Paid annual leave and public holidays in Australia (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: Employees in the national system (except casuals) get 4 weeks of paid annual leave a year, plus an extra week for certain shiftworkers. Each state and territory sets its own public holidays, so there is no national count. A public holiday that falls during paid annual leave is not counted as annual leave.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum paid leave a year (weeks)Full-time employee; Employees in the national workplace relations system | 4 weeks [1] |
| Minimum paid leave as the law states itFull-time employee; Employees in the national workplace relations system | Full-time and part-time employees get 4 weeks of paid annual leave a year, based on their ordinary hours of work. Shiftworkers get more than 4 weeks (an extra week) if their award or enterprise agreement includes shiftwork provisions and defines shiftworkers as employees who receive the additional week under the National Employment Standards. Casual employees do not get paid annual leave. Leave accumulates from the first day of employment. [2] |
| National public holidays a yearFull-time employee; Employees in the national workplace relations system | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Public holidays and annual leaveFull-time employee; Employees in the national workplace relations system | Not counted as leave days [3] |
Notes
- Under the National Employment Standards (Fair Work Act 2009 Part 2-2). An award, enterprise agreement or contract can give more, not less. State and territory laws may also apply to some employees.
- Each state and territory sets its own public holidays, and some add or substitute days or have regional holidays, so the number differs by state and territory and by year. No national count is stated.
- The Fair Work Ombudsman states this may not apply to leave granted above the minimum National Employment Standards entitlement; an award or agreement may provide otherwise.
Sources
- Fair Work Commission: National Employment Standards (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Annual leave (Internet Archive snapshot of 13 October 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Not working on public holidays (Internet Archive snapshot of 11 April 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
Australia: rules by state or province
| Country | Minimum paid leave a year (weeks) | Minimum paid leave as the law states it | National public holidays a year | Public holidays and annual leave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Full-time employee, NSW private sector (national system): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) | Full-time employee, NSW private sector (national system): 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers | Full-time employee, NSW private sector (national system): 12 (2026) | Full-time employee, NSW private sector (national system): Not counted as leave |
| Victoria | 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) | 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers | 14 (2026) | Not counted as leave |
| Queensland | Full-time employee, Qld private sector (national system): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) | Full-time employee, Qld private sector (national system): 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers | Full-time employee, Qld private sector (national system): 12 (2026) | Full-time employee, Qld private sector (national system): Not counted as leave |
| Western Australia | Full-time employee, WA companies (national system): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) Full-time employee, WA state system: 4 weeks | Full-time employee, WA companies (national system): 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers Full-time employee, WA state system: 4 weeks, up to 152 hours | Full-time employee, WA companies (national system): 13 (2026) Full-time employee, WA state system: 13 (2026) | Full-time employee, WA companies (national system): Not counted as leave Full-time employee, WA state system: Not counted as leave |
| South Australia | Full-time employee, SA private sector (national system): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) | Full-time employee, SA private sector (national system): 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers | Full-time employee, SA private sector (national system): ⚠ Not yet verified | Full-time employee, SA private sector (national system): Not counted as leave |
| Tasmania | Full-time employee, Tas. private sector (national system): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) | Full-time employee, Tas. private sector (national system): 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers | Full-time employee, Tas. private sector (national system): ⚠ Not yet verified | Full-time employee, Tas. private sector (national system): Not counted as leave |
| Australian Capital Territory | 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) | 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers | 14 (2026) | Not counted as leave |
| Northern Territory | 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) | 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers | ⚠ Not yet verified | Not counted as leave |
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.