Everyone loves a public holiday, but do you really know why NSW gets a long weekend in October? If the answer is no, you're not alone – a lot of New South Welshmen have no idea what Labour Day actually is. So whether you’re curious about why we have this day off, or you want to know what’s happening over the long weekend, read on. Here are all your FAQs, answered…
When is the Labour Day NSW public holiday in 2025?
Labour Day is a public holiday celebrated in NSW on the first Monday of October each year – meaning Labour Day will always give you a long weekend in October. This year, 2025, Labour Day falls on Monday, October 6.
What is NSW Labour Day? Why do we have an October long weekend?
Labour Day NSW is a day dedicated to commemorating the Labour movement's long fight – and eventual victory – to get the eight-hour work day (that we've all benefitted from) over the line. It was a huge victory for workers at a time when “workers’ rights” were not a thing.
Yep, we might feel like we’ve got it tough at work now, and no work-life balance now – and yep, in some weeks the overtime does blow out. But once upon a time, the idea of work being capped at eight hours a day, five days a week didn't exist. In the 1800s, Australians often had no option but to work 14 hours a day, six days a week. There was no sick leave, no annual leave, and bosses could sack you at any time with no reason.
So how did workers eventually wrangle an eight-hour day? On April 21, 1856, stonemasons in Melbourne were the first ones to mobilise – i.e. unionise – and all agree to put their tools down to protest being completely overworked. It was a long battle for workers' rights from there, a fight in which NSW employees also got involved with. It wasn’t until 60 years later, in 1916, that the Eight Hours Act was passed in Victoria and NSW. Much much later, in 1948, Australia's Commonwealth Arbitration Court approved a 40-hour, five-day working week for all Aussies.
Different states have their Labour Day holiday at different times of year to mark when they achieved the eight-hour day – the October public holiday is NSW's commemoration.
Why was the work day set at eight hours?
The philosophy behind the eight-hour work day is that it gives people the ability to split the 24-hour day into three eight-hour periods:
- 8 hours for sleeping
- 8 hours working
- 8 hours playing, eating and spending time with loved ones (our favourite)
Why do we celebrate Labour Day?
While many aspects of life and work seem tough in modern times, it’s important to remember where we came from, and the fact that things we take for granted now (i.e. the ability to clock off at night, take weekends and go on holiday, take a sick day, or time off to care for children) didn’t always exist. Workers before us (unions) fought hard for these rights to help make our lives better.
So when you’re sitting on a rooftop cheers’ing a drink this long weekend, dedicate it to the hard work of the unionised workers who came before us. You can feel proud that the people of Victoria and NSW were some of the earliest workers in the world to achieve the eight-hour day, and they helped influence Labour movements around the world.
When is Labour Day around Australia?
While NSW, South Australia and the ACT celebrate the eight-hour-day victory in October (this year, on October 6, 2025), Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania take the public holiday in March. And Queensland and the Northern Territory take it on the more globally recognised “May Day” (AKA, International Workers’ Day).
Can you buy alcohol on the NSW Labour Day October public holiday?
Good news for Sydneysiders who love eating out and drinking – unlike some public holidays, Labour Day isn’t one of those days where everything shuts, or where you can't buy alcohol (we guess that's bad news for the people having to work in those businesses on that day). While the majority of offices will be closed, you will still be able to find plenty of Sydney cafés, cheap eats, restaurants and pubs open for business (that said, it's always a good idea to check before rocking up somewhere – or, even better, book in).
Things to do on the October long weekend in Sydney:
Labour Day falls at a beautiful time of the year in NSW, during spring. Click here to see what’s on this weekend. Remember: The NRL Grand Final is conveniently placed on the Sunday before Labour Day. That day also happens to be the first day of Daylight Savings, which we’re super keen for.
It looks like it's going to be a hot weekend in Sydney, so you could hit up one of these excellent beaches, go for a swim in one of Sydney’s best ocean pools, or go for a scenic coastal walk.
If you can avoid working on Labour Day, we say do it – so you can celebrate the fact that Australians before us fought so that we could enjoy some time for R&R. After all, the only thing better than a day off is a day off with meaning.