Omari Gates
Australia has seven national public holidays that are recognised in each of its eight states and territories. However, each state and territory also has its own public holidays, which can be celebrated on different dates. For example, the Labour Day public holiday varies across the states and territories, with Western Australia celebrating in March and New South Wales in October. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Victoria have the most full-day public holidays, with 13 days off. New South Wales and Western Australia have the least, with 11 public holidays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of national public holidays | 7 or 9 |
| Number of public holidays in each state | Varies, between 11 and 13 |
| States with the most public holidays | ACT, Victoria |
| States with the least public holidays | New South Wales, Western Australia |
| States with part-day public holidays on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve | South Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland |
| States with a public holiday on Easter Tuesday | Tasmania, Victoria (partially) |
| States with a public holiday on Boxing Day | All except South Australia (which has Proclamation Day instead) |
| States with a public holiday on Australia Day (26 January) | All |
| States with a public holiday on Anzac Day (25 April) | All |
| States with a public holiday on King's Birthday | All, but date varies |
| States with a public holiday on Labour Day | All, but date varies |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The number of public holidays in each state
Australia has seven national public holidays that are recognised in each of its eight states and territories. However, each state and territory also has the power to create additional holidays, resulting in a varying number of public holidays across the country.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has the most public holidays, with 13 days off in total, including 11 national holidays and two state-specific holidays: Canberra Day in March and Reconciliation Day in May.
Victoria is tied with the ACT, also offering 13 days off to its residents. Notable holidays include Melbourne Cup Day, which is applicable to all parts of the state, and the AFL Grand Final, which is subject to the AFL schedule.
The Northern Territory (NT) and South Australia (SA) both have 12 days off, with additional part-holidays on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. In South Australia, every public holiday and Sunday is a bank holiday. Notable holidays include Proclamation Day, which is observed on Boxing Day instead of the day after Christmas, and Adelaide Cup Day, dedicated to a horse racing event.
Queensland has no state-wide holidays but does observe the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) in August, a half-day on Christmas Eve, and Easter Saturday, marked as "the day after Good Friday". In total, Queensland has 11 public holidays.
Western Australia and New South Wales are tied for last place, with 11 public holidays each. Western Australia Day, celebrated on the first Monday in June, is unique to the state. New South Wales observes the Easter long weekend, Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Australia Day, and Anzac Day.
Tasmania has the third-highest number of public holidays, with 12. However, there is no dedicated public holiday for Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve, or New Year's Eve.
Pennsylvania to Australia: Miles and Miles Away
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Labour Day dates
Labour Day is a public holiday in all states and territories in Australia, although the date varies across the states and territories. The holiday commemorates the granting of the eight-hour working day for Australians and recognises workers' contributions to the nation's economy. Labour Day is often spent having a barbecue in the park, and many people use the day off as part of a long weekend.
Labour Day in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and South Australia
In the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and South Australia, Labour Day is observed on the first Monday in October. In 2025, Labour Day will fall on 5 October in these states.
Labour Day in Victoria and Tasmania
Victoria and Tasmania observe Labour Day on the second Monday in March. In Tasmania, it is known as Eight Hours Day. In 2025, Labour Day will fall on 9 March in these states.
Labour Day in Western Australia
Western Australia celebrates Labour Day on the first Monday in March. In 2025, Labour Day will fall on 2 March.
Labour Day in the Northern Territory and Queensland
The Northern Territory and Queensland observe Labour Day on the first Monday in May. In the Northern Territory, it is known as May Day. In 2025, Labour Day will fall on 4 May in these states.
Compulsory Voting: Should Australia Change Its Electoral System?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
King's Birthday dates
Australia has seven national public holidays recognised in each of its eight states and territories. However, each state and territory government can declare its own public holidays, which may be the same as other states or celebrated on different dates.
The King's Birthday is a public holiday in six states, two external territories, and two territories. It is observed on the second Monday in June in most areas, though there are exceptions. The date is proclaimed each year by the state's governor.
- In New South Wales, the King's Birthday is observed on the second Monday in June.
- In Queensland, the holiday is celebrated on the first Monday of October.
- In South Australia, the King's Birthday falls on the second Monday in June.
- In Victoria, the King's Birthday is also celebrated on the second Monday in June.
- In Western Australia, the date varies and is proclaimed by the governor each year. It is usually the last Monday in September or the first Monday in October.
- The Australian Capital Territory observes the King's Birthday on the second Monday in June.
- The Northern Territory celebrates the holiday on the first Monday in June.
The King's Birthday Honours List, in which new members of the Order of Australia and other honours are announced, is released around the date of the King's Birthday weekend each June. The holiday was first celebrated in Australia in 1788 when Governor Arthur Phillip declared a holiday to mark King George III's birthday. Originally, the holiday fell on the monarch's actual birthday. However, after the death of King George V in 1936, the date was changed to the second Monday in June.
Base Rate Entity: Australia's Unique Employment System
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Territory-specific holidays
Australia has seven national public holidays that are recognised in each of its eight states and territories. However, each state and territory also has its own public holidays that are exclusive to their region. Here are some examples of territory-specific holidays:
Australian Capital Territory
- Canberra Day: Celebrated on the second Monday in March.
- Reconciliation Day: Celebrated on the first Monday in June.
- Labour Day: Celebrated on the first Monday in October.
Northern Territory
- May Day: Celebrated on the first Monday in May.
- Picnic Day: Celebrated on the first Monday in August.
- Territory Day: Celebrated on 1 July with fireworks to commemorate the day the Northern Territory was granted self-governance.
Queensland
- Labour Day: Celebrated on the first Monday in May.
- Royal Queensland Show: A restricted public holiday that falls on the second Wednesday in August.
South Australia
- Adelaide Cup Day: Celebrated on the second Monday in March.
- Proclamation Day: Celebrated on 26 December, replacing Boxing Day.
It is important to note that the dates of these territory-specific holidays may vary from year to year, and some may coincide with other holidays.
Pine Nuts: Can They Grow Down Under?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$7.99
National public holidays
Australia has seven national public holidays that are recognised in each of the eight states and territories. However, each state also has its own public holidays that are specific to their region. Some of these holidays may be the same as other states but celebrated on different dates.
The seven national public holidays are:
- Christmas Day: celebrated annually on 25 December to commemorate the birth of Jesus.
- Boxing Day: celebrated on 26 December every year, except in South Australia where it is replaced by Proclamation Day.
- New Year's Day.
- Australia Day: celebrated on 26 January, the day the first British settlement was established at Port Jackson by Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788.
- Anzac Day: a nationwide public holiday on 25 April.
- Good Friday: the day before Easter Sunday.
- Easter Monday: can occur as late as 26 April and may coincide with Anzac Day.
In addition to these national public holidays, there are other notable days that are celebrated in Australia. One such day is Labour Day, which is observed in each state and territory but falls on different dates. For example, in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and South Australia, it is observed on the first Monday in October, while in Queensland and the Northern Territory, it is celebrated on the first Monday in May. Another example is King's Birthday, which is marked in June in some states and October in others.
Exploring Fiji: Travel Tips from Australia
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are seven national public holidays recognised in each of the eight states and territories. However, each state and territory also has its own public holidays.
There are 13 public holidays in the Australian Capital Territory, including 11 national holidays and two state-specific holidays.
New South Wales has 11 public holidays.
Queensland has 11 public holidays. However, another source states that there are no state-wide holidays in Queensland.
Victoria has 13 public holidays.
