Public holidays

Public holidays can be different depending on the state or territory you work in.

It's important to know when public holidays are because employees can get different entitlements on these days.

You can calculate these entitlements using our Pay Calculator. 

Go to our List of public holidays page for a full list of public holidays in your state or territory.

Public holidays coming up in the next few months in your state or territory include:

Australian Capital Territory

  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Monday 1 January - New Year's Day

New South Wales

  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Monday 1 January - New Year's Day

Northern Territory

  • Sunday 24 December - Christmas Eve*
  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Sunday 31 December - New Year's Eve*
  • Monday 1 January - New Year's Day

*from 7pm till midnight

Queensland

  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Monday 1 January - New Year's Day

South Australia

  • Sunday 24 December - Christmas Eve*
  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing day / Proclamation Day
  • Sunday 31 December - New Year's Eve*
  • Monday 1 January - New Year's Day

*from 7pm to midnight 

Tasmania

  • Monday 6 November - Recreation Day*
  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Monday 1 January - New Year's Day

*only applies under certain awards or registered agreements and to the state public service

Victoria

  • Tuesday 7 November - Melbourne Cup*
  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Monday 1 January - New Year's Day

*all of Victoria is entitled to Melbourne Cup public holiday unless a different local holiday has been declared for non-metropolitan areas

Western Australia

  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Monday 1 January - New Year's Day

Working outside your state or region on a public holiday

An employee is entitled to public holidays depending on where they are based for work not where they are working on the day of the public holiday.

Example: Employee working outside their state on a day that is a public holiday

Cass is an employee of a business located in Melbourne. She has been sent to Sydney to perform work during November. During her interstate visit, the Melbourne Cup public holiday is observed. As Cass's base of employment is Melbourne, she is entitled to the public holiday entitlements for that day, even though it is not a public holiday where she is physically working.

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