SA Public Holidays 2026 & 2027
Every public holiday in South Australia for 2026 and 2027 — Adelaide Cup Day, Proclamation Day, part-day holidays and answers to every specific question.
SA Public Holidays 2026
All 14 declared public holiday dates in South Australia for 2026, including the two part-day holidays on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, sourced from SafeWork SA.
Notes: Anzac Day falls on a Saturday in 2026 — SA does not declare a substitute Monday. Proclamation Day (SA's Boxing Day equivalent) falls on a Saturday, so Monday 28 December is an additional public holiday. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are part-day holidays from 7pm to midnight only. Source: SafeWork SA and Fair Work Ombudsman.
SA Public Holidays 2027
All 15 declared public holiday dates in South Australia for 2027. Note that Anzac Day falls on a Sunday with no substitute Monday. Source: SafeWork SA.
2027 note: Anzac Day falls on Sunday 25 April 2027 — SA does not declare a substitute, so Monday 26 April remains a normal working day. Christmas Day (Saturday) and Proclamation Day (Sunday) trigger additional public holidays on Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December respectively. Source: SafeWork SA.
SA Long Weekends 2026 & 2027
Plan ahead with these South Australia long weekends.
2026 Long Weekends
Adelaide Cup Day
Easter
Full 4-day long weekend
King's Birthday
Labour Day
Christmas–New Year
+ 1 Jan 2027 (New Year's Day, Friday)
Anzac Day
Single-day only — no SA substitute
2027 Long Weekends
Adelaide Cup Day
Easter
King's Birthday
Labour Day
Christmas–New Year
4 days — Mon & Tue additional public holidays
Anzac Day
No substitute — Mon 26 Apr is a normal day
SA Public Holiday Questions — Quick Answers
Direct answers to the most common public holiday questions for South Australia.
What is Proclamation Day?
SA's name for the 26 December public holiday, equivalent to Boxing Day elsewhere. Commemorates SA's proclamation as a British province in 1836. In 2026: Saturday 26 December.
✓ SA's Boxing DayWhat is Adelaide Cup Day?
A public holiday unique to SA, on the second Monday in March, coinciding with the Adelaide Cup horse race but applying statewide. In 2026: Monday 9 March.
✓ SA-exclusiveDoes SA get a Monday off if Anzac Day is on a weekend?
No. SA never declares a substitute for Anzac Day, whether it falls on Saturday or Sunday. This matches Tasmania and the NT.
✗ No — same as TAS/NTIs Christmas Eve a public holiday in SA?
Yes, but only a part-day holiday from 7pm to midnight — the same arrangement as the Northern Territory. Normal trading hours apply during the day.
⚑ Part-day onlyDoes SA observe Easter Saturday and Sunday?
Yes, both are full public holidays in SA — matching NSW and ACT. This differs from QLD, WA and TAS.
✓ Yes — both daysIs New Year's Eve a public holiday in SA?
Yes, as a part-day holiday from 7pm to midnight — the same as Christmas Eve.
⚑ Part-day onlyHow many public holidays does SA have per year?
14 declared dates in 2026, including the two part-day holidays — one of the higher counts among Australian states.
14 in 2026Is King's Birthday the same date as NSW in SA?
Yes. SA observes King's Birthday on the second Monday in June, identical to NSW, TAS and ACT. In 2026: Monday 8 June.
✓ Same as other statesIs Labour Day in SA the same date as other states?
Yes. SA's Labour Day is on the first Monday in October, matching the ACT and NSW's Labour Day. In 2026: Monday 5 October.
✓ Same as NSW/ACTWhat is the legal basis for SA public holidays?
The Holidays Act 1910 (SA), which governs the statewide dates and the part-day holiday arrangements for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Holidays Act 1910How SA Public Holidays Affect Annual Leave
Important rules every South Australian employee and employer needs to know about public holidays and leave periods.
Example: An employee takes 1 week of annual leave from Monday 5 October to Friday 9 October 2026. Labour Day falls on Monday 5 October 2026, within this period. The employee's annual leave balance is debited for 4 working days (not 5), because Labour Day is deducted as a public holiday, not annual leave.
Working on an SA public holiday?
Most modern awards pay 225%–250% for public holiday work. Calculate your exact penalty rate for any SA public holiday — including Proclamation Day and Adelaide Cup Day.
Public Holiday Rights for SA Workers
Your entitlements under the Fair Work Act 2009 and Holidays Act 1910 (SA) 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 SA public holiday, your modern award or enterprise agreement sets the penalty rate. Most awards pay 225% or 250%. 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 (Fair Work Act s.116).
What happens when an SA 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) | No substitute — SA does not declare one | No substitute — SA does not declare one |
| Christmas Day (25 Dec) | Additional PH declared — typically Mon 27 Dec | Additional PH declared — typically Mon 26 or 27 Dec |
| Proclamation 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 1910 (SA). Always verify against SafeWork SA or the Fair Work Ombudsman before rostering or planning.
SA Public Holidays — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to every specific public holiday question for South Australia.
What are the SA public holidays in 2026?
The 2026 SA public holidays are: New Year's Day (Thu 1 Jan), Australia Day (Mon 26 Jan), Adelaide Cup 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, no substitute), King's Birthday (Mon 8 Jun), Labour Day (Mon 5 Oct), Christmas Eve part-day (Thu 24 Dec, 7pm-midnight), Christmas Day (Fri 25 Dec), Proclamation Day (Sat 26 Dec, with additional PH Mon 28 Dec), and New Year's Eve part-day (Thu 31 Dec, 7pm-midnight). Source: SafeWork SA.
What is Proclamation Day in South Australia?
SA's name for the public holiday observed on 26 December, equivalent to Boxing Day elsewhere. Commemorates the proclamation of SA as a British province on 28 December 1836 at The Old Gum Tree, Glenelg.
What is Adelaide Cup Day?
A public holiday unique to SA, on the second Monday in March, coinciding with the Adelaide Cup horse race but applying statewide regardless of racing attendance. In 2026: Monday 9 March. In 2027: Monday 8 March.
Are Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve public holidays in SA?
Yes, but only as part-day holidays, from 7pm to midnight — matching the Northern Territory's arrangement. Normal daytime trading hours apply.
Does SA get a substitute holiday when Anzac Day falls on a weekend?
No. SA does not declare a substitute public holiday when Anzac Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, matching Tasmania and the NT.
How many public holidays does South Australia have per year?
14 declared public holiday dates in 2026, including the two part-day holidays on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve — one of the higher counts among Australian states.