Upcoming Public Holidays
The following outlines the upcoming public holidays over the next few months in each state and territory.
Australian Capital Territory
- Thursday 25 December 2025 – Christmas Day
- Friday 26 December 2025 – Boxing Day
- Thursday 1 January 2026 – New Year’s Day
New South Wales
- Thursday 25 December 2025 – Christmas Day
- Friday 26 December 2025 – Boxing Day
- Thursday 1 January 2026 – New Year’s Day
Northern Territory
- Wednesday 24 December 2025 – Christmas Eve (7 pm – midnight)
- Thursday 25 December 2025 – Christmas Day
- Friday 26 December 2025 – Boxing Day
- Wednesday 31 December 2025 – New Year’s Eve (7 pm – midnight)
- Thursday 1 January 2026 – New Year’s Day
Queensland
- Wednesday 24 December 2025 – Christmas Eve (6 pm – midnight)
- Thursday 25 December 2025 – Christmas Day
- Friday 26 December 2025 – Boxing Day
- Thursday 1 January 2026 – New Year’s Day
South Australia
- Wednesday 24 December 2025 – Christmas Eve (7 pm – midnight)
- Thursday 25 December 2025 – Christmas Day
- Friday 26 December 2025 – Proclamation Day / Boxing Day
- Wednesday 31 December 2025 – New Year’s Eve (7 pm – midnight)
- Thursday 1 January 2026 – New Year’s Day
Tasmania
- Monday 3 November 2025 – Recreation Day (for regions not observing the Royal Hobart Regatta)
- Thursday 25 December 2025 – Christmas Day
- Friday 26 December 2025 – Boxing Day
- Thursday 1 January 2026 – New Year’s Day
Victoria
- Tuesday 4 November 2025 – Melbourne Cup Day
- Thursday 25 December 2025 – Christmas Day
- Friday 26 December 2025 – Boxing Day
- Thursday 1 January 2026 – New Year’s Day
Western Australia
- Thursday 25 December 2025 – Christmas Day
- Friday 26 December 2025 – Boxing Day
- Thursday 1 January 2026 – New Year’s Day
Public Holiday Entitlements
Employees should be aware of when public holidays occur each year, as pay rates and entitlements may vary on these days.
Working on a Public Holiday
Employees who work on a public holiday may be entitled to additional benefits, including:
- extra pay (public holiday penalty rates)
- an additional day off
- minimum shift lengths
Not Working on a Public Holiday
Employees who do not work on a public holiday should be aware of their rights and entitlements, including:
- the right to refuse work on a public holiday
- pay entitlements
- treatment of leave during paid leave periods
Working Outside the Employee’s State or Region
An employee’s entitlement to public holidays is determined by the state or territory in which their employment is based, regardless of where they are physically working on the day of the public holiday.
For further information, visit fair work ombudsman website