‘Work smarter, not harder’ was my motto heading into 2025 – and it’s one I’m keen to carry into the new year. If you’re on the same wavelength, pay attention: we’ve figured out how to maximise your annual leave for longer holidays in 2026, essentially doubling your time out of the office. Study this public holiday cheat sheet and lock in your leave fast – before your colleagues beat you to it.
January 26
Take four days of annual leave and score nine days off between January 24 and February 1:
- January 24-25: Weekend
- January 26: Public holiday
- January 27-30: Annual leave
- January 30-February 1: Weekend
Easter
Take eight days of annual leave and score 16 days off between March 28 and April 12:
- March 28-29: Weekend
- March 30-April 2: Annual leave
- April 3: Public holiday (Good Friday)
- April 4-5: Weekend
- April 6: Public holiday (Easter Monday)
- April 7-10: Annual leave
- April 11-12: Weekend
King’s Birthday
Take four days of annual leave and score nine days off between June 6 and 14 (all states excluding QLD and WA):
- June 6-7: Weekend
- June 8: Public holiday (King’s Birthday)
- June 9-12: Annual leave
- June 13-14: Weekend
In Western Australia, the King’s Birthday falls on September 28 – so take four days of annual leave from September 29 to October 2 to enjoy nine days off between September 26 and October 4. Queenslanders can see how to maximise leave around their King’s Birthday public holiday on October 5 below.
Labour Day
Take four days of annual leave and score nine days off between October 4 and 11 (only ACT, NSW, and SA, plus QLD for the King’s Birthday):
- October 3-4: Weekend
- October 5: Public holiday (Labour Day/King’s Birthday)
- October 6-9: Annual leave
- October 10-11: Weekend
In Western Australia, Labour Day falls on March 2 – so take four days of annual leave from March 3 to 6 to enjoy nine days off between February 28 and March 8. Meanwhile, Victoria’s Labour Day public holiday is on March 9, meaning the same trick works from March 7 to 15.
Christmas and New Year's
Take seven days of annual leave and score 16 days off between December 19 and January 3:
- December 19-20: Weekend
- December 21-24: Annual leave
- December 25: Public holiday (Christmas Day)
- December 26-27: Weekend
- December 28: Public holiday (Boxing Day)
- December 29-31: Annual leave
- January 1: Public holiday (New Year’s Day)
- January 2-3: Weekend
You can find out when your state or territory gets bonus public holidays here – we’ll let you do the maths on those extra ones.