SA public holidays 2026
South Australia recognises 11 public holidays in 2026, including Proclamation Day on 26 December (or substituted day) and Adelaide Cup Day on the second Monday in March.
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 | National |
| Monday 6 April 2026 | Mon | Easter Monday | National |
| Saturday 25 April 2026 | Sat | Anzac Day | National |
| Monday 8 June 2026 | Mon | Queen's Birthday | SA-only |
| Friday 25 December 2026 | Fri | Christmas Day | National |
| Saturday 26 December 2026 | Sat | Boxing Day | National |
Sources: The Holidays Act 1910 (SA) sets the public holiday list. Penalty rates come from modern awards under the Fair Work Act 2009. Always cross-check with the current state gazette for any year-of substitutions when a holiday falls on a weekend.
SA quirks worth knowing
Adelaide Cup Day is the second Monday in March — a unique South Australian holiday.
Proclamation Day (26 December) is celebrated separately from Boxing Day in some industries — a quirk that leads to underpayment errors when employers assume only one is a public holiday.
Christmas Eve (24 December) is a part-day public holiday in SA from 7pm to midnight — the only state that treats Christmas Eve this way.
New Year's Eve (31 December) is also a part-day public holiday in SA from 7pm to midnight, since 2012.
Working a public holiday in SA?
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.