State-by-State Public Holiday Differences in Australia 2026

Why Australian Public Holidays Differ

Australia's Constitution gives both federal and state governments powers over public holidays. While the federal government sets national holidays observed across all states and territories, each state and territory has authority to declare additional public holidays reflecting local history, events, and traditions.

This creates a complex patchwork where a day that is a public holiday in one state may be a normal working day just across the border. For employers with operations in multiple states, workers who travel interstate, and families with relatives in different locations, understanding these differences is essential for effective planning.

The eight national public holidays observed uniformly across Australia are: New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Everything beyond these eight days varies by location.

Labour Day: The Most Confusing Holiday

Labour Day perfectly illustrates Australian public holiday complexity. Celebrating the achievement of the eight-hour workday, this holiday is observed on different dates in every region:

This means a Victorian business calling New South Wales contacts on the second Monday of March will find colleagues at work, while trying to reach Melbourne will prove unsuccessful. The variation creates genuine coordination challenges for interstate operations.

The Queen's Birthday Puzzle

The Queen's Birthday (now King's Birthday) public holiday presents another source of confusion. Despite honouring the same monarch, different states observe this holiday on entirely different dates:

• NSW, VIC, TAS, ACT, SA, NT: Second Monday in June
• Queensland: First Monday in October
• Western Australia: Fourth Monday in September

Queensland moved its observance to October in 2012 to avoid clustering too many public holidays in the first half of the year. Western Australia's September timing offers pleasant spring weather for outdoor celebrations. This variation means that a "Queen's Birthday weekend" in one state bears no relationship to the timing in another.

Unique State Holidays

Several states observe public holidays that exist nowhere else in Australia, reflecting local history, culture, and events.

Victoria: Melbourne Cup Day

The first Tuesday in November is a public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne and many Victorian regional areas, though not all of regional Victoria observes this day. This creates the unusual situation where parts of one state have a public holiday while other parts do not.

South Australia: Proclamation Day

South Australia observes Proclamation Day on 28 December (or the following Monday when this falls on a weekend), commemorating the proclamation of the colony in 1836. This extends the Christmas-New Year holiday period uniquely for South Australians.

Northern Territory: Picnic Day

The first Monday in August is Picnic Day in the Northern Territory, reflecting the territory's relaxed tropical lifestyle and providing a mid-year break when weather conditions are ideal for outdoor activities.

ACT: Reconciliation Day

The ACT observes Reconciliation Day around 27 May, acknowledging the ongoing journey of reconciliation with Australia's First Nations peoples. This relatively new holiday (established 2018) reflects the territory's role as the national capital.

Tasmania: Recreation Day

Northern Tasmania observes Recreation Day on the first Monday in November, while southern Tasmania does not (instead having Royal Hobart Regatta Day in February). This intra-state variation adds another layer of complexity to Tasmanian holiday planning.

Regional and Local Holidays

Beyond state-wide variations, some public holidays apply only to specific regions or cities within states:

• Royal Queensland Show (Ekka): Brisbane area only, August
• Adelaide Cup Day: Adelaide metropolitan area, March
• Royal Hobart Regatta: Southern Tasmania only, February
• Local show days: Various regional areas have public holidays for local agricultural shows

These localised holidays create situations where workers in one city may have a day off while colleagues in the same state, just a short distance away, are working normally.

Business and Travel Implications

Understanding state holiday variations is crucial for several practical purposes:

Interstate Business Operations

Companies operating across multiple states must track different holiday calendars for each location. Payroll systems, leave management, and customer service staffing all require awareness of which employees have public holidays and when.

Service level agreements and delivery commitments may need to account for state-specific closures. A Melbourne-based supplier might be closed for Melbourne Cup Day while their Sydney customers expect normal service.

Travel Planning

Interstate travel during another state's public holiday can bring pleasant surprises (quieter attractions when locals are at barbecues) or frustrations (closed businesses, limited services). Check the holiday calendar for your destination, not just your home state.

Accommodation prices in destination states may spike during their public holidays while remaining normal in your home state. Conversely, travelling to states without a public holiday during your own state's long weekend can offer excellent value.

Family Coordination

Families with members in different states may struggle to find mutually convenient times for gatherings. The national holidays (Easter, Christmas, Australia Day) remain the most reliable options for interstate family reunions.

Using This Information

Our 2026 Australian Calendar displays all national public holidays and allows you to view state-specific holidays. When planning interstate activities, consult the holiday information for each relevant state to avoid surprises.

For detailed information about your specific state's holidays, visit the State Holidays section on our main page, which provides comprehensive breakdowns for each Australian state and territory.

Remember that public holiday arrangements can change, particularly for substitute holidays when dates fall on weekends. Official state government websites provide definitive information for each jurisdiction.