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Australia celebrates several public holidays throughout the year when government offices, banks, and some shops are closed. The dates of these public holidays vary across different states and territories in Australia. Some of the National Public Holidays in Australia include New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. In addition to these, there are other public holidays declared by individual state and territory governments, such as Canberra Day, Reconciliation Day, Labour Day, and King's Birthday. The timing of these public holidays can also be influenced by when they fall within the calendar year, with some adjustments made when they occur during the weekend.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| National Public Holidays | New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day |
| Australian Capital Territory | Canberra Day, Reconciliation Day, King's Birthday, Labour Day |
| New South Wales | King's Birthday, Labour Day |
| Northern Territory | May Day, King's Birthday, Alice Springs Show Day, Tennant Creek Show Day, Katherine Show Day, Darwin Show Day |
| Queensland | N/A |
| South Australia | N/A |
| Tasmania | Labour Day, King's Birthday |
| Victoria | Labour Day, King's Birthday, Melbourne Cup Day |
| Western Australia | Labour Day, Western Australia Day, King's Birthday |
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What You'll Learn
National public holidays
Australia has several National Public Holidays throughout the year when banks, offices, and some shops are closed. The dates of these holidays differ from those in other countries.
The National Public Holidays are:
- New Year's Day (1 January)
- Australia Day (26 January)
- Good Friday (date varies)
- Easter Monday (date varies)
- Anzac Day (25 April)
- Christmas Day (25 December)
- Boxing Day (26 December)
If Australia Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the public holiday is observed on the following Monday. Similarly, if Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the public holiday is observed on the following Monday, and if it falls on a Sunday or Monday, the public holiday is observed on the following Tuesday.
In addition to these, there are other public holidays declared by the state and territory governments, such as Canberra Day, Reconciliation Day, King's Birthday (also known as the Queen's Birthday), and Labour Day (also known as Eight Hours Day in Tasmania and May Day in the Northern Territory). The date of Labour Day varies across the states and territories, commemorating the granting of the eight-hour workday for Australians and recognizing workers' contributions to the nation's economy.
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State-specific public holidays
Australia has seven national public holidays that are recognised in each of its eight states and territories. However, each state also has its own public holidays that are exclusive to their region. These are determined by a combination of statutes and proclamations.
Australian Capital Territory
- Canberra Day: Celebrated on the second Monday of March.
- Reconciliation Day: Celebrated on the first Monday of June.
- Labour Day: Celebrated on the first Monday of October.
New South Wales
- King's Birthday: Celebrated on the second Monday of June.
- Labour Day: Celebrated on the first Monday of October.
Northern Territory
- May Day: Celebrated on the first Monday of May.
- King's Birthday: Celebrated on the second Monday of June.
- Alice Springs Show Day: Celebrated on the first Friday of July.
- Tennant Creek Show Day: Celebrated on the second Friday of July.
- Katherine Show Day: Celebrated on the third Friday of July.
- Darwin Show Day: Celebrated on the fourth Monday of July.
Queensland
Christmas Eve: Celebrated from 6 pm to midnight on 24 December.
South Australia
Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve: Celebrated from 7 pm to midnight on 24 December and 31 December, respectively.
Tasmania
- Eight Hours Day: Also known as Labour Day, this holiday celebrates the achievement of an eight-hour working day by stonemasons and building workers in Melbourne, Australia, in 1856. It is celebrated on the second Monday of March.
- Easter Tuesday: A restricted public holiday observed by some awards, agreements, and the State Public Service.
Victoria
- Labour Day: Celebrated on the second Monday of March.
- King's Birthday: Celebrated on the second Monday of June.
- Melbourne Cup Day: Celebrated on the Tuesday before the first Saturday in November.
Western Australia
- Labour Day: Celebrated on the first Monday of March.
- Western Australia Day: Celebrated on the first Monday of June.
- King's Birthday: Celebrated on the fourth Monday of September. Regional areas may celebrate on an alternative date.
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Regional public holidays
In Australia, public holidays are determined by a combination of statutes and proclamations. They are a mix of nationally celebrated days and holidays exclusive to individual jurisdictions. Each state and territory has its own public holidays in addition to national public holidays.
Labour Day, also known as Eight Hours Day in Tasmania and May Day in the Northern Territory, is observed in each state and territory, but the date varies. It commemorates the granting of the eight-hour workday for Australians and recognizes workers' contributions to the nation's economy.
Some regional and rural areas in New South Wales (NSW) have Local Public Holidays and Local Event Days to recognize significant annual events for the local community, such as agricultural shows or racing carnivals. These are declared by the Minister for Industrial Relations upon application by a local council.
- Canberra Day: Celebrated in the Australian Capital Territory on the second Monday in March.
- Reconciliation Day: Observed in the Australian Capital Territory on the first Monday in June.
- Melbourne Cup Day: A public holiday in Victoria and some parts of other states, held on the Tuesday before the first Saturday in November.
- Western Australia Day: Celebrated on the first Monday in June in Western Australia.
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Labour Day
In the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and South Australia, Labour Day is observed on the first Monday in October. In Victoria and Tasmania, it is observed on the second Monday in March, though the latter calls it Eight Hours Day. In Western Australia, Labour Day is the first Monday in March, and in Queensland and the Northern Territory, it occurs on the first Monday in May, though the latter calls it May Day.
The date of Labour Day in Australia was not always as it is now. In some parts of Australia, the date was moved from May to the second Monday in March after World War II. Since 1948, Labour Day in Western Australia has been observed on the first Monday in March. The number eight has often been spotted on many union buildings in Australia to symbolize an eight-hour working day.
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King's Birthday
The King's Birthday is a public holiday in Australia, during which government offices, educational institutions, and most businesses are closed for the day. The holiday was first celebrated in Australia in 1788 when Governor Arthur Phillip declared a holiday to mark King George III's birthday.
In 2023, the holiday's name changed from "Queen's Birthday" to "King's Birthday" following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, which made King Charles III the new King of Australia. The date of the holiday was also changed, as it was previously celebrated on the second Saturday in June to commemorate the Queen's birthday.
The King's Birthday is now observed on the second Monday in June in most Australian states and territories, except for Western Australia and Queensland. This date was chosen to increase the likelihood of fair weather during the birthday celebrations. In the Northern Hemisphere, June is the first month of summer and is typically drier and warmer than other months. However, in Australia, June marks the beginning of winter and tends to be one of the coolest and wettest months.
Western Australia usually observes the holiday on the fourth Monday of September or the first Monday of October, with the date proclaimed annually by the state's governor. Queensland celebrates the King's Birthday on the first Monday of October. Regional areas in Western Australia may celebrate the King's Birthday on an alternative date, such as Monday, 23 September 2024, or Monday, 29 September 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
Government offices in Australia are closed on public holidays. The dates of these holidays vary across the states and territories, but the nationally observed ones include:
- New Year's Day
- Australia Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Anzac Day
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
Each public holiday commemorates a significant event or day in the country's history. For example, Australia Day is celebrated on 26 January to mark the anniversary of the first fleet of British ships arriving in Australia and the raising of the British flag over Sydney Cove in 1788. Labour Day, also known as Eight Hours Day in Tasmania and May Day in the Northern Territory, commemorates the granting of the eight-hour working day for Australians.
Yes, regional areas in Western Australia may celebrate the King's Birthday Public Holiday on an alternative date, usually to coincide with a significant date or event for that area. Additionally, there are other public holidays declared by individual state and territory governments, such as Canberra Day in the Australian Capital Territory and Alice Springs Show Day in the Northern Territory.
