Public holidays in Australia in 2027 combine seven national gazetted holidays with state-specific dates that vary across NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, NT, and ACT. The number of public holidays ranges from 7 in some states to 10 or more in others, depending on which state-specific holidays are observed. For employers, the implications go beyond simply closing for the day — penalty rates, Mondayisation rules, and employee entitlements vary by award, agreement, and state legislation. Getting the dates wrong creates payroll errors and employee relations issues.
This guide covers the full 2027 public holiday calendar for Australia: national dates, state-by-state dates, penalty rates, Mondayisation rules, and employer obligations.
Key takeaways
- Seven national public holidays apply across all states and territories in 2027.
- State-specific holidays add additional days, ranging from 0 (SA) to 3+ (QLD, TAS, NT).
- Mondayisation applies when a public holiday falls on a weekend — some holidays are moved to the following Monday.
- Penalty rates depend on the employee’s award or agreement — most awards require penalty rates for work on public holidays.
- Employers must display the public holiday dates and inform employees of their entitlements.
National public holidays 2027
The following seven public holidays are gazetted by the Australian Government and apply in all states and territories:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 26 January 2027 | Tuesday | Australia Day |
| 2 April 2027 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 5 April 2027 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 25 April 2027 | Sunday | ANZAC Day |
| 25 December 2027 | Saturday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December 2027 | Sunday | Boxing Day |
Note: ANZAC Day falls on a Sunday in 2027. Mondayisation rules apply in some states — see below.
State-by-state public holidays 2027
In addition to the national holidays, each state and territory observes specific public holidays:
New South Wales (NSW)
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 26 January | Australia Day |
| 2 April | Good Friday |
| 3 April | Saturday before Easter Sunday |
| 4 April | Easter Sunday |
| 5 April | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | ANZAC Day |
| 13 June | Queen’s Birthday |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Boxing Day |
Total: 10 public holidays (including state-specific dates).
Victoria (VIC)
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 26 January | Australia Day |
| 8 March | Labour Day |
| 2 April | Good Friday |
| 3 April | Saturday before Easter Sunday |
| 4 April | Easter Sunday |
| 5 April | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | ANZAC Day |
| 14 June | Queen’s Birthday |
| 25 September | AFL Grand Final Friday |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Boxing Day |
Total: 12 public holidays (including state-specific dates).
Queensland (QLD)
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 26 January | Australia Day |
| 2 April | Good Friday |
| 3 April | Saturday before Easter Sunday |
| 4 April | Easter Sunday |
| 5 April | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | ANZAC Day |
| 3 May | Labour Day |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Boxing Day |
Total: 10 public holidays (including state-specific dates).
South Australia (SA)
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 26 January | Australia Day |
| 2 April | Good Friday |
| 5 April | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | ANZAC Day |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Boxing Day (Proclamation Day) |
Total: 7 public holidays (fewer state-specific dates).
Western Australia (WA)
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 26 January | Australia Day |
| 2 April | Good Friday |
| 3 April | Saturday before Easter Sunday |
| 4 April | Easter Sunday |
| 5 April | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | ANZAC Day |
| 7 June | Western Australia Day |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Boxing Day |
Total: 10 public holidays (including state-specific dates).
Tasmania (TAS)
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 26 January | Australia Day |
| 2 April | Good Friday |
| 5 April | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | ANZAC Day |
| 14 June | Queen’s Birthday |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Boxing Day |
| 27 December | Boxing Day (additional day) |
Total: 9 public holidays (including state-specific dates).
Northern Territory (NT)
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 26 January | Australia Day |
| 2 April | Good Friday |
| 5 April | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | ANZAC Day |
| 1 May | May Day |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Boxing Day |
Total: 8 public holidays (including state-specific dates).
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 26 January | Australia Day |
| 2 April | Good Friday |
| 3 April | Saturday before Easter Sunday |
| 4 April | Easter Sunday |
| 5 April | Easter Monday |
| 25 April | ANZAC Day |
| 13 June | Queen’s Birthday |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Boxing Day |
Total: 10 public holidays (including state-specific dates).
Mondayisation rules
When a public holiday falls on a weekend, Mondayisation rules may move the holiday to the following Monday. The rules vary by state:
| Holiday | Falls on Saturday | Falls on Sunday | Mondayisation? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Sat 1 Jan 2027 → Fri 31 Dec 2026 | No (falls on Friday) | Yes — moved to Monday 3 Jan 2027 (if Sun) |
| Australia Day | Tue 26 Jan 2027 | No | N/A |
| ANZAC Day | Sun 25 Apr 2027 | Mon 26 Apr 2027 | Yes — Mondayised in most states |
| Christmas Day | Sat 25 Dec 2027 | Mon 27 Dec 2027 | Yes — Mondayised |
| Boxing Day | Sun 26 Dec 2027 | Mon 28 Dec 2027 | Yes — Mondayised |
Mondayisation applies to ANZAC Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day when they fall on weekends in most states. Check the specific state rules for your jurisdiction.
Penalty rates overview
Public holiday penalty rates depend on the employee’s award or enterprise agreement. The general framework:
| Award Type | Public Holiday Penalty Rate |
|---|---|
| Retail Award | 250% of base rate (minimum 2 hours) |
| Hospitality Award | 250% of base rate (minimum 2 hours) |
| Healthcare Award | 250% of base rate (minimum 2 hours) |
| Manufacturing Award | 250% of base rate |
| Clerks Award | 250% of base rate |
| Enterprise Agreement | Varies — check the agreement |
Most modern awards require 250% of the base rate for hours worked on a public holiday. Some awards also require a minimum engagement of 2 hours, even if the employee works less.
Key penalty rate rules
- Full-time employees: Entitled to penalty rates if required to work on a public holiday.
- Part-time employees: Entitled to penalty rates on the same basis as full-time employees.
- Casual employees: Entitled to the casual loading on top of the penalty rate (typically 300% total).
- Rostered days off (RDOs): If a public holiday falls on an RDO, the employee is generally entitled to the day off and the public holiday is replaced.
Employer obligations
Employers must:
- Display public holiday dates in the workplace (or provide them to remote employees).
- Inform employees of their entitlements, including penalty rates and Mondayisation.
- Pay penalty rates for hours worked on public holidays (as per the applicable award or agreement).
- Allow employees to refuse work on a public holiday if the request is unreasonable.
- Record public holiday leave accurately in the payroll system.
Reasonableness test
Under the Fair Work Act, an employer can request an employee to work on a public holiday, but the employee can refuse if the request is unreasonable. Factors include:
- The nature of the workplace and the employee’s role.
- The employee’s personal circumstances (e.g., family responsibilities).
- Whether the employee would receive penalty rates.
- The amount of notice given.
- Whether the employee is full-time, part-time, or casual.
Putting it into practice
Five steps cover most public holiday compliance:
- Identify the public holidays applicable to each state and territory where you have employees.
- Apply Mondayisation rules where applicable (ANZAC Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day).
- Configure payroll to apply the correct penalty rates for each award or agreement.
- Display public holiday dates and inform employees of their entitlements.
- Track public holiday leave and penalty rates in the payroll or leave management system.
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Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays are there in Australia in 2027?
Australia has 7 national public holidays in 2027. State-specific holidays add additional days, bringing the total to 7-12 depending on the state or territory. Victoria has the most (12), while South Australia has the fewest (7).
What happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend?
Mondayisation rules apply to ANZAC Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day when they fall on a weekend. The holiday is moved to the following Monday in most states. Other holidays (like New Year’s Day) are not Mondayised.
Do casual employees get public holiday penalty rates?
Yes. Casual employees are entitled to public holiday penalty rates on the same basis as permanent employees, plus the casual loading (typically 300% total). The casual loading is applied on top of the penalty rate.
Can an employee refuse to work on a public holiday?
Yes. Under the Fair Work Act, an employee can refuse a request to work on a public holiday if the request is unreasonable. The employer must consider the employee’s personal circumstances, the nature of the workplace, and the amount of notice given.
Are there different penalty rates for different awards?
Yes. Most modern awards require 250% of the base rate for public holiday work, but the exact rate depends on the award. Enterprise agreements may set different rates. Check the applicable award or agreement for your employees.
Sources
- Fair Work Act 2009 (primary source)
- Fair Work Ombudsman — Public holidays
- Australian Government — Public holidays
This article is general information, not legal advice. Public holiday dates and penalty rates change annually — confirm current figures with the Fair Work Ombudsman and the relevant state government websites.