Am I paid for public holidays I don't work?

Full-time and part-time employees are paid their ordinary rate of pay for a public holiday they're rostered to work but don't (i.e. they get the day off paid). Casuals are NOT paid for public holidays they don't work — they're only paid if they actually work the day, at the higher penalty rate. National Employment Standards (NES) ss114-116, Fair Work Act 2009.

What is the public holiday penalty rate in Australia?

Penalty rates vary by Modern Award. Common rates: Hospitality Award 225% (2.25× base), Retail Award 250% (2.5×), Restaurant Award 225%, Fast Food Award 225%, Clerks Award 250%, Aged Care 250%, Nurses 200% (250% for casuals), Building & Construction 250%. Casual employees receive the penalty rate ON TOP of casual loading in some awards but not others — check your award.

Can my boss force me to work on a public holiday?

An employer can request you to work on a public holiday only if the request is reasonable. You can refuse if your refusal is reasonable. The Fair Work Act 2009 (NES s114) sets factors: nature of work, personal circumstances (family responsibilities), if extra pay/penalty applies, type of employment, notice given. The 2024 Federal Court decision in CFMEU v OS MCAP confirmed employers must REQUEST, not unilaterally roster, public-holiday work — get it in writing.

Are public holidays the same across Australia?

National holidays are the same across all states: New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, ANZAC Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day. Each state then adds state-specific days: Labour Day on different dates, Queen's/King's Birthday on different dates, plus state-unique days like Reconciliation Day (ACT), Picnic Day (NT), Melbourne Cup Day (VIC), Royal Queensland Show (QLD).

What if a public holiday falls on a weekend?

Most state Public Holidays Acts substitute the next non-holiday weekday. For example, if Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, the substitute holiday is Monday 27 December. Check your specific state's rules — some states have different substitution rules. Boxing Day and ANZAC Day in particular have varying treatment when they fall on a weekend.

Public Holiday Calendar + Pay Calculator

Every Australian public holiday by state for 2026 and 2027 + a calculator showing what you'd earn working one. Updated automatically — Easter dates computed from the Computus algorithm so they're always right.

Last verified: 2 August 2026

Show holidays for

State / territory

Year

Next public holiday in NSW

Labour Day

Mon, 5 Oct 2026 · in 20 days

NSW public holidays 2026

New Year's DayThu, 1 Jan 2026

Australia DayMon, 26 Jan 2026

Good FridayFri, 3 Apr 2026

Easter SaturdaySat, 4 Apr 2026

Easter SundaySun, 5 Apr 2026

Easter MondayMon, 6 Apr 2026

ANZAC DaySat, 25 Apr 2026

ANZAC Day (additional)NSW onlyMon, 27 Apr 2026

King's BirthdayNSW onlyMon, 8 June 2026

Labour DayNSW onlyMon, 5 Oct 2026

Christmas DayFri, 25 Dec 2026

Boxing DaySat, 26 Dec 2026

Boxing Day (additional)Mon, 28 Dec 2026

What you'd earn working a public holiday

Award

Employment type

Base hourly rate (AUD)

Hours worked

Total pay for the day

$504.00

$63.00/hr (base × 2.25×) · $280.00 premium over base

Sources

• Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) Part 2-2 Division 10 — Public Holidays (NES ss114-116)
• State Public Holidays Acts (each jurisdiction)
• Modern Award penalty rates (FWC published rates)
• CFMEU v OS MCAP Mining (2024) — request-not-roster requirement
• Easter dates computed from the Computus algorithm
• Last verified 2026-05-02.

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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.

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