Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 · Holiday data: August 26, 2026
Australia observes 9 public holidays in 2026. 7 fall on a weekday and 2 land on a weekend, leaving 254 business days across the year on the national-only count.
2026 public holidays calendar
Date
Day
Holiday
Notes
Jan 1
Thursday
New Year's Day
New Year's Day on Thursday January 1 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Jan 26
Monday
Australia Day
Australia Day on Monday January 26 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 3
Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday on Friday April 3 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 6
Monday
Easter Monday
Easter Monday on Monday April 6 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 25
Saturday (weekend)
ANZAC Day
Jun 8
Monday
King's Birthday
King's Birthday on Monday June 8 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Dec 25
Friday
Christmas Day
Christmas Day on Friday December 25 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Dec 26
Saturday (weekend)
Boxing Day
Dec 28
Monday
Boxing Day (additional)
Boxing Day (additional) on Monday December 28 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
2026 year summary
Total days
365
Weekend days
104
Public holidays on weekdays
7
Working days
254
The 2 weekend-falling public holidays in 2026 are absorbed into the regular Saturday and Sunday count, so the working-day reduction comes only from the 7 weekday-falling entries. Australia's national list is the eight days named in section 115(1)(a) of the Fair Work Act 2009. Those are eight bare dates with no weekend rule attached: sections 115(1)(b) and 115(2) hand declaration and substitution to state and territory law, so the extra weekday after a Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or New Year's Day that falls on a weekend is granted by each state, not federally. Years with such a weekend date therefore list more than eight, and the extra day is marked additional. Seven of the eight jurisdictions grant it on top of the weekend date, which stays a public holiday; Tasmania substitutes instead. State-specific days such as Labour Day variants, Melbourne Cup Day, and the King's Birthday date are excluded from this national-only set.
Holidays not included
Each Australian state and territory sets its own holiday calendar under the relevant Public Holidays Act. Labour Day variations by state (March in WA, May in QLD, October in NSW/SA/ACT), Melbourne Cup Day (Victorian banks), Easter Saturday (most states except WA and TAS), and the Queen's Birthday or King's Birthday observance shifts are excluded. Layer state-specific dates into Advanced options.
How many public holidays does Australia have in 2026?
Australia observes 9 public holidays in 2026. Of those, 7 fall on a weekday and 2 land on a weekend. The complete list with dates and weekday placements is in the calendar table above.
How many business days does Australia have in 2026?
Australia has 254 business days in 2026 on the national-only count, after subtracting 104 weekend days and 7 weekday-falling public holidays. Regional or industry-specific holidays may further reduce the count for narrower contract definitions.
Which 2026 national public holiday dates fall on a weekday?
7 of Australia's 9 public holidays in 2026 fall on a weekday and reduce the business days count: New Year's Day (Thursday, January 1); Australia Day (Monday, January 26); Good Friday (Friday, April 3); Easter Monday (Monday, April 6); King's Birthday (Monday, June 8); Christmas Day (Friday, December 25); Boxing Day (additional) (Monday, December 28).
Which 2026 holidays fall on a weekend and how are they handled?
2 public holidays in 2026 fall on a weekend: ANZAC Day on Saturday, April 25; Boxing Day on Saturday, December 26. Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day are set by each state and territory, not federally. Seven jurisdictions grant the following Monday or Tuesday on top of the weekend date, which stays a public holiday; Tasmania moves the day instead. The added weekday is listed above and marked additional. ANZAC Day works differently, because no jurisdiction moves it off 25 April. Western Australia is the only one whose statute grants a following Monday when 25 April is a Saturday: the Second Schedule to the Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972 makes that Monday also a public holiday. New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory grant none under their standing lists, and each declares an additional Monday year by year instead; both publish Monday 27 April 2026. The other five grant no extra weekday.