Monday, 9 June 2025 – The King’s Birthday public holiday will be observed on the second Monday in June across most Australian states and territories, creating a long weekend for millions of Australians. In all States except WA and QLD.
Monday, 29 September 2025 in Western Australia:
Monday, 6 October 2025 in Queensland
Mark your calendars for the next six years of King’s Birthday public holidays:
| Year | Date | Day | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 Jun | Mon | National except QLD & WA |
| 29 Sep | Mon | WA | |
| 6 Oct | Mon | QLD | |
| 2026 | 8 Jun | Mon | National except QLD & WA |
| 28 Sep | Mon | WA | |
| 5 Oct | Mon | QLD | |
| 2027 | 14 Jun | Mon | National except QLD & WA |
| 27 Sep | Mon | WA | |
| 4 Oct | Mon | QLD | |
| 2028 | 12 Jun | Mon | National except QLD & WA |
| 29 Sep | Mon | WA | |
| 2 Oct | Mon | QLD | |
| 2029 | 11 Jun | Mon | National except QLD & WA |
| 24 Sep | Mon | WA | |
| 1 Oct | Mon | QLD | |
| 2030 | 10 Jun | Mon | National except QLD & WA |
| 30 Sep | Mon | WA | |
| 7 Oct | Mon | QLD |
Note: These dates apply to most states and territories. See state-specific information below for exceptions.
While most of Australia celebrates the King’s Birthday on the second Monday in June, there are important regional differences:
The King’s Birthday public holiday has a rich history in Australia:
The holiday was known as the Queen’s Birthday for over 70 years during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Following the accession of King Charles III in September 2022, Australia officially transitioned to celebrating the King’s Birthday from 2023 onwards.
King Charles III was born on 14 November 1948, but like many monarchs before him, his official birthday is celebrated on a different date. This tradition allows for better weather conditions during public celebrations and maintains the established pattern of creating long weekends for public holidays.
For historical reference, here are the recent Queen’s/King’s Birthday dates:
The King’s Birthday creates a three-day long weekend in most of Australia, making it perfect for:
Under the Fair Work Act, employees are generally entitled to:
Some services continue to operate with modified schedules:
The King’s Birthday long weekend contributes significantly to Australia’s economy:
While the King’s Birthday is primarily seen as a long weekend opportunity, it also serves as:
Many communities organise special events:
No, because it falls on the second Monday in June (in most states), the date changes each year. It can range from June 8 to June 14.
No, Western Australia and Queensland celebrate on different dates later in the year.
You’ll need to check the specific dates for each state you’re visiting, as they may differ.
This varies by state and the type of business. Essential services typically remain open with skeleton staff.
Most employees who work on the King’s Birthday are entitled to penalty rates under the Fair Work Act, but this can vary by award or agreement.
The King’s Birthday is part of Australia’s calendar of national and state public holidays:
The King’s Birthday remains one of Australia’s most anticipated public holidays, providing a welcome mid-year break and boosting domestic tourism. Whether you’re planning a winter escape, organizing a family gathering, or simply enjoying a well-deserved rest, this long weekend offers something for everyone.
Remember to check your specific state’s date if you’re in Western Australia or Queensland, and plan ahead for what promises to be another popular long weekend across the nation.
Last updated: August 2025. Information is subject to change based on government proclamations. Always verify current dates with official government sources.
In Western Australia, the governor proclaims the holiday either at the end of September or the beginning of October each year because the June public holiday slot is given to Western Australia Day (formerly Foundation Day). In South Australia, the King’s Birthday holiday is also called Volunteers’ Day.
King Charles III is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. He was born on 14 November 1948, but his birthday is celebrated on a separate date. In Britain, the monarch’s birthday has been celebrated since 1748 and, in Australia, every year since the First Fleet arrived in 1788. The birthday was always celebrated on the actual date of the monarch’s birthday until 1936, the year of the death of King George V, Elizabeth’s grandfather. His birthday was 3 June and the date has since stayed around early June.
The following is a newspaper article from the Sydney Morning Herald, 26 May 1937 that records the change:
The Premier (Mr. Stevens) said last night that the celebration of King’s Birthday, including levees, flying of flags, etc., would take place this year on June 9, which would be known as King’s Day…
… The Acting Prime Minister (Dr. Page) announced… that Wednesday, June 9, had been fixed for the official celebration of his Majesty’s birthday in the United Kingdom this year, and that this day would be observed in Australia for celebrations usually associated with the King’s birthday. It had been arranged to fly flags on Commonwealth Government buildings throughout Australia onJune 9, and it was hoped that the general public would follow the same practice.
Honour’s Lists are proclaimed twice a year in Australia. The Australia Day list is on 26 January. The King’s Birthday Honour’s List is proclaimed on the June date each year. The Honour’s List includes people who have received the Order of Australia and other special honours including the Conspicuous Service Cross, Conspicuous Service Medal, the Public Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Medal for Gallantry and, amongst others, commendations for Gallantry and Distinguished Service.
The Royal Military Academy at Duntroon holds the King’s Birthday Parade including the Trooping of the King’s Colour. The Trooping of Colour in Australia has its’ origins in the same ceremony held in the United Kingdom.
Football also features on the King’s Birthday. Since it’s first season in 1897, the Victorian Football League (now the Australian Football League – AFL) has always played football on the holiday. Since 2001, the AFL has scheduled its fixtures to only allow Collingwood to play Melbourne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the Monday. It is a big event that can trace the two teams playing on this date back to 1958 when just under 100,000 people attended the game.
The King’s Birthday long weekend is also the official start of the snow season in the high country regions of New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 Jun | Mon | King’s Birthday | National except QLD & WA |
| 25 Sep | Mon | King’s Birthday | WA | |
| 2 Oct | Mon | King’s Birthday | QLD | |
| 2022 | 13 Jun | Mon | Queen’s Birthday | National except QLD & WA |
| 26 Sep | Mon | King’s Birthday | WA | |
| 3 Oct | Mon | Queen’s Birthday | QLD |