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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.

Public holidays in 2026
14
NSW-only days
1
Days with penalty rates
14

Every public holiday in 2026

DateDayHolidayCoverage
Thursday 1 January 2026ThuNew Year's DayNational
Monday 26 January 2026MonAustralia DayNational
Friday 3 April 2026FriGood FridayNational
Saturday 4 April 2026SatSaturday before Easter Sunday6 of 8
Sunday 5 April 2026SunEaster Sunday7 of 8
Monday 6 April 2026MonEaster MondayNational
Saturday 25 April 2026SatAnzac DayNational
Monday 27 April 2026MonAnzac Day (additional)3 of 8
Monday 8 June 2026MonKing's Birthday6 of 8
Monday 3 August 2026MonBank HolidayNSW-only
Monday 5 October 2026MonLabour Day3 of 8
Friday 25 December 2026FriChristmas DayNational
Saturday 26 December 2026SatBoxing Day6 of 8
Monday 28 December 2026MonBoxing 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.

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.

Calculate my public holiday rate →Or all penalty rates →

Other states & territories

Victoria (VIC)View →Queensland (QLD)View →South Australia (SA)View →Western Australia (WA)View →Tasmania (TAS)View →Australian Capital Territory (ACT)View →Northern Territory (NT)View →