proclamation Day | Monday 28 December | SA |
| New Year’s Eve | Thursday 31 December | NT, SA |
Find what the public holidays are in your state or territory by selecting from the list below.
🇦🇺 2026 Australian Capital Territory Public Holidays
Australian Capital Territory
-
Public holiday Date New Year’s Day Thursday 1 January Australia Day Monday 26 January Canberra Day Monday 9 March Good Friday Friday 3 April Easter Saturday – the day after Good Friday Saturday 4 April Easter Sunday Sunday 5 April Easter Monday Monday 6 April ANZAC Day Monday 27 April Reconciliation Day Monday 1 June King’s Birthday Monday 8 June Labour Day Monday 5 October Christmas Day Friday 25 December Boxing Day Saturday 26 and Monday 28 December
For more information on public holidays in the Australian Capital Territory, contact the ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
ACT School Holidays 2026
🏖 Australian Capital Territory School Holiday and Term Breaks
🇦🇺 2026 New South Wales Public Holidays
New South Wales
-
Holiday 2026 New Year’s Day Thursday 1 January 2026 3Additional Day Not applicable 2Australia Day Monday 26 January 2026 Good Friday Friday 3 April 2026 Easter Saturday Saturday 4 April 2026 Easter Sunday Sunday 5 April 2026 Easter Monday Monday 6 April 2026 Anzac Day Saturday 25 April 2026 King’s Birthday Monday 8 June 2026 1Bank Holiday Monday 3 August 2026 Labour Day Monday 5 October 2026 Christmas Day Friday 25 December 2026 3Additional Day Not applicable Boxing Day Saturday 26 December 2026 3Additional Day Monday 28 December 2026
For more information on public holidays in New South Wales (for example, regional holidays), contact the NSW Government
NSW School Holidays 2026
🏖 New South Wales School Holiday and Term Breaks
🇦🇺 2026 Northern Territory Public Holidays
Northern Territory
-
Holiday Date New Year’s Day Thursday 1 January 2026 Australia Day Monday 26 January 2026 Good Friday Friday 3 April 2026 Easter Saturday Saturday 4 April 2026 Easter Sunday Sunday 5 April 2026 Easter Monday Monday 6 April 2026 Anzac Day Saturday 25 April 2026 May Day Monday 4 May 2026 King’s Birthday Monday 8 June 2026 Alice Springs Show Day1 Friday 3 July 2026 Tennant Creek Show Day1 Friday 10 July 2026 Katherine Show Day1 Friday 17 July 2026 Darwin Show Day1 Friday 24 July 2026 Picnic Day Monday 3 August 2026 Borroloola Show Day1 Friday 14 August 2026 Christmas Eve – part day holiday2 Thursday 24 December 2026 Christmas Day Friday 25 December 2026 Boxing Day Saturday 26 December 2026 Boxing Day Monday Monday 28 December 2026 New Year’s Eve – part day holiday2 Thursday 31 December 2026
1 Regional holiday – to find out which show day applies to your area, check the map of NT show day regions.
2 Part day holiday – from 7pm to midnight only.
For more information on public holidays in the Northern Territory (for example, show days and other regional holidays), contact the NT Government
NT School Holidays 2026
🏖 Northern Territory School Holiday and Term Breaks
🇦🇺 2026 Queensland Public Holidays
Queensland
-
Holiday 2026 New Year’s Day1 Thursday 1 January Australia Day2 Monday 26 January Good Friday Friday 3 April The day after Good Friday Saturday 4 April Easter Sunday3 Sunday 5 April Easter Monday Monday 6 April Anzac Day4 Saturday 25 April Labour Day5 Monday 4 May Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane area only)6 Wednesday 12 August King’s Birthday5 Monday 5 October Christmas Eve7 (24 December) 6pm to midnight Thursday 24 December Christmas Day1 Friday 25 December Boxing Day1 Saturday 26 December and Monday 28 December
- From Christmas Day 2011, the Holidays Act 1983 provides for an extra public holiday to be added when Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day falls on a weekend.
- Australia Day public holiday is to be observed on the 26 January or, if 26 January is a Saturday or Sunday, it shall be observed the following Monday.
- Easter Sunday is appointed as a public holiday. These arrangements have been in place since 2017 following amendments to the Holidays Act 1983 (passed by Parliament on 1 December 2016).
- Anzac Day public holiday is to be observed on 25 April each year or, if 25 April is a Sunday, it shall be observed on the following Monday.
- Labour Day public holiday is to be observed on the first Monday in May and the Birthday of the Sovereign (King’s Birthday) public holiday is to be observed on the first Monday in October. These arrangements have been in place since 2016 following amendments to the Holidays Act 1983 (passed by Parliament on 13 October 2015).
- The Royal National Agricultural (RNA) Show Day (Brisbane only) is held on the Wednesday during the RNA Show period. The RNA Show commences on the first Friday in August, unless the first Friday is prior to 5 August, then it commences on the second Friday of August.
- From 2019, the Holidays Act 1983 provides for a part-day public holiday from 6pm to midnight on Christmas Eve (24 December).
For more information on public holidays in Queensland (for example, regional holidays), contact the Queensland Government
QLD School Holidays 2026
🏖 Queensland School Holiday and Term Breaks
🇦🇺 2026 South Australia Public Holidays
South Australia
- Thursday 1 January: New Year’s DayMonday 26 January: Australia DayTuesday 27 January: School year commencesMonday 9 March: Adelaide Cup DayFriday 3 April: Good FridaySaturday 4 April: Easter SaturdaySunday 5 April: Easter SundayMonday 6 April: Easter Monday
Saturday 11 April – Sunday 26 April: School Holidays – Term 1
Saturday 25 April: ANZAC Day
Monday 8 June: King’s Birthday
Saturday 4 July – Sunday 19 July: School Holidays – Term 2
Saturday 26 September – Sunday 11 October: School Holidays – Term 3
Monday 5 October: Labour Day
Saturday 12 December – Tuesday 27 January: School Holidays – Term 4
Thursday 24 December: Christmas Eve: 7pm to midnight
Friday 25 December: Christmas Day
Saturday 26 December: Proclamation Day holiday
Monday 28 December: (additional public holiday for Proclamation Day)
Thursday 31 December: New Year’s Eve: 7pm to midnight
For more information on public holidays in South Australia, contact SafeWork SA
SA School Holidays 2026
🏖 South Australia School Holiday and Term Breaks
🇦🇺 2026 Tasmania Public Holidays
Tasmania
-
Holiday 2026 New Year’s Day* 1 January Australia Day* 26 January Eight Hours Day 9 March Good Friday 3 April Easter Monday 6 April Easter Tuesday – generally Tasmanian Public Service only 7 April ANZAC Day 25 April King’s Birthday 8 June Christmas Day* (25 December) 25 December Boxing Day* (26 December) 28 December
*Substitute holiday applies
For more information on public holidays in Tasmania (for example, regional holidays), contact WorkSafe Tasmania
TAS School Holidays 2026
🏖 Tasmania School Holiday and Term Breaks
🇦🇺 2026 Victoria Public Holidays
Victoria
-
Holiday Date in 2026 New Year’s Day Thursday 1 January Australia Day Monday 26 January Labour Day Monday 9 March Good Friday1 Friday 3 April Saturday before Easter Sunday Saturday 4 April Easter Sunday Sunday 5 April Easter Monday Monday 6 April ANZAC Day1 Saturday 25 April2 King’s Birthday Monday 8 June Friday before the AFL Grand Final Subject to AFL schedule3 Melbourne Cup Tuesday 3 November4 Christmas Day1 Friday 25 December Boxing Day Saturday 26 December
Monday 28 December5
1 ANZAC Day, Good Friday and Christmas Day are restricted trading days.
2 ANZAC Day is commemorated on the day it falls. There is no replacement holiday when ANZAC Day falls on a weekend.
3 Friday before AFL Grand Final typically falls on the last Friday in September. This website will be updated with the exact date upon release of the 2026 AFL schedule.
4 Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday across all of Victoria unless alternate local holiday has been arranged by a non-metro council.
5 As Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, an additional public holiday is given on the following Monday.
For more information on public holidays in Victoria (for example, regional holidays), contact Business Victoria
VIC School Holidays 2026
🏖 Victoria School Holiday and Term Breaks
🇦🇺 2026 Western Australia Public Holidays
|
2026 |
|
|---|---|
|
New Year’s Day |
Thursday 1 January |
|
Australia Day |
Monday 26 January |
|
Labour Day |
Monday 2 March |
|
Good Friday |
Friday 3 April |
|
Easter Sunday |
Sunday 5 April |
|
Easter Monday |
Monday 6 April |
|
Anzac Day |
Saturday 25 April & Monday 27 April |
|
Western Australia Day |
Monday 1 June |
|
King’s Birthday |
Monday 28 September |
|
Christmas Day |
Friday 25 December |
|
Boxing Day |
Saturday 26 December & Monday 28 December |
- When New Year’s Day, Anzac Day, or Christmas Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday the next following Monday is also a public holiday.
- When 26 January (Australia Day) falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the first Monday following 26 January is the public holiday.
- When Boxing Day falls on a Saturday the next following Monday is also a public holiday, and when Boxing Day falls on a Sunday or Monday the next following Tuesday is also a public holiday.
Western AustraliaFor more information on public holidays in Western Australia (for example, regional holidays), contact the WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
WA School Holidays 2026
🏖 Western Australia School Holiday and Term Breaks