Australia 2026 Public Holidays: The Complete Guide by State
Planning around Australia 2026 public holidays is essential whether you are managing a business, booking family travel, or organising your school year. From New Year’s Day through Boxing Day, the Australia 2026 public holidays calendar covers national dates as well as state-specific observances that affect workplaces, schools, and services across every territory. This complete guide lists every confirmed Australia 2026 public holiday, provides state-by-state breakdowns, school holiday blocks, key sporting events, and everything you need to plan your year with confidence.
Australia observes a mix of national holidays that apply everywhere and additional state or territory holidays that vary considerably by region. According to the Fair Work Commission, knowing which dates apply in your state is critical for correctly calculating penalty rates and leave entitlements. Below you will find the complete picture.
Australia 2026 Public Holidays — printable calendar overview
National Public Holidays in Australia 2026
The following Australia 2026 public holidays apply across all states and territories, though observed dates can shift slightly when a date falls on a weekend. You can also download our free printable 2026 Australia calendar with all national and state holidays pre-marked.
New Year’s Day falls on Thursday 1 January 2026. It is the first public holiday of the year and universally observed across the country.
Australia Day is on Monday 26 January 2026. The date commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 and is one of the most recognised public holidays on the national calendar. In 2026 it already lands on a Monday, making it a natural long weekend from Saturday through Monday with no substitute day required. The Australian Government’s official public holidays page confirms the date for all states.
Good Friday falls on Friday 3 April 2026. It marks the start of the Easter long weekend and is a full public holiday nationwide. Most retail stores, banks, and government offices close entirely.
Easter Saturday (the Saturday before Easter Sunday) is 4 April 2026. Its public holiday status varies by state — NSW, ACT, VIC, and QLD observe it as a public holiday, while other states do not.
Easter Sunday is 5 April 2026. Status again varies by jurisdiction. NSW and ACT include it as a public holiday; most other states do not.
Easter Monday is 6 April 2026. This is a national public holiday observed in every state and territory without exception. Easter Monday consistently ranks among the highest-searched Australia public holidays dates, with search interest peaking sharply each March and April.
Anzac Day is Saturday 25 April 2026. Because it falls on a Saturday, several states provide a substitute Monday public holiday on 27 April. Anzac Day commemorates Australian and New Zealand Army Corps members who served in World War One and all subsequent conflicts. The Australian War Memorial provides the full history of dawn services and national commemorations held each year.
Christmas Day is Friday 25 December 2026. It is one of the two highest-traffic Australia 2026 public holidays alongside Easter Monday. Businesses that operate on Christmas Day are subject to penalty rates under the National Employment Standards.
Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December 2026. Because it lands on a Saturday, an additional substitute public holiday is observed on Monday 28 December 2026 in most states. This effectively creates a four-day Christmas long weekend from Thursday 25 December through Monday 28 December for many workers.
Australia 2026 Public Holidays by State
Beyond the national calendar, each state and territory adds its own public holidays. These are the confirmed dates for NSW, VIC, WA, and the ACT. For a month-by-month view, see our January 2026 Australia printable calendar which shows all January observances including Australia Day.
New South Wales (NSW)
NSW observes all national Australia 2026 public holidays and adds the following state-specific dates. The NSW Government’s official public holidays list is the authoritative source for confirmed dates.
- Easter Saturday (4 April) and Easter Sunday (5 April) are full public holidays in NSW.
- Labour Day – Monday 5 October 2026. Labour Day in NSW falls on the first Monday of October and recognises the historic eight-hour workday movement.
NSW workers and employers should note the Easter block: from Good Friday 3 April through Easter Monday 6 April, four consecutive public holiday days apply — the longest unbroken run in the Australia 2026 public holidays calendar.
Victoria (VIC)
Victoria’s additional holidays include some of the most distinctive in the country. The Victorian Government business portal publishes the complete VIC schedule.
- Labour Day – Monday 9 March 2026. Victoria observes Labour Day on the second Monday of March, considerably earlier than NSW.
- King’s Birthday – Monday 8 June 2026. Victoria celebrates the King’s Birthday on the second Monday of June. Most other states hold this holiday in September or October.
- Melbourne Cup Day – Tuesday 3 November 2026. This applies to the Melbourne metropolitan area only and is one of the most unusual public holidays in the world — a day off granted for a horse race. Regional Victoria does not observe it as a public holiday.
Western Australia (WA)
- Labour Day – Monday 2 March 2026. WA Labour Day falls on the first Monday of March.
- Western Australia Day – Monday 1 June 2026. Formerly known as Foundation Day, this holiday marks the founding of the Swan River Colony in 1829. Confirmed by the WA Government public holidays page.
- King’s Birthday – Monday 5 October 2026. WA observes the King’s Birthday on the fourth Monday of September or first Monday of October — a different date from most other states.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- Canberra Day – Monday 9 March 2026. This holiday marks the naming of Australia’s capital city and falls on the second Monday of March.
- Reconciliation Day – Monday 1 June 2026. Unique to the ACT, Reconciliation Day was established in 2018 to promote awareness and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories. The ACT Government’s public holidays PDF has the full 2026 list.
School Holidays Australia 2026
School holidays matter just as much as Australia 2026 public holidays for families, travel operators, and employers. The 2026 school year follows the standard four-term structure across all states.
New South Wales School Holidays 2026
Term 1 runs from 27 January to 2 April, with autumn holidays from 3 to 19 April. Term 2 covers 20 April to 3 July, followed by winter holidays from 4 to 19 July. Term 3 runs 20 July to 25 September, with spring holidays from 26 September to 11 October. Term 4 concludes on 17 December, and summer holidays begin 18 December, running through to late January 2027.
Victoria School Holidays 2026
Term 1: 27 January to 2 April. Autumn break: 3 to 19 April. Term 2: 20 April to 26 June. Winter break: 27 June to 12 July. Term 3: 13 July to 18 September. Spring break: 19 September to 5 October. Term 4: 6 October to 19 December. Summer holidays begin 20 December.
Australian Capital Territory School Holidays 2026
Term 1: 30 January to 2 April. Autumn break: 3 to 20 April. Term 2: 21 April to 3 July. Winter break: 4 to 20 July. Term 3: 21 July to 25 September. Spring break: 26 September to 12 October. Term 4: 13 October to 18 December. Summer holidays begin 19 December.
Summer holidays in all states represent the longest break of the year and coincide with the peak domestic travel season, particularly over the Christmas and Boxing Day long weekend created by the Australia 2026 public holidays schedule. Plan ahead using our free printable 2026 Australia calendar to visualise the full year at a glance.
Key Sporting Events on the 2026 Australian Calendar
Australia 2026 public holidays and school holidays combine with major sporting events to define the country’s annual rhythm. The dates below are confirmed for 2026.
Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix takes place at Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, with race day on Sunday 8 March 2026. The full weekend runs Friday 6 March through Sunday 8 March. Practice sessions begin on Friday at 12:30, qualifying on Saturday at 16:00, and the race on Sunday at 15:00 local time.
AFL Season opens with Sydney vs Carlton at the SCG on Thursday 5 March 2026. The AFL Gather Round is scheduled for 9–12 April in South Australia. The AFL Grand Final returns to the MCG on Saturday 26 September 2026.
NRL State of Origin Game II is at the MCG on Wednesday 17 June 2026. Game III moves to Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday 8 July. The NRL Grand Final is at Accor Stadium, Sydney, on Sunday 4 October 2026.
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Final is scheduled for Sunday 15 November at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Moon Phases in Australia 2026
For those who garden, fish, or photograph the night sky, the main lunar phase dates for Sydney in 2026 are listed below. Notable events include a total lunar eclipse on the night of 3–4 March, Super New Moons on 17 May and 15 June, a Blue Moon and Micro Full Moon on 31 May, and a Super Full Moon on 24 December — coinciding with the Christmas long weekend from the Australia 2026 public holidays calendar.
| Month | Key Lunar Dates |
|---|---|
| January | 3, 11, 19, 26 |
| February | 2, 9, 17, 24 |
| March | 3 (total lunar eclipse), 11, 19, 26 |
| April | 2, 10, 17, 24 |
| May | 2, 10, 17 (Super New Moon), 23, 31 (Blue Moon) |
| June | 8, 15 (Super New Moon), 22, 30 |
| July | 8, 14, 21, 30 |
| August | 6, 13, 20, 28 |
| September | 4, 11, 19, 27 |
| October | 3, 11, 19, 26 |
| November | 2, 9, 17, 25 |
| December | 1, 9, 17, 24 (Super Full Moon), 31 |
Planning Around Long Weekends in 2026
Australia 2026 public holidays create several long weekends worth booking around early. The Easter block is the longest, with Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April giving most workers a four-day break. Travellers who add Thursday 2 April as annual leave extend this to five consecutive days.
The Anzac Day weekend in late April combines well with school holidays in most states. For a detailed monthly view, our January 2026 Australia printable calendar is the ideal starting point for planning the first quarter of the year.
Christmas 2026 delivers a run from Thursday 25 December through Monday 28 December (substitute Boxing Day), a four-day weekend that, combined with New Year’s Day on Thursday 1 January 2027, makes late December the most significant domestic travel period in the Australia 2026 public holidays year.
Businesses with interstate operations should track each state’s Labour Day date separately — it falls in March in VIC, WA, and ACT but not until October in NSW and Queensland. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s 2026 public holidays guide outlines employer obligations for each date and state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holidays are there in Australia in 2026?
At the national level there are eight confirmed Australia 2026 public holidays. When state-specific holidays are added, the total ranges from 10 to 13 days depending on your state or territory. Victoria has the highest count thanks to Melbourne Cup Day; South Australia adds Proclamation Day in December.
Is Easter Monday 2026 a public holiday in all states?
Yes. Easter Monday on 6 April 2026 is a national public holiday observed in every Australian state and territory. Good Friday on 3 April is also universal. Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday have varying status by state.
When is Australia Day 2026?
Australia Day 2026 falls on Monday 26 January. It is a national public holiday. In 2026 it lands on a Monday, so there is no substitute day.
When does Anzac Day fall in 2026 and is there a substitute day?
Anzac Day 2026 is Saturday 25 April. Because it falls on a weekend, some states observe a substitute public holiday on Monday 27 April. Check your state’s official gazette for confirmation.
What date is Boxing Day in 2026?
Boxing Day is 26 December 2026, a Saturday. A substitute public holiday is observed on Monday 28 December in most states, creating a four-day Christmas long weekend.
Are school holidays the same across all Australian states in 2026?
No. All states follow a four-term structure but the exact dates differ by state and school system. Always confirm with your individual school or state education department.
When is the F1 Australian Grand Prix in 2026?
The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix takes place at Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, with race day on Sunday 8 March 2026. The full event weekend runs Friday 6 to Sunday 8 March.
Related Calendars on Calendarena
- Free Printable 2026 Australia Calendar — full year with all national and state holidays pre-marked
- January 2026 Printable Calendar Australia — Australia Day and New Year planning
