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Moving to Australia means learning more than just a new education system or workplace culture. It also means adjusting to a new calendar of public holidays that affects your classes, shifts, transport and travel plans. Understanding how these holidays work will help you plan your time, avoid surprises and make the most of long weekends. Public holidays in Australia are set at both national and state or territory level. This means some dates are celebrated everywhere, while others only apply where you live, study or work.
How public holidays work in Australia
Australia has two main types of public holidays: national (or “common”) holidays, which are recognised across the country, and state or territory holidays, which differ between regions. On these days, many government offices, banks, schools and universities close, and a lot of workers are entitled to the day off or higher pay.
Because public holidays are set by law, employers must follow specific rules for pay, leave and rostering. If you work casually or part‑time, these days may attract penalty rates or substitute days off, depending on your award or employment agreement. Always check with your employer or education provider if you are not sure how a particular holiday affects you.
Australia’s major national public holidays
These public holidays are observed in every state and territory, although the exact “observed” date can move to a Monday if the day falls on a weekend.
- New Year’s Day (1 January) – Marks the beginning of the calendar year, often celebrated with fireworks, festivals and outdoor events in major cities and regional centres.
- Australia Day (26 January, or the following Monday when observed) – A national day featuring citizenship ceremonies, community events and debates about Australia’s history and identity.
- Good Friday and Easter Monday (March or April) – Two key days in the Christian Easter period that bookend a four‑day long weekend; many people travel, attend religious services or take short breaks.
- Anzac Day (25 April) – A day of remembrance for Australians and New Zealanders who served in wars and peacekeeping operations, with dawn services, marches and commemorations across the country.
- King’s Birthday (date varies by state, usually June) – Celebrated as the monarch’s official birthday and generally gives workers a Monday off in the cooler months.
- Christmas Day (25 December) – A major cultural and religious holiday, with most shops and offices closed and limited public transport services.
- Boxing Day (26 December) – Known for summer sports fixtures and major retail sales, especially in large shopping centres and CBDs.
Some jurisdictions also treat Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve as part‑day public holidays from late afternoon, which mainly affects pay rates rather than whether businesses open.
State and territory differences you should know
On top of the national holidays, each state and territory adds its own extra days. These might celebrate a local event, a sporting tradition or a regional show.
- New South Wales (NSW) – Includes a Labour Day holiday in October and recognises several regional events, although not all are statewide days off.
- Victoria (VIC) – Has public holidays for the Melbourne Cup and, in recent years, additional sporting events such as the AFL Grand Final.
- Queensland (QLD) – Features Labour Day in May and regional show holidays like the Brisbane Exhibition (Ekka), when parts of Brisbane have a mid‑week day off.
- Western Australia (WA) – Recognises Western Australia Day in June and observes Labour Day earlier in March than most other states.
- South Australia (SA) – Adds events such as Adelaide Cup Day and part‑day public holidays on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
- Tasmania (TAS) – Uses several regional “show days” such as Royal Hobart Show, Launceston Show and Recreation Day for different parts of the state.
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Has Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day as territory‑specific holidays
- Northern Territory (NT) – Includes May Day, Picnic Day and local show holidays in regions like Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine.
Because these dates can change each year, always refer to the relevant state or territory government website or a national public‑holiday portal for the latest calendar.
Why public holidays matter if you study or work in Australia
If you are an international student or new migrant, public holidays affect several parts of your daily life.
- Study and class schedules – Universities, TAFEs and schools usually close on public holidays and shift assessments or classes to the next business day. Checking your academic calendar alongside the public‑holiday list can prevent surprises.
- Work and income – Many students work in hospitality, retail or service roles that roster shifts on public holidays. These days can bring higher pay rates, but you may also be asked to work when others have the day off, so clarify your rights early.
- Services, shopping and transport – Public transport often runs on a Sunday or holiday timetable, and shops may have reduced trading hours, especially on Good Friday, Anzac Day and Christmas Day.
Planning ahead makes it easier to decide whether to pick up extra shifts, organise study sessions, or take a short trip during long weekends.
Making the most of Australian public holidays
Rather than seeing public holidays only as closures or timetable changes, use them as a way to experience Australian culture and explore your new home.
- Explore your city or region – Many communities hold free events, markets or festivals on long weekends, which are ideal opportunities to discover beaches, national parks or nearby towns.
- Join local traditions – Attending an Anzac Day dawn service, a regional show or a community Australia Day event can help you understand local customs and meet new people.
- Plan your budget and leave – If you work, combine public holidays with your annual leave to create longer breaks without using as many leave days. Travel and accommodation can sell out quickly around Easter and Christmas, so book early.
- Know your entitlements – Use official resources from the Fair Work Ombudsman or your state government to check whether you are owed penalty rates, an alternative day off or minimum hours when working on a public holiday.
Public holidays are an important part of life in Australia, shaping everything from public culture to work conditions. Understanding how they operate will help you feel more confident, plan smarter and enjoy your time studying or building a new life here.
