Quick answer
The best Australian public holidays for extending annual leave in 2027 are:
- Australia Day: Take Monday 25 January to create four days off for one day of leave.
- Easter: Take Monday 22 to Thursday 25 March to create ten days off for four days of leave.
- Anzac Day: Where Monday 26 April is observed as a public holiday, take Friday 23 April for a four-day break.
- Monday state holidays: Take the four working days after the holiday to create nine days off for four days of leave.
- Christmas and Boxing Day: Take Monday 20 to Friday 24 December to create eleven consecutive days off for five days of leave.
The exact benefit depends on your state or territory, workplace roster and whether regional substitute holidays apply. Check the relevant state calendar before submitting leave.
The main 2027 public holiday dates
These are the key national and widely observed dates to use when planning long weekends Australia.
| Holiday | Date | Day | Planning opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January 2027 | Friday | Natural three-day weekend |
| Australia Day | 26 January 2027 | Tuesday | Take Monday for four days off |
| Good Friday | 26 March 2027 | Friday | Start of the Easter break |
| Easter Saturday | 27 March 2027 | Saturday | Public holiday in many jurisdictions |
| Easter Sunday | 28 March 2027 | Sunday | Public holiday in many jurisdictions |
| Easter Monday | 29 March 2027 | Monday | Four-day Easter weekend |
| Anzac Day | 25 April 2027 | Sunday | Substitute holiday arrangements apply |
| Anzac Day observed | 26 April 2027 | Monday | Long weekend in many states and territories |
| King’s Birthday | 14 June 2027 | Monday | Observed on this date in most southern jurisdictions |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2027 | Saturday | Substitute holiday on Monday 27 December |
| Boxing Day | 26 December 2027 | Sunday | Substitute holiday on Tuesday 28 December |
Planning note: Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday are not treated identically in every jurisdiction. Anzac Day substitute arrangements can also differ. Confirm the final dates for your location with Fair Work Ombudsman’s 2027 public holiday information.
The highest-value annual leave strategies
1. Australia Day: four days off for one day of leave
Australia Day falls on Tuesday 26 January 2027. Taking Monday 25 January as annual leave gives a break from Saturday 23 to Tuesday 26 January.
| Leave used | Public holiday | Total time off |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day: Monday 25 January | Australia Day, Tuesday 26 January | 4 days |
| 2 days: Friday 22 and Monday 25 January | Australia Day, Tuesday 26 January | 5 days |
| 4 days: Monday 25 and Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 January | Australia Day, Tuesday 26 January | 9 days |
Tip: The four-day option is efficient for a short summer trip. It uses only one annual leave day and avoids committing to a full week away.
2. Easter: ten days off for four days of leave
Easter is the strongest national leave opportunity in 2027. The public holidays run from Friday 26 to Monday 29 March.
Take annual leave on:
- Monday 22 March
- Tuesday 23 March
- Wednesday 24 March
- Thursday 25 March
This creates ten consecutive days off from Saturday 20 to Monday 29 March.
| Annual leave dates | Public holidays included | Total time off |
|---|---|---|
| 22–25 March | Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday | 10 days |
For families: Easter generally aligns with school holiday periods, but accommodation and transport can become expensive. Book early and check each state’s school holiday calendar before choosing travel dates.
Respectful note: Easter is a significant religious period for many Australians. Keep travel and event planning separate from the religious observance needs of family members and communities.
3. Anzac Day: use the observed Monday carefully
Anzac Day falls on Sunday 25 April 2027. In many states and territories, Monday 26 April is observed as a public holiday.
Taking Friday 23 April as annual leave can create a four-day break from Friday 23 to Monday 26 April.
For a longer break, take:
- Friday 23 April
- Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 April
This creates ten consecutive days off from Friday 23 April to Sunday 2 May, where the Monday substitute holiday applies.
| Leave used | Holiday arrangement | Total time off |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day: Friday 23 April | Anzac Day observed Monday 26 April | 4 days |
| 5 days: Friday 23 April and Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 April | Anzac Day observed Monday 26 April | 10 days |
Respectful note: Anzac Day is a national day of commemoration. Avoid treating dawn services and commemorative events as ordinary entertainment. Check local arrangements if attending a service.
4. Monday public holidays: nine days off for four days of leave
A Monday public holiday gives workers a simple nine-day pattern. Take the Tuesday to Friday after the holiday. The break runs from the preceding Saturday to the following Sunday.
| Public holiday | Take leave | Total time off |
|---|---|---|
| Monday holiday | Tuesday–Friday after it | 9 days |
| Monday holiday | Friday before it | 4 days |
| Monday holiday | Monday–Friday after it | 10 days, where operationally suitable |
This approach works around many state holidays, including Labour Day, King’s Birthday, WA Day, Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day.
For workers: Submit requests early. Popular Monday holidays are often targeted by several employees at the same time.
For employers: Review leave requests against roster requirements, payroll deadlines and minimum staffing levels. A published leave calendar can reduce clashes.
State and territory opportunities in 2027
State-specific holidays create additional leave opportunities beyond the common national dates.
| State or territory | Useful 2027 dates | Best strategy |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | King’s Birthday 14 June; Labour Day 4 October | Take four days after either Monday holiday |
| Victoria | Labour Day 8 March; King’s Birthday 14 June; Melbourne Cup Day 2 November | Take 9 March–12 March for nine days off, or 1 November for a four-day break |
| Queensland | Anzac Day observed 26 April; Labour Day 3 May; King’s Birthday 4 October; Ekka 11 August in Brisbane | Use the April–May sequence or take four days after a Monday holiday |
| Western Australia | Labour Day 1 March; WA Day 7 June; King’s Birthday 27 September | Take Tuesday–Friday after any of these Monday holidays |
| ACT | Canberra Day 8 March; Reconciliation Day 31 May; King’s Birthday 14 June; Labour Day 4 October | Use four days after a Monday holiday for nine days off |
| Northern Territory | May Day 3 May; Picnic Day 2 August | Take the four working days after either Monday holiday |
| South Australia | Adelaide Cup Day 8 March in relevant areas; King’s Birthday 14 June; Labour Day 4 October | Check metro and regional coverage, then use the nine-day pattern |
| Tasmania | Eight Hours Day 8 March; King’s Birthday 14 June; Recreation Day 1 November in relevant areas | Confirm local coverage before booking leave |
Victoria’s Friday before the AFL Grand Final is another potential opportunity, but the 2027 date should be confirmed once officially published.
Queensland workers should also check the Queensland public holidays 2027 guide. The Brisbane Ekka holiday applies only to defined areas, while regional Queensland has separate show holidays.
Christmas and Boxing Day: the largest end-of-year break
Christmas Day falls on Saturday 25 December 2027. Boxing Day falls on Sunday 26 December. Substitute holidays are observed on:
- Monday 27 December: Christmas Day substitute
- Tuesday 28 December: Boxing Day substitute
Take Monday 20 to Friday 24 December as annual leave. This produces eleven consecutive days off from Saturday 18 to Tuesday 28 December.
| Leave dates | Public holidays | Total time off |
|---|---|---|
| 20–24 December | 25–28 December public holidays and substitutes | 11 days |
| 20–24 and 29–31 December | 25–28 December plus New Year’s Day 2028 weekend | 16 days |
The second option requires eight annual leave days and runs from Saturday 18 December 2027 to Sunday 2 January 2028, assuming a standard Monday-to-Friday work week.
For employers: Christmas shutdowns, annual leave directions and public holiday pay can depend on awards, enterprise agreements and employment contracts. Review the relevant workplace rules before finalising rosters.
How to choose the best strategy
For workers
Prioritise breaks that match your available leave balance:
- Use one-day bridges for Australia Day or Anzac Day.
- Use four-day blocks around Easter or Monday holidays.
- Reserve five or eight days for the Christmas period.
- Keep several leave days uncommitted for personal needs or unexpected changes.
For families
Compare public holidays with school holidays before booking. Easter and Christmas usually provide the most usable family time, but they also attract peak prices.
For business owners and managers
Ask staff to submit preferred dates early. Use a shared roster or leave calendar. Check substitute holiday dates separately for each state, territory and regional area.
Planning checklist
- Check your current annual leave balance.
- Confirm whether your workplace follows a Monday-to-Friday roster.
- Verify state, territory and regional public holidays.
- Submit leave requests before popular periods fill.
- Check school holiday dates if travelling with children.
- Book accommodation before Easter and Christmas demand increases.
- Confirm public holiday penalty rates and workplace entitlements.
- Recheck dates before booking non-refundable travel.
For further planning, compare the Queensland long weekends in 2027 and the Australian national public holidays 2027 guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Australian public holiday for annual leave in 2027?
Easter provides one of the best returns. Four days of annual leave from 22 to 25 March can create ten consecutive days off.
How can one day of annual leave create four days off?
Australia Day falls on Tuesday 26 January 2027. Taking Monday 25 January connects the weekend with the public holiday.
Is Monday 26 April 2027 a public holiday for Anzac Day?
Anzac Day falls on Sunday 25 April. Monday 26 April is observed in many jurisdictions, but workers should confirm the rule for their state or territory.
How many days off can Christmas create in 2027?
Taking 20 to 24 December as annual leave can create eleven consecutive days off, from 18 to 28 December, when the substitute holidays are included.
Do all states have the same public holidays?
No. State and territory calendars include different Labour Day, King’s Birthday and regional holidays. Queensland also has regional show holidays, and Victoria has Melbourne Cup Day.
Can an employer refuse annual leave?
An employer may refuse a request in some circumstances, including where the refusal is based on reasonable business grounds. Check your employment arrangement and seek guidance from Fair Work if necessary.
Where can the dates be checked?
Use the relevant state or territory government calendar, the Fair Work public holiday list and the detailed state guides on Australian Public Holidays. Dates should be confirmed before travel or roster commitments are finalised.
