NSW public holidays 2026
New South Wales recognises 13 general public holidays in 2026 — the national days plus King's Birthday, Labour Day, the extra Anzac Day Monday and the additional day for Boxing Day. Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday are both FULL public holidays in NSW, not half-days, under the Public Holidays Act 2010 (NSW). The NSW Bank Holiday in August is listed below as well, but it is a restricted holiday for banks and financial institutions rather than a general public holiday.
Every public holiday in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 1 January 2026 | Thu | New Year's Day | National |
| Monday 26 January 2026 | Mon | Australia Day | National |
| Friday 3 April 2026 | Fri | Good Friday | National |
| Saturday 4 April 2026 | Sat | Saturday before Easter Sunday | 6 of 8 |
| Sunday 5 April 2026 | Sun | Easter Sunday | 7 of 8 |
| Monday 6 April 2026 | Mon | Easter Monday | National |
| Saturday 25 April 2026 | Sat | Anzac Day | National |
| Monday 27 April 2026 | Mon | Anzac Day (additional) | 3 of 8 |
| Monday 8 June 2026 | Mon | King's Birthday | 6 of 8 |
| Monday 3 August 2026 | Mon | Bank Holiday | NSW-only |
| Monday 5 October 2026 | Mon | Labour Day | 3 of 8 |
| Friday 25 December 2026 | Fri | Christmas Day | National |
| Saturday 26 December 2026 | Sat | Boxing Day | 6 of 8 |
| Monday 28 December 2026 | Mon | Boxing Day (additional) | 6 of 8 |
Sources: Modern awards and the Fair Work Act 2009 set most of the penalty-rate entitlements, but NSW state legislation defines which days are public holidays. Always cross-check with the current state gazette for any year-of substitutions when a holiday falls on a weekend.
Working it? Public holiday penalty rates depend on your award — check your public holiday rate or browse all penalty rates.
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NSW public holidays 2027
Every NSW date below for 2027 is gazetted by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 1 January 2027 | Fri | New Year's Day | National |
| Tuesday 26 January 2027 | Tue | Australia Day | National |
| Friday 26 March 2027 | Fri | Good Friday | National |
| Saturday 27 March 2027 | Sat | Easter Saturday | 6 of 8 |
| Sunday 28 March 2027 | Sun | Easter Sunday | National |
| Monday 29 March 2027 | Mon | Easter Monday | National |
| Sunday 25 April 2027 | Sun | ANZAC Day | 5 of 8 |
| Monday 26 April 2027 | Mon | ANZAC Day (additional) | 2 of 8 |
| Monday 14 June 2027 | Mon | King's Birthday | 6 of 8 |
| Monday 4 October 2027 | Mon | Labour Day | 3 of 8 |
| Saturday 25 December 2027 | Sat | Christmas Day | National |
| Sunday 26 December 2027 | Sun | Boxing Day | 7 of 8 |
| Monday 27 December 2027 | Mon | Christmas Day (additional) | National |
| Tuesday 28 December 2027 | Tue | Boxing Day (additional) | 7 of 8 |
Sources: Modern awards and the Fair Work Act 2009 set most of the penalty-rate entitlements, but NSW state legislation defines which days are public holidays. 2027 dates are from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s published 2027 public holidays list; provisional dates above are re-checked against that list as the year approaches.
Working it? Public holiday penalty rates depend on your award — check your public holiday rate or browse all penalty rates.
Is it a public holiday?
Is Monday 3 August 2026 a public holiday in New South Wales?
Yes — Bank Holiday is a public holiday only in NSW.
Is Monday 5 October 2026 a public holiday in New South Wales?
Yes — 5 October 2026 is Labour Day in NSW.
Is Father's Day a public holiday?
No — Father's Day is a Sunday in September with no public-holiday status anywhere in Australia.
Is New Year's Eve a public holiday?
No — New Year's Eve is not a public holiday in NSW.
Is Christmas Eve a public holiday?
No — Christmas Eve is not a public holiday in NSW.
NSW quirks worth knowing
Bank Holiday on the first Monday of August is a NSW-specific holiday — and is a substituted holiday only for some industries (banks, insurers).
If 25 April (Anzac Day) falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Public Holidays Act 2010 (NSW) does not provide for a substitute day. The day itself remains the holiday.
If Christmas Day or Boxing Day fall on a weekend, additional public holidays are added on the following Monday and/or Tuesday — these vary year to year.
Working a public holiday in NSW?
The penalty rate that applies depends on your modern award and employment type. Use our calculator to see the exact rate for your award + classification + state combination.
Other states & territories
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