Christmas, Boxing Day & NYE pay rates Australia 2026
Christmas Day Friday 25 December 2026. Boxing Day public holiday substituted to Monday 28 December in most states. New Year's Day Friday 1 January 2027. This hub covers every Australian workplace right around the December-January period: penalty rates by award, forced annual leave during shutdown, public-holiday refusal rights, casual entitlements, and what to do if you weren't paid correctly.
AIGot a specific Christmas/NYE pay question? Ask FairWork Mate AI →Tools
Christmas Shutdown Rights Checker
Pick your situation + award + state to see your specific Christmas/NYE rights.
Public Holiday Calendar by State
All gazetted public holidays for every state and territory, 2026 and 2027.
Pay Rate Lookup
Look up your award + classification rate, including public-holiday multipliers.
Annual Leave Calculator
How much annual leave do you have? Including loading, accrual, payout on termination.
FAQ
What pay rate should I get for working Christmas Day 2026?
Christmas Day 2026 = Friday 25 December = gazetted public holiday in every state. Most modern awards pay 250% (double-and-a-half) for permanent employees and 275% for casuals (already including their 25% casual loading). The Hospitality (MA000009), General Retail (MA000004), Fast Food (MA000003), Restaurant (MA000119) and Clerks (MA000002) awards all set 250% adult / 275% casual.
When is the Boxing Day public holiday in 2026?
Boxing Day 2026 falls on a Saturday (26 December). Because Christmas Day was on Friday, most states substitute the public holiday to Monday 28 December 2026. Exception: South Australia proclaims the substitute differently — check the SA Public Holidays Act for the exact substituted date in your year.
Can my employer force me to take annual leave during Christmas-NYE shutdown?
Yes, but only if (a) the relevant modern award OR your enterprise agreement permits a directed close-down, and (b) the employer gives the notice period specified in the award (typically 4 weeks). Public holidays during the shutdown are paid as public holidays and don't come out of your annual leave balance.
What if I have no annual leave but my workplace is shutting down?
Three options under most awards: (1) leave taken in advance, by agreement only; (2) unpaid leave, by agreement or in some awards permitted with proper notice; (3) continued ordinary wages despite the shutdown, the safest position for you. Public holidays during the shutdown are paid regardless of your leave balance.
Do casuals get public holiday pay if they don't work?
No. Casuals are paid only for hours worked. If a casual doesn't work the public holiday, they're not paid for it. But if they DO work a public holiday, they're entitled to the public-holiday penalty rate (typically 275% for casuals, which compounds their existing 25% casual loading).
Can I refuse to work on a public holiday?
Under Fair Work Act s 114, the employer can REQUEST you to work a public holiday only if reasonable; you can refuse if your refusal is reasonable. Considered: family responsibilities, personal circumstances (carer/religious/cultural), the role's nature, notice given, expectation set at hiring, OT compensation, and penalty rates offered.