Public holidays in Australia are complicated because they vary by state, by industry, and sometimes even by organization. Employers must pay employees for public holidays that fall on ordinary working days, and if an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they’re entitled to penalties.
Getting public holidays wrong can result in payroll errors, underpayment complaints, and Fair Work disputes. This guide covers all the national and state-specific public holidays in Australia, and how to ensure you’re paying correctly.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organization.
National Public Holidays (All States)
These public holidays are observed in all Australian states and territories:
| Holiday | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | If it falls on a weekend, the next Monday may be a public holiday |
| Australia Day | 26 January | Observed on the next Monday if it falls on a weekend (in some states) |
| Good Friday | Varies (March/April) | Date varies annually; Friday before Easter Sunday |
| Easter Saturday | Varies (March/April) | Day after Good Friday |
| Easter Monday | Varies (March/April) | Monday following Easter Sunday |
| ANZAC Day | 25 April | If it falls on a weekend, the next Monday is observed (in some states) |
| Queen’s Birthday | Varies by state | Second Monday in June in most states; varies by state |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | If it falls on a weekend, the next Monday is a public holiday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | If it falls on a weekend, the next Monday is a public holiday |
State-Specific and Territory Public Holidays
Different states and territories observe additional public holidays:
New South Wales (NSW)
National holidays + additional NSW holidays:
- Bank Holiday (August, first Monday) — Not a universal public holiday; check with Fair Work
- No additional state holidays — NSW primarily observes national holidays
Victoria (VIC)
National holidays + additional Victorian holidays:
- Melbourne Cup Day (first Tuesday in November) — Observed in the Melbourne metro area
- Additional local holidays vary by region
Queensland (QLD)
National holidays + additional Queensland holidays:
- Royal Queensland Show (second Wednesday in August) — Varies by region
- Additional local holidays vary by region
South Australia (SA)
National holidays + additional South Australian holidays:
- Adelaide Cup Day (second Monday in March)
- Proclamation Day (26 December; if it’s a public holiday, Boxing Day shifts)
Western Australia (WA)
National holidays + additional Western Australian holidays:
- Western Australia Day (first Monday in June)
- Boxing Day (26 December; same as nationally)
Tasmania (TAS)
National holidays + additional Tasmanian holidays:
- Tasmanian Day (first Monday in November)
- Devonport Cup Day or Launceston Cup Day (varies by region)
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
National holidays + additional ACT holidays:
- Canberra Day (second Monday in March)
- Family & Community Day (first Monday in September)
Northern Territory (NT)
National holidays + additional NT holidays:
- Picnic Day (first Monday in August)
- No additional state holidays
Bonus or Substituted Days
When a public holiday falls on a weekend, many awards provide a “substituted day” — typically the next Monday. However, this varies:
- Some awards provide a substituted day automatically
- Some organizations allow employees to choose when to take the day (if the public holiday falls on a weekend)
- Some industries don’t observe a day in lieu (e.g., retail may open on the substituted day)
Check your award to see how substituted days are handled.
Paying Employees on Public Holidays
Public Holiday Falls on an Ordinary Working Day
If a public holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work, they are entitled to:
- Paid leave (the employee doesn’t work and is paid as usual)
- OR, if required to work, ordinary pay + penalty (varies by award)
Payment Rate: The employee is paid at their ordinary rate of pay, which includes:
- Base wage/salary
- Regular allowances (shift allowances, tool allowances)
- But NOT penalties, overtime, or bonuses
Example: An employee earning $50/hour who works on a public holiday is entitled to:
- Ordinary rate ($50) + penalty (typically 150-250% depending on award)
- Total: $50 + $75 (at 150%) = $125/hour
Public Holiday Falls on a Non-Working Day
If a public holiday falls on a day the employee doesn’t normally work (e.g., Saturday for a Monday-Friday employee), the employee is generally not entitled to a day off or payment, unless:
- The award specifies a substituted day
- The enterprise agreement provides for a day in lieu
- Your organization’s policy provides for substituted days
Casual Employees and Public Holidays
Casual employees are entitled to paid leave on public holidays that fall on their ordinary working day, at their ordinary rate of pay (not the casual loading).
However, if the public holiday falls on a non-working day, the casual employee is not entitled to a substituted day (in most cases).
Penalties for Working on Public Holidays
If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they must be paid a penalty loading in addition to their ordinary rate of pay. The exact rate varies by award:
Common Penalty Rates
| Award/Industry | Penalty | Total Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Retail | 150% of ordinary rate | Base + 150% loading |
| Hospitality | 150-200% | Varies by award |
| Healthcare | 150% | Base + 150% loading |
| Construction | 200% | Base + 200% loading |
| Public sector | 150-200% | Varies by award |
Important: Check your industry award for the exact penalty rate. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a list of penalties by award.
Example: An employee earning $50/hour in retail works on ANZAC Day:
- Ordinary rate: $50/hour
- Penalty (150%): $50 × 1.5 = $75/hour
- Total paid: $75/hour
Award-Specific Public Holiday Rules
Different awards have different rules:
Retail Award
- 4 weeks annual leave (vs. 4 weeks NES)
- Penalty rates for working on public holidays (150%)
- Substituted day if public holiday falls on a non-working day (for some employees)
Hospitality Award
- 5 weeks annual leave
- Penalty rates vary (can be 150-200%)
- Specific rules for casuals and shift workers
Health Professionals Award
- 5 weeks annual leave
- Penalty rates (typically 150%)
- On-call and after-hours rates apply
Construction Industry
- Public holidays and penalty rates vary by state
- Site-specific agreements may override award rates
Always check your award to confirm penalty rates and substitution rules.
Record Keeping
You must keep records of:
- All public holidays your organization observes
- Dates when employees worked on public holidays
- Penalty rates paid
- Amounts paid for public holiday work
Retain these records for at least 3 years.
Common Mistakes
1. Paying the Wrong Penalty Rate
Some employers pay the ordinary rate instead of the penalty rate when an employee works on a public holiday. This is non-compliant and can result in underpayment claims.
2. Not Accounting for Local Variations
Some public holidays (like Melbourne Cup Day) only apply in certain regions. Employees in other regions don’t get the day off.
3. Forgetting Substituted Days
If your award provides for a substituted day when a public holiday falls on a weekend, you must provide it. It doesn’t happen automatically — communicate it clearly to employees.
4. Treating Casuals the Same as Permanents
Casual employees may not be entitled to a day in lieu for public holidays that fall on weekends. Check your award.
5. Not Updating for Award Changes
Award public holiday provisions and penalty rates are reviewed regularly. Set a reminder to check for updates annually.
2026 Public Holiday Calendar
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| Australia Day | 26 January | Monday |
| Good Friday | 14 April | Friday |
| Easter Saturday | 15 April | Saturday |
| Easter Monday | 17 April | Monday |
| ANZAC Day | 25 April | Saturday |
| Queen’s Birthday | 8 June | Monday (most states) |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Saturday |
Note: ANZAC Day (25 April) and Christmas Day (25 December) fall on weekends in 2026. Check your state for when the substituted days are observed.
Key Takeaways
- National public holidays apply everywhere in Australia
- Additional public holidays vary by state/territory
- Employees get paid leave (or payment) for public holidays on ordinary working days
- Penalty rates (150-200%+) apply if employees work on public holidays
- Check your award for specific penalty rates and substitution rules
- Keep records of all public holiday payments for at least 3 years
- Communicate clearly with employees about public holidays and any substituted days
Using a payroll system that incorporates public holiday calendars and penalty rates makes compliance much simpler.
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