Wondering how to maximise annual leave in 2026 so you can get more days off? You just need to plan your annual leave in this year around public holidays so you can maximize your days off to spend more time with your family or head out on trips.
Planning ahead is the simplest way to stretch your annual leave further. By booking leave on the right days around Australian public holidays, you can turn short breaks into long weekends or even extended holidays.
Below is a state-aware guide to maximising your annual leave in 2026 using national and major state public holidays. Public holidays do vary between states and territories, and additional regional holidays may apply.
January 2026
Public Holidays (All States)
- Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
- Monday 26 January – Australia Day
How to get 9 days off in a row
Book the following 4 days as annual leave:
- Tuesday 27 January
- Wednesday 28 January
- Thursday 29 January
- Friday 30 January
Outcome: 9 consecutive days off from Saturday 24 January to Sunday 1 February.
March 2026
March contains several state-based public holidays.
Public Holidays
- Monday 2 March – Labour Day (WA)
- Monday 9 March – Labour Day (VIC), Canberra Day (ACT), Eight Hours Day (TAS), Adelaide Cup Day (SA)
WA: Extend to a 4-day weekend
Book: Friday 27 February.
VIC, ACT, TAS, SA: Extend to a 4-day weekend
Book: Friday 6 March.
April 2026 (Easter and ANZAC Day)
Easter and ANZAC Day both fall in April in 2026. This year, While ANZAC Day is on a Saturday, WA and ACT observe a public holiday on Monday. In 2026 and 2027, NSW will make the Monday after Anzac Day a public holiday in 2026 and 2027.
Public Holidays (All States)
- Friday 3 April – Good Friday
- Saturday 4 April – Easter Saturday
- Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday
- Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
- Saturday 25 April – ANZAC Day
- Monday 27 April – Additional ANZAC Day holiday (ACT, WA & NSW)
How to get 10 days off in a row
Book the following 4 days:
- Tuesday 7 April
- Wednesday 8 April
- Thursday 9 April
- Friday 10 April
Outcome: 10 days off from Friday 3 April to Sunday 12 April.
June 2026
Public Holiday
- Monday 8 June – King’s Birthday
(Observed in ACT, NSW, NT, SA, TAS and VIC. QLD and WA celebrate on other dates.)
Turn it into a 4-day weekend
Book: Friday 5 June or Tuesday 9 June.
Turn it into a 9-day break
Book:
- Tuesday 9 June
- Wednesday 10 June
- Thursday 11 June
- Friday 12 June
Outcome: 9 days off from Saturday 6 June to Sunday 14 June.
September 2026
Public Holidays
- Friday 25 September – Grand Final Friday (VIC)
- Monday 28 September – King’s Birthday (WA)
VIC: Create a 4-day weekend
Book: Monday 28 September.
WA: Create a 4-day weekend
Book: Friday 25 September.
October 2026
Public Holidays
- Monday 5 October – Labour Day (ACT, NSW, SA)
- Monday 5 October – King’s Birthday (QLD)
Turn it into a 4-day weekend
Book: Friday 2 October or Tuesday 6 October.
Turn it into a 9-day holiday
Book:
- Tuesday 6 October
- Wednesday 7 October
- Thursday 8 October
- Friday 9 October
Outcome: 9 days off from Saturday 3 October to Sunday 11 October.
November 2026
Public Holiday (VIC Only)
- Tuesday 3 November – Melbourne Cup Day
Create a 4-day weekend
Book: Monday 2 November.
Outcome: 4 days off from Saturday 1 November to Tuesday 3 November.
December 2026 – January 2027
Public Holidays
- Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
- Saturday 26 December – Boxing Day
- Monday 28 December – Additional Public Holiday (Boxing Day)
- Friday 1 January – New Year’s Day
How to get 16 days off with 5 days of leave
Book these 5 days:
- Tuesday 29 December
- Wednesday 30 December
- Thursday 31 December
- Monday 4 January
- Tuesday 5 January
Outcome: 16 consecutive days off from Friday 25 December to Sunday 10 January.
Want to plan more for your holidays? Here are public holidays and school term dates so you can plan your holidays whether you’re staying in your state, heading interstate or booking flights overseas.
- NSW Public Holidays & School Holidays {2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030}
- Victoria School Term Dates & Public Holidays (2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030)
- Queensland School Term Dates & Public Holidays {2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030}
- South Australia School Term Dates & Public Holidays {2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030}
- Western Australia School Term Dates & Public Holidays {2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030}
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