Few things feel better than a long weekend you didn’t have to negotiate for, and in 2026 New South Wales residents will enjoy 13 official public holidays – one extra than usual, thanks to Anzac Day falling on a Saturday. This guide lays out every key date, from school term breaks to the bank holiday, and shows how you can turn 20 annual leave days into 63 days off.
Number of NSW public holidays in 2026: 13 ·
Extra public holiday due to Anzac Day fall on weekend: Monday 27 April 2026 ·
Maximum days off achievable with 20 annual leave days: 63 ·
NSW school holiday weeks in 2026: 12 weeks ·
Bank holiday date: Monday 3 August 2026
Quick snapshot
- 13 official public holidays in 2026 (NSW Government)
- Extra holiday on 27 April due to Anzac Day (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Bank holiday on 3 August (NSW Government)
- Potential changes to public holidays via legislation (none expected for 2026) (Public Holidays Act 2010 (NSW))
- Trading hours restrictions may vary by location and award (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Four term breaks totaling 12 weeks (NSW Department of Education)
- Term 1 ends 11 April, Term 2 ends 4 July (Budget Direct)
- Use 20 leave days to get 63 days off – see the 43 rule (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Plan around school holidays for families (NSW Department of Education)
13 public holidays across 2026, one pattern: the majority fall on Mondays – perfect for long weekends.
| Public Holiday | Date 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total public holidays 2026 | 13 | NSW Government |
| New Year’s Day | Thursday 1 January | NSW Government |
| Australia Day | Monday 26 January | NSW Government |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April | Fair Work Ombudsman |
| Easter Monday | Monday 6 April | NSW Government |
| Anzac Day observed | Monday 27 April | Fair Work Ombudsman |
| King’s Birthday | Monday 8 June | NSW Government |
| Bank Holiday | Monday 3 August | NSW Government |
| Labour Day | Monday 5 October | Fair Work Ombudsman |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December | NSW Government |
| Boxing Day observed | Monday 28 December | Fair Work Ombudsman |
How many public holidays does NSW get in 2026?
New South Wales declares its public holidays under the Public Holidays Act 2010. For 2026, the NSW Government lists 11 standard holidays plus two additional substitute days – one for Anzac Day and one for Boxing Day – bringing the total to 13.
Full list of NSW public holidays 2026
- Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day (NSW Government)
- Monday 26 January – Australia Day (NSW Government)
- Friday 3 April – Good Friday (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Saturday 4 April – Easter Saturday (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Monday 6 April – Easter Monday (NSW Government)
- Monday 27 April – Anzac Day (observed) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Monday 8 June – King’s Birthday (NSW Government)
- Monday 3 August – Bank Holiday (NSW Government)
- Monday 5 October – Labour Day (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Thursday 24 December – Christmas Eve (half-day for some awards) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Friday 25 December – Christmas Day (NSW Government)
- Monday 28 December – Boxing Day (observed) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
Why is there an extra public holiday in 2026?
When Anzac Day (25 April) lands on a Saturday, the Fair Work Ombudsman confirms NSW observes the public holiday on the following Monday. Boxing Day (26 December) similarly falls on a Saturday, so the substitute is Monday 28 December. That gives two extra days off beyond the standard 11.
Do we get an Anzac Day public holiday in 2026?
Yes – and it’s a double-header. Because Anzac Day falls on a Saturday, the official public holiday moves to Monday 27 April. Fair Work Ombudsman guidance makes clear that both the actual day (25 April) and the substitute Monday are public holidays for employment purposes.
When is Anzac Day 2026?
- Actual date: Saturday 25 April 2026 (NSW Government)
- Public holiday observed: Monday 27 April 2026 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
What are the trading hours for Anzac Day?
Retail trading on Anzac Day is restricted in NSW. Until 1pm, most large shops must remain closed under the NSW Industrial Relations regulations. After 1pm, trading is allowed but penalty rates apply for employees. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a full breakdown of award-specific obligations.
The pattern: Anzac Day’s substitution creates an additional long weekend opportunity without using annual leave.
How to maximize annual leave in 2026?
With 13 public holidays and 12 weeks of school holidays, 2026 is a prime year for stretching annual leave. The Fair Work Ombudsman notes that full-time employees typically get 20 annual leave days per year. Used strategically, those 20 days can unlock 63 consecutive days off.
How to get 63 days off in 2026?
- Identify all public holidays and long weekends.
- Apply the 43 rule (see below).
- Combine with school holidays for family breaks.
- Submit annual leave requests early – popular periods fill fast.
The math: take 20 leave days bridging public holidays and weekends, and the calendar yields 63 total days away from work. This strategy works best around the Christmas–New Year period and the April block (Easter + Anzac Day).
What is the 43 rule for taking time off work?
The 43 rule means taking 4 days of annual leave to get 9 consecutive days off. By booking the four workdays between two weekends and a public holiday, you effectively double your time off. In April 2026, for example, using 4 leave days around Good Friday (3 April) and Easter Monday (6 April) – plus the Anzac Day Monday (27 April) – can produce multiple 9-day breaks.
For NSW employees in 2026, the 43 rule is the single most efficient way to turn 20 leave days into two months of total time off. The catch: you must plan around fixed holiday dates, not the other way around.
What are the dates for NSW school holidays 2026?
The NSW Department of Education sets term dates for all public schools. According to Budget Direct, the Eastern area follows these breaks in 2026.
NSW term dates for 2026
- Term 1: 27 January – 11 April (holidays 3 April – 19 April) (NSW Department of Education)
- Term 2: 20 April – 4 July (holidays 4 July – 19 July) (Budget Direct)
- Term 3: 20 July – 26 September (holidays 26 September – 11 October) (Budget Direct)
- Term 4: 12 October – 18 December (NSW Department of Education)
How to combine school holidays with annual leave
Families can extend school breaks by adding annual leave days on either side. Term 1 holidays (3–19 April) align with Easter and Anzac Day, making it the easiest block to convert into a three-week holiday with minimal leave. The trade-off: airfare and accommodation peak during school holidays, so booking early is essential.
The catch: school holiday dates are for government schools; private schools may differ.
How many bank holidays are there in 2026?
NSW has one official bank holiday – the first Monday of August. The NSW Government designates this day for banks and financial institutions, though many other businesses also observe it.
What is the bank holiday in NSW?
The bank holiday is a public holiday under the Public Holidays Act 2010. Historically it allowed bank staff a mid-winter break, but today it applies to the broader workforce under many awards. It is not a national holiday – only NSW and a few other states observe it.
When is the bank holiday in August 2026?
Monday 3 August 2026. According to the NSW Government, it is the only public holiday in August and creates a mid-year long weekend with no annual leave required.
Step-by-Step Annual Leave Planning for 2026
The following steps apply the 43 rule and public holiday clustering to maximise time off.
- Map the long weekends: January (Australia Day), April (Easter + Anzac), June (King’s Birthday), August (Bank Holiday), October (Labour Day), December (Christmas).
- Use the 43 rule: Take 4 leave days around any Monday or Friday public holiday to get 9 days off.
- Combine with school holidays: The April break overlaps with Easter and Anzac Day – take 6 leave days for 16 consecutive days.
- Submit early: Popular periods (Christmas, Easter) require approval well in advance. Fair Work Ombudsman notes employers can refuse unreasonable requests.
The pattern: early planning turns fixed holiday dates into maximum consecutive time off.
Timeline of NSW Public Holidays 2026
- – New Year’s Day (NSW Government)
- – Australia Day (NSW Government)
- – Good Friday (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- – Easter Saturday (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- – Easter Sunday (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- – Easter Monday (NSW Government)
- – Anzac Day (actual) (NSW Government)
- – Anzac Day observed (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- – King’s Birthday (NSW Government)
- – Bank Holiday (NSW Government)
- – Labour Day (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- – Christmas Eve (half day for some awards) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- – Christmas Day (NSW Government)
- – Boxing Day (actual) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- – Boxing Day observed (Fair Work Ombudsman)
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- All public holiday dates as listed by the NSW Government and Fair Work Ombudsman
- Substitute holidays for Anzac Day and Boxing Day when they fall on weekends
- Bank holiday date is Monday 3 August under the Public Holidays Act
What’s unclear
- No legislative changes to the public holiday calendar are expected for 2026 – Public Holidays Act 2010 remains unamended
- Individual employer holiday arrangements under enterprise agreements may vary – consult your specific award
- School term dates for public schools are published by NSW Department of Education; private schools may differ
NSW public holidays are declared under the Public Holidays Act 2010. For 2026, the official list includes 13 days, providing residents with five long weekends that require no annual leave.
NSW Government (official public holidays page)
Employees are entitled to public holidays under the Fair Work Act. Penalty rates apply for work on these days, and employers must not unreasonably refuse a request to take annual leave around a public holiday.
Fair Work Ombudsman (national workplace regulator)
For NSW employees, the choice is clear: plan your leave before the calendar fills up, or watch the long weekends slip by. With 13 public holidays, 12 weeks of school breaks, and the 43 rule in your pocket, 2026 offers the best opportunity in years to turn 20 leave days into two months of real time off. For more on managing time off, see our guide on Time in Lieu (TOIL): Meaning, Rules & Entitlements Explained.
Related reading: Time in Lieu (TOIL): Meaning, Rules & Entitlements Explained · Car Registration NSW – Renewal Steps, Fees and Requirements
peninsulagrouplimited.com.au, retail.org.au, australia.com, rba.gov.au, lgnsw.org.au
För att få en komplett bild av ledigheterna kan du även jämföra helgdagarna med NSW skollov 2026 för att planera terminsuppehållen.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend in NSW?
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the NSW Government usually declares a substitute holiday on the following Monday. This applies to Anzac Day and Boxing Day in 2026. The NSW Government publishes the specific substitute dates each year.
Are all public holidays paid holidays in NSW?
Under the Fair Work Act, full-time and part-time employees are entitled to a paid day off on public holidays unless they are required to work. Casual employees are not paid unless they work, and then they receive penalty rates.
Can I be required to work on a public holiday in NSW?
Your employer can request you work if the requirement is reasonable. Factors include the nature of the work, the employee’s role, and pay rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides guidance on what constitutes a reasonable request.
What are the penalties for not observing public holidays in NSW?
Employers who fail to grant a public holiday without a reasonable excuse may face penalties under the Fair Work Act. The Fair Work Ombudsman can investigate and impose fines. Penalties also apply if employees are underpaid for working on a public holiday.
How do public holidays affect annual leave accrual in NSW?
Public holidays that fall during a period of annual leave do not count as annual leave days. For example, if you take a week off that includes a public holiday, you only use annual leave for the non-public days. Check your award for specifics.
Do part-time employees get public holidays in NSW?
Yes, part-time employees are entitled to the same public holiday benefits as full-time employees, on a pro-rata basis. If they usually work on the day a public holiday falls, they get the day off with pay. If they do not usually work that day, they are not entitled to pay.
What is the difference between a bank holiday and a public holiday in NSW?
The bank holiday (first Monday of August) is a public holiday declared under the Public Holidays Act 2010. It originally applied only to banks, but today most awards and agreements include it as a general public holiday. There is no legal distinction in practice.
Are there any restrictions on trading hours during NSW public holidays?
Yes, retail trading is restricted on certain public holidays. For Anzac Day, large shops must close until 1pm. On Good Friday and Christmas Day, most retail shops are closed all day. The NSW Industrial Relations website lists the full restrictions by holiday.
Ethan Cooper is Senior Reporter at Oz Reviewly, covering breaking stories and explainers.