Western Australia Public Holidays 2026 & 2027

The 2026 WA public holidays are: New Year’s Day (Thu 1 Jan), Australia Day (Mon 26 Jan), Labour Day (Mon 2 Mar), Good Friday (Fri 3 Apr), Easter Sunday (Sun 5 Apr), Easter Monday (Mon 6 Apr), Anzac Day (Sat 25 Apr), Anzac Day substitute (Mon 27 Apr), Western Australia Day (Mon 1 Jun), King’s Birthday (Mon 28 Sep), Christmas Day (Fri 25 Dec), Boxing Day (Sat 26 Dec), Boxing Day substitute (Mon 28 Dec). Source: Western Australian Government, wa.gov.au, updated 25 May 2026.

WA has historically observed the sovereign’s birthday on the last Monday in September, differing from most other states which observe it in June. This dates back to WA’s separate legislative arrangements under the Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972. There has been periodic discussion about aligning with other states, but as of 2026 WA continues to observe King’s Birthday in September statewide, with some regional exceptions.

Yes — WA provides a substitute Monday when Anzac Day falls on either Saturday or Sunday. In 2026 (Saturday): substitute Monday 27 April. In 2027 (Sunday): substitute Monday 26 April. This distinguishes WA from Queensland, which only provides a substitute when Anzac Day falls on a Sunday and not when it falls on a Saturday.

Easter Sunday was established as a public holiday in Western Australia in February 2022. Before that, WA observed Good Friday and Easter Monday but not Easter Sunday. WA does not have Easter Saturday as a public holiday — instead it has Easter Sunday, making it the only mainland state with this arrangement (the others have Easter Saturday instead).

Western Australia is unique in having two systems of employment law for private sector employees: the national Fair Work system (covering most constitutional corporations) and the WA state industrial relations system (covering sole traders, partnerships, and non-constitutional corporations). Public holiday entitlements and pay rates differ between the two systems. Most large employers in WA are covered by the national system. If you are unsure which system applies to you, contact Wageline on 1300 655 266 or visit wa.gov.au.

Some regional local government areas observe King’s Birthday on an alternative date. In 2026, Karratha (City of Karratha) and Port Hedland (Town of Port Hedland) both observe Monday 3 August 2026 instead of the statewide Monday 28 September 2026. On the alternative date, the statewide King’s Birthday date is not a public holiday for employees in those areas.

Under section 114 of the Fair Work Act 2009, an employer can request an employee to work on a public holiday, but the employee may refuse if the request is not reasonable. A refusal is reasonable if you have carer responsibilities, the day has cultural or religious significance, or insufficient notice was given. If you work, you are entitled to the penalty rates in your award. WA state system employees should check their WA award via Wageline on 1300 655 266.