Public Holidays Australia 2025: Full List by State
If you’ve ever tried to book a long weekend only to discover your state observed Queen’s Birthday three weeks before your neighbour’s, you’re not alone. Australia’s public holiday system runs on a state-by-state basis, which means the calendar looks different depending on where you clock in. This guide lays out every national date, flags the regional quirks, and gives you the specific dates you need for planning in 2025.
National public holidays: 7 · Australia Day observed: Monday 27 January · King’s Birthday varies by state: June or October
Quick snapshot
- Australia has 7 national public holidays (Tourism Australia)
- Good Friday falls on 18 April 2025 (Budget Direct)
- Christmas Day lands on 25 December 2025 (Budget Direct)
- Queensland’s precise King’s Birthday date for 2025 reportedly varies pending official confirmation
- Some local government areas may observe additional city-specific closures not reflected in state lists
- New Year’s Day: 1 January → Australia Day: 27 January → Easter period: 18–21 April → Anzac Day: 25 April
- King’s Birthday: 9 June (most states) → Christmas: 25–26 December
- State-specific holidays continue through mid-year with Labour Day variations by jurisdiction
- South Australia leads with 11 total public holidays, the most of any state or territory
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Wednesday 1 January |
| Australia Day | Monday 27 January |
| Good Friday | Friday 18 April |
| Easter Monday | Monday 21 April |
| Christmas Day | Thursday 25 December |
| Boxing Day | Friday 26 December |
What are the holidays in Australia in 2025?
Australia officially observes seven national public holidays each year. These dates apply in every state and territory, though individual jurisdictions layer on their own additional observances throughout the year.
National holidays
The national roster spans the full calendar. New Year’s Day lands on Wednesday, 1 January. Australia Day follows four weeks later on Monday, 27 January. The Easter period covers Friday 18 April through Monday 21 April. Anzac Day falls on Friday, 25 April. Christmas and Boxing Day close out the year on 25 and 26 December respectively.
Tourism Australia lists these seven dates as the national minimum standard, and the Fair Work Ombudsman confirms their application across all employment contexts.
State-specific additions
Beyond the national framework, each state and territory tucks in its own holidays. South Australia observes Adelaide Cup Day on 10 March. The ACT marks Canberra Day on the same date. Western Australia moves its Labour Day to 3 March rather than October. Northern Territory workers get May Day on 5 May and Picnic Day on 4 August. These additions mean the total number of public holidays in any given year depends entirely on where you live.
Is King’s birthday a public holiday in Australia?
Yes, King’s Birthday is a public holiday in Australia, but the date varies significantly depending on your location. This is one of the most notable quirks in the Australian holiday calendar.
Dates by state
Most states and territories observe King’s Birthday on Monday, 9 June 2025. This includes New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, and the Northern Territory. However, Western Australia holds its celebration on Monday, 29 September instead. Queensland’s date reportedly varies pending official confirmation from the state government.
Forbes Australia confirms the June date applies across most jurisdictions, though Queensland and Western Australia operate on their own schedules.
Observance rules
When King’s Birthday falls on a weekend, some states shift the observance to the following Monday. Retail trading restrictions often apply on these holidays, with different rules for large shopping centres versus local strip shops. Employees should check their applicable award or enterprise agreement, as penalty rates typically increase on public holidays.
What day do we get off for Australia Day 2025?
Australia Day 2025 is observed on Monday, 27 January. The holiday marks the anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival at Sydney Cove in 1788.
National observance
The 27 January date applies nationwide. When Australia Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, some states shift the public holiday to the following Monday. In 2025, the Monday observance is the standard date. Budget Direct lists the confirmed Monday date for all jurisdictions.
State variations
All states and territories close on Australia Day regardless of any additional local holidays. Government offices, banks, and most businesses observe the date nationally, though some retail operators in certain states may trade under restricted hours.
Is there a public holiday in Australia in May?
At the national level, no public holiday falls in May. However, one notable exception exists in the Northern Territory.
National level
The seven national holidays skip May entirely. Workers in most states and territories should not expect a paid day off during this month in 2025.
State exceptions
The Northern Territory observes May Day on Monday, 5 May 2025, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman. This makes May the month with the starkest contrast between territories. If you live in Darwin or other NT centres, you get a long weekend. Everyone else keeps working.
Which state in Australia has the most public holidays?
South Australia edges out every other state and territory in 2025, with 11 total public holidays combining the seven national dates plus four state-specific additions.
2025 totals by state
The breakdown shows South Australia leading at 11 total. Queensland comes in second with additional regional holidays. Tasmania and Western Australia also exceed the national minimum with their own state-specific observances.
National plus local
The disparity means a worker in Adelaide gets roughly four more days off annually than someone in Victoria, where the state-specific additions are fewer. This has practical implications for leave planning, childcare arrangements, and retail trading expectations.
Public holidays by state and territory
Eight jurisdictions, eight different calendars. The table below shows how 2025 public holidays distribute across each state and territory.
| State/Territory | State-specific holidays in 2025 | Total public holidays |
|---|---|---|
| South Australia | Adelaide Cup Day (10 Mar), Labour Day (6 Oct) | 11 |
| New South Wales | Labour Day (6 Oct), Bank Holiday (4 Aug) | 9 |
| Australian Capital Territory | Canberra Day (10 Mar), Reconciliation Day (2 Jun), Labour Day (6 Oct) | 10 |
| Western Australia | Labour Day (3 Mar), Western Australia Day (2 Jun) | 9 |
| Northern Territory | May Day (5 May), Picnic Day (4 Aug) | 9 |
| Queensland | Queen’s/King’s Birthday (date TBC) | 8 |
| Tasmania | Royal Hobart Regatta (10 Feb) | 8 |
| Victoria | Labour Day (10 Mar) | 8 |
The implication: workers comparing job offers across states should factor these holiday differences into total compensation calculations.
Key dates timeline
Five clusters drive the Australian holiday year: the New Year period, Australia Day, Easter, mid-year celebratory dates, and the Christmas season.
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 27 January | Australia Day |
| 18 April | Good Friday |
| 25 April | Anzac Day |
| 25–26 December | Christmas Day and Boxing Day |
The pattern: most national holidays cluster in the first and last quarters of the year, with a gap from May through September aside from King’s Birthday.
What we know vs what’s uncertain
The Australian holiday landscape is well documented at the national level, but regional details carry some gaps worth noting.
Confirmed
- National dates from Fair Work Ombudsman and Tourism Australia
- Australia Day Monday 27 January observance
- Most states observe King’s Birthday on 9 June
- Western Australia holds King’s Birthday on 29 September
- ACT and SA Labour Day on 6 October
Uncertain
- Queensland’s King’s Birthday date for 2025 pending official state confirmation
- Some local council closures not listed in state-level schedules
- Whether Easter Tuesday will expand beyond public sector in any state
QLD workers face a planning gap: the state’s King’s Birthday date for 2025 reportedly awaits confirmation, meaning leave requests for that period carry uncertainty that workers in other states don’t face.
What experts say
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman confirms that national public holidays apply across all states and territories, but notes that additional public holidays are a matter for state and territory governments.
Tourism Australia
Tourism Australia lists seven national public holidays as the standard framework, advising visitors that state-specific holidays affect travel planning depending on destinations within Australia.
For employers managing distributed workforces across state lines, the variation means payroll calculations for penalty rates need state-specific logic rather than a single national rule.
Related reading: Renew Rego NSW guide · Blue Slip QLD Safety Certificate
11holidays.com, groupaccommodation.com, youtube.com, holidays-and-observances.com, australia.com, en.wikipedia.org, schoolholidaysdates.com.au
New South Wales features twelve statewide observances in 2025, with dates and pay rules detailed in the NSW 2025 public holidays list that aligns with Fair Work standards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest annual public holiday in Australia?
Christmas Day typically sees the broadest nationwide observance, with nearly all businesses, government offices, and retail closures across every state and territory on 25 December.
Why is 9th June a holiday in Australia?
King’s Birthday falls on 9 June in most states as a continuation of the former Queen’s Birthday tradition. The date does not correspond to the monarch’s actual birthday but rather marks a traditional celebratory date in the British calendar that Australia adopted historically.
Why doesn’t Australia celebrate May Day?
May Day as a public holiday exists only in the Northern Territory, where it falls on 5 May 2025. Other states and territories historically adopted Labour Day celebrations in March or October instead, making May 1 a regular working day for most Australians.
What are public holidays in WA 2025?
Western Australia’s 2025 public holidays include the seven national dates plus Labour Day on 3 March and Western Australia Day on 2 June. Western Australia also observes King’s Birthday later than other states, on 29 September.
Is Anzac Day on 25 April 2025?
Yes, Anzac Day falls on Friday, 25 April 2025. The day commemorates Australian and New Zealand Army Corps service and is observed nationwide with dawn services, parades, and ceremonies at war memorials.
Public holidays Australia 2026 preview?
The 2026 calendar will follow similar national dates, with New Year’s Day on 1 January and Australia Day on 26 January (Monday). State-specific dates, particularly King’s Birthday and Labour Day variations, will be confirmed by state governments closer to the year.
How many public holidays in Sydney 2025?
Sydney observes the seven national public holidays plus NSW-specific Labour Day on 6 October and the Bank Holiday on 4 August, totaling nine paid days off for NSW workers in 2025.
Are there public holidays in Victoria 2025?
Victoria observes the seven national holidays plus Labour Day on 10 March 2025, giving workers a total of eight public holidays for the year. Victoria does not observe Adelaide Cup Day, Bank Holiday, or Canberra Day.
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