Few things spark as much calendar-checking as the promise of a long weekend. In Australia, the 2025 public holiday calendar delivers plenty of them — but which days you actually get off depends on where you live.
Number of national public holidays in 2025: 7 ·
Australia Day 2025: January 27 ·
Good Friday 2025: April 18 ·
State with most public holidays: Australian Capital Territory (11) ·
King’s Birthday (NSW): June 9
Quick snapshot
- Seven national public holidays in 2025 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Australia Day falls on Monday, January 27 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Good Friday is April 18, Easter Monday is April 21 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Christmas Day is December 25, Boxing Day is December 26 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Exact dates for state-specific holidays like Labour Day vary by jurisdiction and aren’t all listed in a single source (Tourism Australia)
- Some regional holidays (e.g., Ekka Wednesday in QLD) depend on local proclamation (Tourism Australia)
- Clusters in January (New Year’s, Australia Day), April (Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day), and December (Christmas, Boxing Day) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- King’s Birthday observed on second Monday in June for most states (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Employers and payroll teams should check state-specific calendars now to avoid compliance issues (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Travel planners benefit from booking around state-by-state holiday clusters (Tourism Australia)
Australia’s holiday calendar is a patchwork: seven national days anchor the year, but states layer on up to four extra holidays. For anyone planning work rosters or annual leave in 2025, ignoring state-level variation means risking a scheduling mismatch.
The key facts of the 2025 public holiday calendar are as follows:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of national public holidays | 7 |
| State with most holidays | ACT (11) |
| Earliest public holiday in 2025 | January 1 (New Year’s Day) |
| Latest public holiday in 2025 | December 26 (Boxing Day) |
| Australia Day 2025 | January 27 (Monday) |
| Good Friday 2025 | April 18 (Friday) |
| Easter Monday 2025 | April 21 (Monday) |
| Anzac Day 2025 | April 25 (Friday) |
| Christmas Day 2025 | December 25 (Thursday) |
| Boxing Day 2025 | December 26 (Friday) |
What are the Australian holidays for 2025?
National holidays in Australia 2025
- New Year’s Day — Wednesday, January 1 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Australia Day — Monday, January 27 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Good Friday — Friday, April 18 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Easter Monday — Monday, April 21 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Anzac Day — Friday, April 25 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Christmas Day — Thursday, December 25 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Boxing Day — Friday, December 26 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
Seven nationwide, these are the days observed across every state and territory in Australia. The Tourism Australia (official travel guide) confirms these as national public holidays, though it notes that individual jurisdictions can substitute or add their own.
State-by-state variations
- ACT — 11 holidays: adds Canberra Day (Mar 10), Reconciliation Day (Jun 2), Labour Day (Oct 6) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- NSW — 10 holidays: adds King’s Birthday (Jun 9), Labour Day (Oct 6) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- SA — 10 holidays: adds Adelaide Cup Day (Mar 10), King’s Birthday (Jun 9), Labour Day (Oct 6) (Forbes Australia (business and lifestyle reporting))
The pattern is clear: every state gets the seven national days, then stacks on 2–4 additional holidays drawn from a shared pool — Labour Day, the King’s Birthday, and regional events like Canberra Day or the Adelaide Cup. The trade-off: what’s a day off in one state is a regular workday in another.
A business with employees in multiple states can’t use a single national calendar. Payroll teams need to track each jurisdiction’s list independently, or risk accidentally underpaying penalty rates on a holiday that applies only in one location.
The pattern: while the national dates are fixed, the state variations turn a simple list into a complex puzzle for anyone working across borders.
Which state in Australia has the most public holidays?
Public holidays in the Australian Capital Territory
The ACT leads the nation with 11 public holidays in 2025, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman (Australia’s workplace regulator). Beyond the seven national holidays, Canberra residents get three additional days: Canberra Day on March 10, Reconciliation Day on June 2, and Labour Day on October 6. Reconciliation Day is unique to the ACT — no other state or territory observes it. That single extra day pushes the territory past every other jurisdiction in total holiday count.
How many public holidays does each state have?
Six states and two territories, eight different calendars. Here’s how they stack up, based on data from the Fair Work Ombudsman (federal workplace authority):
- ACT — 11 holidays (Canberra Day, Reconciliation Day, Labour Day) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- NSW — 10 holidays (King’s Birthday, Labour Day) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Victoria — 10 holidays (Labour Day, Grand Final Eve) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Queensland — 10 holidays (Labour Day, Ekka Wednesday) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- South Australia — 10 holidays (Adelaide Cup Day, King’s Birthday, Labour Day) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Western Australia — 10 holidays (Labour Day, Foundation Day) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Tasmania — 9 holidays (Eight Hours Day, Recreation Day) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Northern Territory — 10 holidays (May Day, Picnic Day) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
The variation is tighter than it looks. Most states land at 10 holidays; the ACT’s 11 is the outlier. Tasmania, at 9, is the lowest — a full two days fewer than Canberra.
Seven national holidays anchor the year across Australia, as listed by the Tourism Australia (national tourism authority). States then add their own, creating the spread.
A comparison of holiday counts across selected states shows the pattern:
| State / Territory | Total public holidays 2025 | King’s Birthday | Labour Day | Unique regional holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | 11 | June 9 | October 6 | Canberra Day (Mar 10), Reconciliation Day (Jun 2) |
| NSW | 10 | June 9 | October 6 | — |
| South Australia | 10 | June 9 | October 6 | Adelaide Cup Day (Mar 10) |
The implication: states share a common skeleton — King’s Birthday and Labour Day appear in most, often on the same dates — but regional events are what push one territory ahead of another. ACT’s Reconciliation Day is the deciding factor.
Is the king’s birthday a public holiday?
When is the King’s Birthday in 2025?
- NSW: Monday, June 9 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- ACT: Monday, June 9 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- South Australia: Monday, June 9 (Forbes Australia (business and lifestyle reporting))
- Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, Northern Territory: Second Monday in June (June 9)
- Western Australia: Late September (separate date)
Most states observe the King’s Birthday on the second Monday in June. Western Australia is the exception, holding its version in late September to avoid clashing with school holidays.
Which states observe the King’s Birthday?
Every state and territory observes it, but under different names and dates. The Fair Work Ombudsman lists it for NSW, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory on June 9. Queensland also observes it in June, while Western Australia and South Australia have their own scheduled dates.
The catch: even though the holiday is observed nearly everywhere, the actual date varies enough to confuse interstate payroll. A worker in NSW gets June 9 off; a worker in WA does not.
Is the Queen’s birthday still a public holiday in Australia?
What replaced the Queen’s Birthday?
The Queen’s Birthday holiday was replaced by the King’s Birthday following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. No separate Queen’s Birthday holiday remains on any Australian state or territory calendar. The holiday itself didn’t disappear — it was renamed. All the same states that observed the Queen’s Birthday now observe the King’s Birthday on the same schedule.
How did the change happen?
The transition was automatic under Australian succession law. When King Charles III ascended the throne, the holiday’s namesake shifted. Some states still reference the “Queen’s Birthday” in older legislation, but the Fair Work Ombudsman now lists it uniformly as the King’s Birthday for 2025. No legislative battle, no public vote — just a straight name change.
Employers who still reference “Queen’s Birthday” in HR policies or employment contracts risk confusion. The day off is the same, but the label should be updated to King’s Birthday to match current official terminology and avoid employee questions.
The catch: while the name change was automatic, outdated references in internal policies can create unnecessary confusion for employees.
Is June 9 a public holiday in Australia?
What holiday falls on June 9 in 2025?
- NSW: King’s Birthday — public holiday (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- ACT: King’s Birthday — public holiday (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- South Australia: King’s Birthday — public holiday (Forbes Australia (business and lifestyle reporting))
- Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, NT: King’s Birthday — public holiday
- Western Australia: Not a public holiday
June 9, 2025, is the King’s Birthday public holiday in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory. It is not a public holiday in Western Australia, which observes the King’s Birthday in late September.
What if June 9 is not a holiday in your state?
For workers and employers in Western Australia, June 9 is a regular workday. Standard employment conditions apply — no penalty rates, no substituted day off. The Fair Work Ombudsman advises checking your state’s specific list rather than assuming a national calendar.
The pattern is consistent: most states align on the second Monday in June for the King’s Birthday, but WA’s deviation catches people off guard every year.
Public holidays 2025 by state — quick reference
Seven states and territories, one shared national set, and a handful of local additions. Here’s how the full 2025 calendar breaks down:
| Jurisdiction | Total holidays | State-specific additions (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | 11 | Canberra Day (Mar 10), Reconciliation Day (Jun 2), Labour Day (Oct 6) |
| New South Wales | 10 | King’s Birthday (Jun 9), Labour Day (Oct 6) |
| Victoria | 10 | Labour Day (Mar 10), Grand Final Eve |
| Queensland | 10 | Labour Day (May 5), Ekka Wednesday |
| South Australia | 10 | Adelaide Cup Day (Mar 10), King’s Birthday (Jun 9), Labour Day (Oct 6) |
| Western Australia | 10 | Labour Day (Mar 3), Foundation Day (Jun 2) |
| Tasmania | 9 | Eight Hours Day (Mar 10), Recreation Day (Nov 3) |
| Northern Territory | 10 | May Day (May 5), Picnic Day (Aug 4) |
The trade-off: choosing where to live or work involves more than climate and cost of living. Holiday entitlement varies by jurisdiction, and the difference between 9 and 11 days off per year is meaningful for work-life balance.
“Public holidays can be different depending on where you are in Australia. You can check the list of public holidays for your state or territory.”
— Fair Work Ombudsman (federal workplace regulator)
“Australia has a mix of nationwide public holidays and holidays that vary by state and territory.”
— Tourism Australia (national travel authority)
Both sources underscore the same reality: national consistency ends where state borders begin. For international visitors and domestic travellers alike, a holiday in one city is a regular Thursday in another.
groupaccommodation.com, en.wikipedia.org, employeeconnect.com, anz.com
For a detailed look at how each territory differs, see this state-by-state breakdown of 2025 dates.
Frequently asked questions
What is Labour Day in Australia?
Labour Day is a public holiday that celebrates the eight-hour working day movement. It is observed on different dates across states — typically in March, May, or October depending on the jurisdiction.
When is Easter 2025 in Australia?
Easter 2025 falls on Sunday, April 20. Good Friday is April 18 and Easter Monday is April 21 — both are national public holidays across all states and territories.
Are there any public holidays in December 2025 besides Christmas?
Yes. Christmas Day (December 25) is a national public holiday, and Boxing Day (December 26) is also a national public holiday. Both fall on a Thursday and Friday respectively in 2025, creating a four-day weekend.
Do all states have the same public holidays?
No. All states share the seven national public holidays, but each jurisdiction adds its own holidays — such as Labour Day, the King’s Birthday, and regional events like Canberra Day or the Adelaide Cup. Total counts range from 9 to 11 depending on the state.
What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, most states observe a substitute day on the following Monday (or occasionally Friday). The specific rules vary by state and by holiday.
How are public holidays determined in Australia?
National public holidays are set by the federal government, while state and territory governments legislate their own additional holidays. The Fair Work Ombudsman maintains an official list of public holidays for each jurisdiction.
Ethan Fraser is Senior Reporter at Oz Briefly, covering breaking stories and explainers.