Anzac Day 2026 Falls on a Saturday Across Australia
Anzac Day 2026 marks the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. It falls on Saturday, April 25, creating a split in how Australian states and territories observe the public holiday.
Australians gather at dawn services on Anzac Day to honour the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. [ABC News]
Every state and territory recognises April 25 as a public holiday. However, only three jurisdictions grant workers an additional day off on Monday, April 27. The remaining five do not.
The difference comes down to each state’s own public holiday laws. Australia’s federal system gives states and territories significant authority over employment conditions, including when substitute holidays apply.
Three Jurisdictions Grant Monday Off for Anzac Day
New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory will observe a second public holiday on Monday, April 27, 2026.
Workers in these three jurisdictions effectively receive a long weekend. Employers must treat Monday as a full public holiday, which means standard entitlements and penalty rates apply.
The Fair Work Ombudsman confirmed this arrangement in official guidance published ahead of the weekend. All employees have the legal right not to work on a recognised public holiday.
NSW Introduces Two-Year Trial for the Anzac Day Monday Holiday
New South Wales is joining the list for the first time under a two-year trial. The Minns government introduced the policy to cover both 2026 and 2027, since Anzac Day falls on weekends in both years.
NSW Premier Chris Minns announced the change earlier this year. He stated the state was “underserved when it comes to public holidays” compared to other mainland states and territories.
The NSW government introduced a two-year trial for a substitute Anzac Day public holiday. [Wikipedia]
The Monday public holiday falls under the Public Holidays Act 2010. However, trading restrictions under the Retail Trading Act 2008 remain tied strictly to April 25 itself. The additional Monday does not carry those same trading rules.
WA Long-Standing Law Automatically Triggers the Substitute Holiday
Western Australia does not require a new policy decision each time Anzac Day falls on a weekend. The state has long-standing legislation that automatically creates a substitute weekday public holiday in such circumstances.
This means WA workers have consistently received a Monday off whenever April 25 lands on a Saturday or Sunday. The arrangement has been in place for years and requires no government announcement.
WA’s approach contrasts sharply with states like Victoria and Queensland. Those states treat Anzac Day as a fixed-date holiday, which means no substitute day applies when it falls on a weekend.
ACT Breaks from Previous Practice to Align with NSW and WA
The ACT government confirmed it would also observe Monday, April 27 as a public holiday in 2026. This marks a shift from previous years, when the territory only recognised April 25.
ACT Minister for Industrial Relations Michael Pettersson described the change as an administrative decision. He said it does not affect the meaning or significance of the day.
“Anzac Day will always be commemorated on April 25, and all commemorative activities will occur on the Saturday as usual,” Pettersson said. He added that moving the observance to Monday brings the ACT in line with other days of national significance.
Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and NT Observe Saturday Only
Five states and territories will not grant a substitute public holiday. Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory all treat Anzac Day as a fixed-date observance.
Public holiday rules differ across Australian states and territories in 2026. [Facebook]
Under their respective laws, no additional weekday holiday applies when April 25 falls on a Saturday. Workers in these states return to work on Monday, April 27, as normal.
Victoria’s Public Holidays Act 1993 does not include a provision for substitute holidays in this scenario. Queensland and South Australia operate under similar fixed-date frameworks.
Business Groups Raise Cost Concerns Over the Extra Holiday
Not everyone has welcomed the additional public holiday. The Canberra Business Chamber pushed back against the ACT government’s decision before it was finalised.
Chamber Chief Executive Greg Harford said the decision would increase costs for private sector employers. He argued the practice was out of step with most other states and would not support productivity.
Business groups in NSW raised similar concerns. Hospitality operators, in particular, pointed to increased wage costs from penalty rates on the additional holiday Monday.
Restaurant and Cafe Industry Responds to Monday Holiday in NSW and ACT
The Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association took a different position. The group said it would encourage its members to remain closed on Monday so staff could benefit from the public holiday.
This response reflects the broader tension between business operations and worker entitlements. Hospitality businesses face some of the highest penalty rate obligations on public holidays.
The association’s guidance applies specifically in NSW and the ACT, where Monday is officially recognised. Businesses in other states face no such obligation on April 27.
NSW Government Plans Review After the Two-Year Trial Period Ends
The NSW government has confirmed it will review the Anzac Day Monday holiday policy after 2027. The review will assess both the economic and social impact of the two-year trial.
The outcome of that review could shape NSW’s approach beyond 2027. It may also influence other states that currently do not provide a substitute holiday.
For now, the policy remains in place for both 2026 and 2027. Workers and employers in NSW are encouraged to check the Fair Work Ombudsman guidance for details on entitlements and obligations.
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FAQS
Q1. When is Anzac Day in 2026?
A1. Anzac Day falls on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Q2. Which states get an extra public holiday on Monday, April 27, 2026?
A2. New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory.
Q3. Why do only some states get the Monday public holiday?
A3. Because each state and territory sets its own public holiday laws.
Q4. Do workers have to work on the Monday public holiday?
A4. No. Employees can refuse work on a public holiday under Fair Work Ombudsman guidelines, unless reasonably required.
Q5. Will penalty rates apply on Monday, April 27?
A5. Yes. It is treated as a full public holiday in NSW, WA, and ACT.
Disclaimer
This content is published by Colitco for general informational purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, Colitco does not guarantee the completeness or reliability of the information regarding Anzac Day 2026 public holiday arrangements. This article does not constitute legal, financial, or employment advice. Readers should verify details with official sources, including the Fair Work Ombudsman or relevant state authorities, before making any decisions based on this information.
Sources
https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/why-only-nsw-wa-act-get-a-public-holiday-anzac-day/
https://www.miragenews.com/monday-public-holiday-confirmed-for-anzac-day-1580428
https://www.smartcompany.com.au/retail/anzac-day-2026-public-holiday-monday-which-states-australia/
Last modified: April 25, 2026
