VIC public holidays 2026
Victoria has the most public holidays of any Australian state — 13 in 2026, including the Friday before AFL Grand Final and the Tuesday of Melbourne Cup. Victorian penalty rates apply across all sectors with award coverage.
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 | VIC-only |
| Friday 25 December 2026 | Fri | Christmas Day | National |
| Saturday 26 December 2026 | Sat | Boxing Day | National |
Sources: The Public Holidays Act 1993 (Vic) defines public holidays. Penalty-rate obligations come from the Fair Work Act 2009 + applicable modern awards. Always cross-check with the current state gazette for any year-of substitutions when a holiday falls on a weekend.
VIC quirks worth knowing
AFL Grand Final Eve (the Friday before the AFL Grand Final) is a uniquely Victorian public holiday — usually late September, the date is gazetted each year once the AFL fixture is finalised.
Melbourne Cup Day (first Tuesday in November) is a public holiday across all of Victoria, not just Melbourne. Some employers misunderstand this and underpay.
Easter Sunday is a separate public holiday in Victoria (added under the Public Holidays Act 1993) — distinct from Easter Saturday and Easter Monday.
The Friday before the AFL Grand Final was added in 2015 — relatively recent, and a frequent source of payroll errors.
Working a public holiday in VIC?
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.