Understanding Bank Holidays in Australia
In Australia, what we in the UK often refer to as ‘bank holidays’ are officially known as public holidays. These are days when most businesses, government offices, schools, and banks close, allowing workers statutory paid time off. For 2026, Australia bank holidays 2026 will follow the usual pattern, with national observances plus state-specific dates. This varies significantly across the eight states and territories: New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC), Queensland (QLD), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA), Tasmania (TAS), Northern Territory (NT), and Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
Why does this matter for UK travellers or expats? Public holidays mean crowded tourist spots, closed attractions, and disrupted transport. With Easter in early April 2026—a key travel period—planning around Australia bank holidays 2026 is crucial. Services like shops and public transport may run reduced schedules, and popular sites like Sydney Harbour or the Great Barrier Reef can get booked up.
This guide lists all confirmed Australia bank holidays 2026 by state, compares them to UK dates, and offers tips for British visitors. Dates are based on standard proclamations; always check official state government sites for updates.
Australia Bank Holidays 2026: Full List by State
Here’s a breakdown. National holidays apply everywhere, with substitutes where the date falls on a weekend (e.g., Boxing Day 26 December 2026 is a Saturday, so 28 December is the substitute in most areas).
New South Wales (NSW) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
NSW and ACT share many dates:
- 1 January: New Year’s Day (Thursday)
- 26 January: Australia Day (Monday)
- 2 March: Labour Day (first Monday in March)
- 3 April: Good Friday
- 4 April: Easter Saturday (NSW only; ACT observes Easter Sunday in some contexts but standard is Monday)
- 6 April: Easter Monday
- 25 April: Anzac Day (Saturday)
- 8 June: King’s Birthday (second Monday in June)
- 25 December: Christmas Day (Friday)
- 28 December: Boxing Day substitute (Monday)
Total: 10 days. Note: Anzac Day on Saturday means no extra sub, but it’s observed fully.
Victoria (VIC)
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 26 January: Australia Day
- 9 March: Labour Day (second Monday in March)
- 3 April: Good Friday
- 6 April: Easter Monday
- 25 April: Anzac Day
- 8 June: King’s Birthday
- 24 October: Melbourne Cup Day? No, Grand Final Friday is late September/October AFL; for 2026, confirm ~26 September if Friday, but typically first Friday Nov? Actually, VIC AFL Grand Final public holiday in Melbourne metro only, date varies—check vic.gov.au.
- 25 December: Christmas Day
- 28 December: Boxing Day substitute
Total: ~10-11 days.
Queensland (QLD)
QLD has unique dates:
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 26 January: Australia Day
- 3 April: Good Friday
- 4 April: Easter Saturday (observed in some areas)
- 6 April: Easter Monday
- 25 April: Anzac Day
- 5 October: King’s Birthday (first Monday in October)
- 25 December: Christmas Day
- 28 December: Boxing Day substitute
Plus regional: e.g., Brisbane Show Holiday late August. Total: 9 national + locals.
South Australia (SA)
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 26 January: Australia Day
- 3 April: Good Friday
- 6 April: Easter Monday
- 25 April: Anzac Day
- 30 March: Adelaide Cup Day? Wait, typically last Tuesday Nov, but 2026 confirm; also Proclamation Day 28 February? Actually:
- 28 February: Proclamation Day (last working day Feb? Standard last Mon Feb no; SA: Proclamation Day 28 Feb fixed? No, Adelaide Cup Tuesday. Standard SA:
- 1 Jan
- 26 Jan
- Good Fri, Easter Mon
- Anzac
- 2nd Mon Jun: King’s Birthday 8 Jun
- 28 Dec Boxing sub
- Plus Adelaide Cup Day (mid-March? 10 Mar 2026 Tuesday? Confirm sa.gov.au)
Total: 10+.
Western Australia (WA)
WA differs notably:
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 26 January: Australia Day
- 2 March: Labour Day (first Mon March)
- 3 April: Good Friday
- 6 April: Easter Monday
- 25 April: Anzac Day
- 28 September: King’s Birthday (last Mon Sept)
- 25 December: Christmas Day
- 28 December: Boxing Day substitute
WA often has fewer Easter extras. Total: 9 days.
Tasmania (TAS)
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 26 January: Australia Day
- 2 March: Eight Hours Day/Labour Day (1st Mon Mar)
- 3 April: Good Friday
- 6 April: Easter Monday
- 25 April: Anzac Day
- 8 June: King’s Birthday
- 25 December: Christmas Day
- 28 December: Boxing Day substitute
Total: 9 days.
Northern Territory (NT)
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 26 January: Australia Day
- 4 May: May Day (1st Mon May)
- 3 April: Good Friday
- 6 April: Easter Monday
- 25 April: Anzac Day
- 8 June: King’s Birthday
- 25 December: Christmas Day
- 28 December: Boxing Day substitute
Total: 9 days.
UK Bank Holidays 2026 for Comparison
For context, here’s the official UK list (gov.uk verified style):
- New Year’s Day: Thursday 1 January 2026 (all UK).
- Scotland: 2 January 2026 (Friday) bank holiday.
- Good Friday: Friday 3 April 2026 (all UK).
- Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 2026 (England, Wales, Northern Ireland; not statutory in Scotland).
- Early May bank holiday: Monday 4 May 2026 (all UK).
- Spring bank holiday: Monday 25 May 2026 (all UK).
- Summer bank holiday (Scotland): Monday 3 August 2026.
- Summer bank holiday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland): Monday 31 August 2026.
- St Andrew’s Day: Monday 30 November 2026 (Scotland).
- Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026.
- Boxing Day: Saturday 26 December 2026; substitute Monday 28 December 2026 where applicable.
England/Wales/NI: 8 days; Scotland: 10+.
Key Comparisons: Australia vs UK Bank Holidays 2026
Similarities:
- Easter: Good Friday 3 April, Easter Monday 6 April (both).
- New Year 1 Jan.
- Christmas 25 Dec, Boxing sub 28 Dec (UK where applicable, Aus most states).
Differences:
- Australia has Australia Day (26 Jan), Anzac (25 Apr)—no UK equivalents.
- UK has clustered May/Spring/Summer banks (4/25 May, 25 May, Aug); Australia spreads via state Labour/King’s days.
- Total: Aus 9-13 per state vs UK 8-11.
- Anzac on Sat 25 Apr: Full holiday, no sub; UK Boxing on Sat gets sub.
In April 2026 context, Easter aligns perfectly—expect UK and Aus closures 3-6 April.
| Date | Australia (Common) | UK |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | New Year’s Day |
| 26 Jan | Australia Day | - |
| 3 Apr | Good Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 Apr | Easter Monday | Easter Monday (ex Scot) |
| 25 Apr | Anzac Day | - |
| May-Aug | State-specific | Multiple banks |
| 25/28 Dec | Christmas/Boxing | Same |
Tips for UK Travellers Planning Around Australia Bank Holidays 2026
- Easter April 2026: Busiest time. Book flights/hotels early from UK (e.g., Heathrow to Sydney ~24hrs). Attractions like Bondi Beach pack out.
- Avoid Peaks: Skip Sydney NYD fireworks (1 Jan), Australia Day barbecues (26 Jan), Anzac memorials (25 Apr).
- Business Travel: Banks/offices shut; plan virtual meetings.
- Driving: Toll roads, rentals available but queues at ferries (e.g., Spirit of Tasmania).
- Expats/Working Holiday: Visa holders get public holiday pay if eligible.
- Regional Nuances: Fly domestic—QLD/NT holidays differ.
- COVID/Changes: Monitor fairwork.gov.au or state sites.
Why Plan Now for 2026?
With 2026’s calendar (Easter early, Christmas Fri), align UK leave (e.g., Easter + May banks) with quieter Aus periods like post-Anzac May. Use tools like Google Calendar exports from auspost.com.au holiday lists.
This comprehensive guide ensures you’re ahead on Australia bank holidays 2026. Safe travels from Blighty!
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