NSW Public Holidays 2026 & 2027
Every public holiday in New South Wales for 2026 and 2027 — dates, days, long weekends, penalty rates, annual leave impact and answers to every specific question.
NSW Public Holidays 2026
All 12 official statewide public holiday dates in New South Wales for 2026, sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman and NSW Government. The Bank Holiday (3 August) is also listed — see note below.
Notes: Easter Saturday (4 April) is a public holiday in NSW but not in all states. The Bank Holiday (3 August) applies only to banks and certain financial institutions under the Retail Trading Act 2008 — it is not a declared public holiday for all workers. Boxing Day falls on a Saturday in 2026; Monday 28 December is declared an additional public holiday. Source: Fair Work Ombudsman and NSW Government.
NSW Public Holidays 2027
All 14 statewide public holiday dates in NSW for 2027, including additional holidays where Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on weekends. Source: Fair Work Ombudsman.
2027 note: Christmas Day falls on Saturday 25 December and Boxing Day on Sunday 26 December — the NSW Public Holidays Act 2010 therefore declares Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December as additional public holidays. Anzac Day falls on Sunday 25 April 2027; Monday 26 April is an additional public holiday per the Public Holidays Order 2011. Source: Fair Work Ombudsman 2027.
NSW Long Weekends 2026 & 2027
Plan ahead with these NSW long weekends — all the dates you need for travel, leave planning and rostering.
2026 Long Weekends
Australia Day
Easter
+ Easter Saturday (public holiday in NSW)
Anzac Day
Sat — check your award for entitlements
King’s Birthday
Labour Day
Christmas–New Year
+ 1 Jan 2027 (New Year’s Day, Friday)
2027 Long Weekends
Australia Day
Easter
Anzac Day
Additional public holiday declared
King’s Birthday
Labour Day
Christmas–New Year
4 days — Mon & Tue additional public holidays
NSW Public Holiday Questions — Quick Answers
Direct answers to the most common public holiday questions for New South Wales.
Is Easter Saturday a public holiday in NSW?
Yes. Easter Saturday is an official public holiday in NSW under the Public Holidays Act 2010. In 2026: Saturday 4 April. In 2027: Saturday 27 March. Not all states observe this — it’s not a public holiday in QLD or WA.
✓ Yes — NSW onlyIs Good Friday a public holiday in NSW?
Yes. Good Friday is a national public holiday in all Australian states. In 2026: Friday 3 April. In 2027: Friday 26 March. Most shops must remain closed — it’s one of the most restricted trading days in NSW.
✓ Yes — NationalIs the Bank Holiday a public holiday in NSW?
Not for most workers. The Bank Holiday (first Monday August) only applies to retail banks and certain financial institutions under the Retail Trading Act 2008. Schools and most businesses remain open. In 2026: Monday 3 August.
⚑ Banks onlyIs Labour Day a public holiday in NSW?
Yes. NSW Labour Day is the first Monday in October. In 2026: Monday 5 October. In 2027: Monday 4 October. It commemorates the 8-hour workday movement and is a full public holiday for all covered employees.
✓ Yes — NSWIs Easter Sunday a public holiday in NSW?
Yes. Easter Sunday has been a national public holiday in all Australian states since the Fair Work Amendment (Easter Sunday) Act 2011. In 2026: Sunday 5 April. In 2027: Sunday 28 March.
✓ Yes — NationalIs Good Friday a restricted trading day in NSW?
Yes. Good Friday is one of the most restricted trading days in NSW. Most retail shops must close for the entire day. Only exempt retailers (pharmacies, service stations, certain tourism and transport businesses) may trade. Different rules apply to hospitality.
✓ RestrictedIs Boxing Day a public holiday in NSW?
Yes. Boxing Day is a national public holiday. In 2026 it falls on Saturday 26 December; Monday 28 December is declared an additional public holiday. In 2027 it falls on Sunday 26 December; Tuesday 28 December is the additional public holiday.
✓ Yes — NationalIs Christmas Eve a public holiday in NSW?
No. Christmas Eve (24 December) is not a public holiday in NSW. It is a public holiday in the NT and SA (from 7 pm to midnight) but not in New South Wales. Christmas Day (25 December) is the public holiday.
✗ NoIs New Year’s Eve a public holiday in NSW?
No. New Year’s Eve (31 December) is not a public holiday in NSW. It is a public holiday in the NT and SA (from 7 pm to midnight). New Year’s Day (1 January) is the national public holiday.
✗ NoIs Easter Tuesday a public holiday in NSW?
No. Easter Tuesday is not a public holiday in NSW. It is only observed as a public holiday for the Tasmanian Public Service. The NSW Easter public holidays are Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday only.
✗ No — TAS onlyHow many public holidays in NSW per year?
NSW has 11 standard public holidays per year under the Public Holidays Act 2010. In years where Christmas or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, additional substitute days bring the total to 12 or 13. In 2026: 12 declared public holidays (13 including Bank Holiday). In 2027: 14 (including both Anzac Day and Christmas/Boxing Day additional days).
11 standardIs Anzac Day 2026 a public holiday in NSW?
Yes. Anzac Day is a national public holiday. In 2026 it falls on Saturday 25 April. Note: the Fair Work and NSW Government guidance should be checked for whether a substitute Monday is declared — the Public Holidays Order 2011 specifically addresses Anzac Day on weekends in NSW for 2026 and 2027.
✓ Yes — NationalHow NSW Public Holidays Affect Annual Leave
Important rules every NSW employee and employer needs to know about public holidays and leave periods.
Example: An employee takes 2 weeks of annual leave from Monday 3 October to Sunday 18 October 2026. Labour Day falls on Monday 5 October 2026. The employee’s annual leave balance is debited for 9 working days (not 10), because Labour Day is deducted as a public holiday, not annual leave.
Similarly, if your annual leave includes the Easter period, you do not lose Good Friday, Easter Saturday (in NSW), Easter Sunday or Easter Monday from your leave balance — those are public holidays. Your employer is required to credit them back or extend your leave by the equivalent number of days.
Working on a NSW public holiday?
Most modern awards pay 225%–250% for public holiday work. Calculate your exact penalty rate for any NSW public holiday — including Easter Saturday and Labour Day.
Public Holiday Rights for NSW Workers
Your entitlements under the Fair Work Act 2009 and NSW Public Holidays Act 2010 when it comes to public holidays.
Right to be absent
Under Section 114 of the Fair Work Act 2009, you have the right to be absent from work on a public holiday. An employer can request you work, but you may refuse if the request is unreasonable (e.g. insufficient notice, caring responsibilities, or the work is not essential).
Right to ordinary pay
Under Section 116 of the Fair Work Act, if you are absent on a public holiday, you are entitled to be paid your ordinary rate. Your employer cannot dock pay or require you to use annual leave to cover a public holiday you didn’t work.
Penalty rates for working
If you work on a public holiday, your modern award or enterprise agreement sets the penalty rate. Most awards pay 225% (double time and a quarter) or 250% (double time and a half) on public holidays. Use the Public Holiday Rate Calculator to check yours.
Annual leave protection
If a public holiday falls within your approved annual leave period, that day cannot be deducted from your leave balance. Your employer must substitute a leave day or extend your leave by the same number of public holidays in the period (Fair Work Act s.116).
What happens when a NSW public holiday falls on a weekend?
| Holiday | If falls on Saturday | If falls on Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (1 Jan) | Additional public holiday declared (typically the following Monday) | Additional public holiday declared (typically the following Monday) |
| Australia Day (26 Jan) | No PH on Sat — following Monday is the public holiday instead | No PH on Sun — following Monday is the public holiday instead |
| Anzac Day (25 Apr) | NSW Public Holidays Order 2011 specifically declares a Monday additional PH for 2026 and 2027 | Additional public holiday on Monday per the Order |
| Christmas Day (25 Dec) | Additional PH declared — typically Mon 27 Dec | Additional PH declared — typically Mon 26 Dec or Mon 27 Dec |
| Boxing Day (26 Dec) | Additional PH declared — typically Mon 28 Dec | Additional PH declared — typically Mon 27 or 28 Dec |
These rules are set by the NSW Public Holidays Act 2010 and the Public Holidays Order 2011. The exact dates of additional public holidays are confirmed by the NSW Government each year. Always verify against the NSW Government public holidays page or the Fair Work Ombudsman before rostering or planning.
NSW Public Holidays — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to every specific public holiday question for New South Wales.
What are the NSW public holidays in 2026?
The 12 official NSW public holidays in 2026 are: New Year’s Day (Thu 1 Jan), Australia Day (Mon 26 Jan), Good Friday (Fri 3 Apr), Easter Saturday (Sat 4 Apr — NSW only), Easter Sunday (Sun 5 Apr), Easter Monday (Mon 6 Apr), Anzac Day (Sat 25 Apr), King’s Birthday (Mon 8 June), Labour Day (Mon 5 Oct), Christmas Day (Fri 25 Dec), Boxing Day (Sat 26 Dec), and an additional public holiday for Boxing Day (Mon 28 Dec). The Bank Holiday (Mon 3 Aug) affects banks only. Source: Fair Work Ombudsman and NSW Government.
Is Easter Saturday a public holiday in NSW?
Yes. Easter Saturday is an official public holiday in NSW under the Public Holidays Act 2010. In 2026 it falls on Saturday 4 April; in 2027 on Saturday 27 March. Not all states observe Easter Saturday — it is not a public holiday in Queensland or Western Australia. If you work in retail, hospitality or another industry covered by a modern award in NSW, you may be entitled to penalty rates for working Easter Saturday.
When is the NSW King’s Birthday public holiday in 2026?
The NSW King’s Birthday public holiday in 2026 falls on Monday 8 June 2026. In 2027 it falls on Monday 14 June 2027. NSW observes the King’s Birthday on the second Monday in June. This differs from Western Australia, which observes it in late September.
What is the June public holiday in NSW?
The June public holiday in NSW is the King’s Birthday, observed on the second Monday in June. In 2026: Monday 8 June. In 2027: Monday 14 June. This creates a 3-day long weekend in early-to-mid June each year.
Is Labour Day a public holiday in NSW?
Yes. NSW Labour Day is observed on the first Monday in October — a full public holiday for all covered employees. In 2026: Monday 5 October. In 2027: Monday 4 October. It commemorates the 1856 stonemasons’ march for an 8-hour working day.
How does a public holiday affect annual leave in NSW?
If a public holiday falls within your approved annual leave period, that day is not deducted from your annual leave balance. You receive the public holiday at your ordinary rate in addition to your leave — your employer cannot count a public holiday as a leave day. This right is protected under Section 116 of the Fair Work Act 2009 and applies to all NSW employees covered by the NES. To check your leave balance, use the Annual Leave Calculator.
What are the NSW public holidays in 2027?
The 14 NSW public holiday dates in 2027 are: New Year’s Day (Fri 1 Jan), Australia Day (Tue 26 Jan), Good Friday (Fri 26 Mar), Easter Saturday (Sat 27 Mar), Easter Sunday (Sun 28 Mar), Easter Monday (Mon 29 Mar), Anzac Day (Sun 25 Apr), Additional Anzac Day PH (Mon 26 Apr), King’s Birthday (Mon 14 Jun), Labour Day (Mon 4 Oct), Christmas Day (Sat 25 Dec), Additional Christmas PH (Mon 27 Dec), Boxing Day (Sun 26 Dec), Additional Boxing Day PH (Tue 28 Dec). 2027 has an unusually long Christmas–New Year period due to weekend dates. Source: Fair Work Ombudsman.
What happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend in NSW?
Under the NSW Public Holidays Act 2010: Australia Day on a weekend shifts the public holiday to the following Monday. Christmas Day and Boxing Day on weekends trigger additional declared public holidays (typically the following Monday and/or Tuesday). Anzac Day on a weekend is handled by the Public Holidays Order 2011 (NSW), which declares specific additional public holidays for 2026 and 2027. New Year’s Day on a weekend typically triggers an additional Monday public holiday.
Can my employer make me work on a public holiday in NSW?
Under Section 114 of the Fair Work Act 2009, an employer can request you work on a public holiday, but you may refuse if the request is unreasonable. Factors include: the nature of the work, the notice given, your personal circumstances (such as caring responsibilities), and whether the request is consistent with your employment agreement. Employers cannot penalise you for a reasonable refusal. If your award permits the employer to roster you on public holidays, different conditions may apply — check your modern award.
How many public holidays does NSW have per year?
NSW has 11 standard public holidays under the Public Holidays Act 2010. In years where Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, additional substitute public holidays are declared, bringing the total to 12–14. In 2026: 12 declared public holidays. In 2027: 14 declared public holiday dates (due to Anzac Day and Christmas/Boxing Day weekend substitutions). Note: the Bank Holiday is listed by the NSW Government but is not a declared public holiday for most workers.