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Australians have an opportunity to significantly extend their vacation time in 2026 by planning ahead, potentially turning their standard 20-day annual leave into more than 50 days off.
By strategically aligning vacation days with key public holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s, Australia Day, Easter, the King’s Birthday, and Labour Day (or its equivalent depending on the state or territory), those working a typical Monday-to-Friday schedule can enjoy a total of 53 days away from work.
This calculation doesn’t even take into account additional regional public holidays that could be utilized for further relaxation.
Below is a comprehensive list of 2026 public holidays, along with strategic tips to help you maximize your annual leave next year.
For instance, by taking four days off from January 27 to January 30, you can enjoy an extended break of nine days, spanning from Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, February 1, applicable across all Australian states and territories.
Australia’s public holidays by state and territory for 2026
Book four days of leave from January 27 to 30 and get nine days off between Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, February 1 (all states and territories).
Public holidays for the month fall on:
- Thursday, January 1: New Year’s Day
- Monday, January 26: Australia Day
Book four days of leave from February 10 to 13 for nine days off between Saturday, February 7 and Sunday February 15 (parts of Tasmania only).
Public holidays for the month fall on:
- Monday, February 9: Royal Hobart Regatta (parts of Tasmania)
Book four days of leave from March 3 to 6 for nine days off between Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, February 8 (WA only).
Book four days of leave from March 10 to 13 for nine days off between Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 15 (ACT, SA, Tasmania and Victoria only).
Public holidays for the month fall on:
- Monday, March 2: Labour Day (WA)
- Monday, March 9: Canberra Day (ACT), Adelaide Cup Day (SA), Eight Hours Day (Tasmania), Labour Day (Victoria)
Book eight days of leave from March 30 to April 2 and from April 7 to 10 for 16 days off between Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, April 12 (all states and territories).
Book another four days of leave from April 28 to May 1 for nine days off between Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, May 3 (WA only).
Public holidays for the month fall on:
- Friday, April 3: Good Friday
- Saturday, April 4: Easter Saturday
- Sunday, April 5: Easter Sunday
- Monday, April 6: Easter Monday
- Saturday, April 25: ANZAC Day
- Monday, April 27: ANZAC Day day in lieu (WA)
Book four days of leave from May 5 to 8 for nine days off between Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 10 (NT and Queensland only).
Public holidays for the month fall on:
- Monday, May 4: May Day (NT, Queensland)
Book four days of leave from June 2 to June 5 for nine days off between Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, June 7 (ACT and WA only).
Book four days of leave from June 9 to June 12 for nine days off between Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 14 (ACT, NSW, NT, SA, Tasmania and Victoria).
Public holidays for the month fall on:
- Monday, June 1: Reconciliation Day (ACT), Western Australia Day (WA)
- Monday, June 8: King’s Birthday (ACT, NSW, NT, SA, Tasmania, Victoria)
There are no public holidays in July.
Book four days of leave from August 4 to 7 for nine days off between Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 9 (NT only).
Book four days of leave from August 10 to 11 and 13 to 14 for nine days off between Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 16 (Brisbane area of Queensland only).
Public holidays for the month fall on:
- Monday, August 3: Picnic Day (NT)
- Wednesday, August 12: Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane area only)
Book four days of leave from September 29 to October 2 for nine days off between Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, October 4 (WA only).
Public holidays for the month fall on:
- Monday, September 28: King’s Birthday (WA)
Book four days of leave from October 6 to 9 for nine days off between Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 11 (ACT, NSW, SA and Queensland only).
Book four days of leave from October 23 to 26 for nine days off between Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 28 (Tasmania only).
Public holidays for the month fall on:
- Monday, October 5: Labour Day (ACT, NSW, SA), King’s Birthday (Queensland)
- Thursday, October 22: Royal Hobart Show (parts of Tasmania)
Book four days of leave from November 3 to 6 for nine days off between Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 8 (parts of Tasmania only).
Book four days of leave on November 2 and November 4 to 6 for nine days off between Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 8 (Victoria only).
Public holidays for the month fall on:
- Monday, November 2: Recreation Day (parts of Tasmania)
- Tuesday, November 3: Melbourne Cup (Victoria)
Book eight days off from December 21 to 24 and December 28 to 31 for 16 days off between Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, January 3, 2026 (all states and territories).
Public holidays for the month fall on:
- Thursday, December 24: Christmas Eve – 6pm to midnight (Queensland), 7pm to midnight (NT, SA)
- Friday, December 25: Christmas Day
- Saturday, December 26: Boxing Day (all states and territories except Tasmania)
- Monday, December 28: Boxing Day (day in lieu)
- Thursday, December 31: New Year’s Eve – 7pm to midnight (NT, SA)
- Friday, January 1, 2027: New Year’s Day
