Skip to main content
FairWorkMate

VIC public holidays 2026

Victoria recognises 14 public holidays in 2026, including the Friday before the AFL Grand Final and the Tuesday of Melbourne Cup. Victorian penalty rates apply across all sectors with award coverage.

Public holidays in 2026
14
VIC-only days
3
Days with penalty rates
14

Every public holiday in 2026

DateDayHolidayCoverage
Thursday 1 January 2026ThuNew Year's DayNational
Monday 26 January 2026MonAustralia DayNational
Monday 9 March 2026MonLabour DayVIC-only
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 8 June 2026MonKing's Birthday6 of 8
Friday 25 September 2026FriAFL Grand Final FridayVIC-only
Tuesday 3 November 2026TueMelbourne CupVIC-only
Friday 25 December 2026FriChristmas DayNational
Saturday 26 December 2026SatBoxing Day6 of 8
Monday 28 December 2026MonBoxing Day (additional)6 of 8

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.

Calculate my public holiday rate →Or all penalty rates →

Other states & territories

New South Wales (NSW)View →Queensland (QLD)View →South Australia (SA)View →Western Australia (WA)View →Tasmania (TAS)View →Australian Capital Territory (ACT)View →Northern Territory (NT)View →