ACT Public Holidays 2026 & 2027
Every public holiday in the ACT for 2026 and 2027 — Canberra Day, Reconciliation Day, Easter Saturday and Sunday, long weekends and answers to every specific question.
ACT Public Holidays 2026
All 13 declared public holiday dates in the Australian Capital Territory for 2026, including Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day, sourced from the ACT Government.
Notes: Anzac Day falls on a Saturday in 2026 — the ACT Government has declared Monday 27 April as an additional public holiday. Reconciliation Day is observed on Monday 1 June, since 27 May itself falls on a Wednesday. Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, so Monday 28 December is an additional public holiday. Source: ACT Government and Fair Work Ombudsman.
ACT Public Holidays 2027
All 16 declared public holiday dates in the ACT for 2027, including additional days where Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on weekends. Source: ACT Government.
2027 note: Anzac Day falls on Sunday 25 April 2027 — based on the ACT's established pattern of declaring substitutes for weekend Anzac Days, Monday 26 April is expected to be declared an additional public holiday, though this is confirmed annually and should be verified closer to the date. Reconciliation Day is observed on Monday 31 May, since 27 May falls on a Thursday. Christmas Day (Saturday) and Boxing Day (Sunday) trigger additional public holidays on Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December respectively. 2027 dates are subject to confirmation by government declaration — always verify with the ACT Government before finalising rosters or leave plans.
ACT Long Weekends 2026 & 2027
Plan ahead with these ACT long weekends — all the dates you need for travel, leave planning and rostering.
2026 Long Weekends
Canberra Day
Easter
Full 4-day long weekend
Anzac Day
Sat + additional Mon PH
Reconciliation–King's Birthday
Two Mondays off within 8 days
Labour Day
Christmas–New Year
+ 1 Jan 2027 (New Year's Day, Friday)
2027 Long Weekends
Canberra Day
Easter
Anzac Day
Additional public holiday expected
Reconciliation–King's Birthday
Labour Day
Christmas–New Year
4 days — Mon & Tue additional public holidays
ACT Public Holiday Questions — Quick Answers
Direct answers to the most common public holiday questions for the ACT.
What is Reconciliation Day?
A public holiday unique to the ACT, introduced in 2018, marking the anniversary of the 1967 referendum. Observed on 27 May if it's a Monday, otherwise the following Monday. In 2026: Monday 1 June.
✓ ACT-exclusiveDoes the ACT observe Easter Saturday and Sunday?
Yes, both are full public holidays in the ACT — matching NSW and SA. This differs from QLD, WA and TAS, which don't gazette these as statewide holidays.
✓ Yes — both daysDoes the ACT give a Monday off if Anzac Day is on a weekend?
Yes. The ACT Government declares an additional public holiday when Anzac Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday — matching NSW and WA, unlike SA and TAS which don't.
✓ Yes — matches NSW/WAWhat is Canberra Day?
A public holiday unique to the ACT and Jervis Bay Territory, on the second Monday in March, commemorating Canberra's official naming in 1913. In 2026: Monday 9 March.
✓ ACT/JBT onlyIs there still a "Family and Community Day" in the ACT?
No, this appears to have been discontinued — current ACT Government public holiday lists reference only Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day as the territory-specific holidays.
✗ No longer listedIs Labour Day a public holiday in the ACT?
Yes, on the first Monday in October — the same date as NSW's Labour Day. In 2026: Monday 5 October. In 2027: Monday 4 October.
✓ Yes — matches NSWHow many public holidays does the ACT have per year?
13 public holidays in 2026, including two territory-specific dates (Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day) not observed anywhere else in Australia.
13 in 2026Are ACT public holidays the same across Canberra suburbs?
Yes. Unlike Tasmania, there are no regional public holidays in the ACT — dates are identical whether you're in Belconnen, Griffith, Gungahlin or any other suburb.
✓ Uniform territory-wideIs King's Birthday the same date as NSW in the ACT?
Yes. The ACT observes King's Birthday on the second Monday in June, identical to NSW, SA and TAS. In 2026: Monday 8 June. In 2027: Monday 14 June.
✓ Same as NSW/SA/TASWhat is the legal basis for ACT public holidays?
The Holidays Act 1958 (ACT), which sets the standard dates and the conditions that trigger substitute observed days when holidays fall on weekends.
Holidays Act 1958How ACT Public Holidays Affect Annual Leave
Important rules every ACT employee and employer needs to know about public holidays and leave periods.
Example: An employee takes 2 weeks of annual leave from Monday 25 May to Friday 5 June 2026. Reconciliation Day falls on Monday 1 June 2026, within this period. The employee's annual leave balance is debited for 9 working days (not 10), because Reconciliation Day is deducted as a public holiday, not annual leave.
The ACT's cluster of public holidays in late May/early June — Reconciliation Day followed by King's Birthday just one week later — creates an unusually efficient period for annual leave planning, with two separate long weekends within eight days of each other.
Working on an ACT public holiday?
Most modern awards pay 225%–250% for public holiday work. Calculate your exact penalty rate for any ACT public holiday — including Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day.
Public Holiday Rights for ACT Workers
Your entitlements under the Fair Work Act 2009 and Holidays Act 1958 (ACT) 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.
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 an ACT 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). 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 an ACT 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 | Additional public holiday declared |
| 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) | Additional public holiday declared on following Monday | Additional public holiday declared on following Monday |
| Christmas Day (25 Dec) | Additional PH declared — typically Mon 27 Dec | Additional PH declared — typically Mon 26 or 27 Dec |
| Boxing Day (26 Dec) | Additional PH declared — typically Mon 28 Dec | Additional PH declared — typically Tue 28 Dec |
These rules are set by the Holidays Act 1958 (ACT). The ACT Government issues a formal declaration each time Anzac Day falls on a weekend — always verify against the ACT Government or the Fair Work Ombudsman before rostering or planning.
ACT Public Holidays — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to every specific public holiday question for the ACT.
What are the ACT public holidays in 2026?
The 13 ACT public holidays in 2026 are: New Year's Day (Thu 1 Jan), Australia Day (Mon 26 Jan), Canberra Day (Mon 9 Mar), Good Friday (Fri 3 Apr), Easter Saturday (Sat 4 Apr), Easter Sunday (Sun 5 Apr), Easter Monday (Mon 6 Apr), Anzac Day (Sat 25 Apr, with additional PH Mon 27 Apr), Reconciliation Day (Mon 1 Jun), King's Birthday (Mon 8 Jun), Labour Day (Mon 5 Oct), Christmas Day (Fri 25 Dec), Boxing Day (Sat 26 Dec, with additional PH Mon 28 Dec). Source: ACT Government.
What is Reconciliation Day in the ACT?
A public holiday unique to the ACT, introduced in 2018, marking the anniversary of the 1967 referendum which included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the census. Observed on 27 May if that's a Monday, otherwise the following Monday. In 2026: Monday 1 June (since 27 May is a Wednesday).
Does the ACT observe Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday as public holidays?
Yes. The ACT observes both Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday as full public holidays, alongside Good Friday and Easter Monday — matching NSW and SA, and differing from QLD, WA and TAS.
Does the ACT get a substitute public holiday when Anzac Day falls on a weekend?
Yes. The ACT Government declares an additional public holiday on the following Monday when Anzac Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday. In 2026: Monday 27 April. This matches NSW and WA, and differs from SA and TAS.
What is Canberra Day?
A public holiday unique to the ACT and Jervis Bay Territory, on the second Monday in March, commemorating Canberra's official naming at a ceremony on 12 March 1913 by Lady Denman. In 2026: Monday 9 March. In 2027: Monday 8 March.
How many public holidays does the ACT have per year?
13 public holidays in 2026, including two territory-specific holidays (Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day), plus additional substitute days when Anzac Day, Christmas Day or Boxing Day fall on a weekend.