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The old ‘work smarter, not harder’ motto is a good one to live by, and if you’re keen to embody it in 2026, we’re here to help. 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 NSW public holiday cheat sheet and lock in your leave fast – before your colleagues beat you to it.
January 26 (Australia Day)
Take four days of annual leave and score nine days off between January 24 and February 1:
- Jan 24–25: Weekend
- Jan 26: Public holiday
- Jan 27–30: Annual leave
- Jan 31–Feb 1: Weekend
Easter (Good Friday + Easter Monday)
Take eight days of annual leave and score 16 days off between March 28 and April 12:
- Mar 28–29: Weekend
- Mar 30–Apr 2: Annual leave
- Apr 3: Public holiday (Good Friday)
- Apr 4–5: Weekend
- Apr 6: Public holiday (Easter Monday)
- Apr 7–10: Annual leave
- Apr 11–12: Weekend
King’s Birthday (NSW)
Take four days of annual leave and score nine days off between June 6 and 14:
- Jun 6–7: Weekend
- Jun 8: Public holiday (King’s Birthday)
- Jun 9–12: Annual leave
- Jun 13–14: Weekend
Labour Day (NSW)
Take four days of annual leave and score nine days off between October 3 and 11:
- Oct 3–4: Weekend
- Oct 5: Public holiday (Labour Day)
- Oct 6–9: Annual leave
- Oct 10–11: Weekend
Christmas and New Year’s
Take seven days of annual leave and score 16 days off between December 19 and January 3:
- Dec 19–20: Weekend
- Dec 21–24: Annual leave
- Dec 25: Public holiday (Christmas Day)
- Dec 26–27: Weekend
- Dec 28: Public holiday (Boxing Day)
- Dec 29–31: Annual leave
- Jan 1: Public holiday (New Year’s Day)
- Jan 2–3: Weekend