Paid annual leave and public holidays in Northern Territory (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: Employees in the national system get 4 weeks of paid annual leave a year, with an extra week for some shiftworkers. A public holiday that falls during annual leave is not counted as leave. The number of public holidays is not given here.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum paid leave a year (weeks)Full-time employee4 weeks [1]
Minimum paid leave as the law states itFull-time employeeFull-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 if their award or enterprise agreement provides the extra week under the National Employment Standards. Casual employees do not get paid annual leave. [2]
National public holidays a yearFull-time employee⚠ Not yet verified
Public holidays and annual leaveFull-time employeeNot counted as leave days [3]

Notes

  • The FWC coverage table lists all Northern Territory employees in the national system except members of the Police Force, who were not read.
  • The number of public holidays is set by each state or territory and changes by year, with weekend substitution, regional and part-day holidays. The Fair Work Ombudsman lists 2026 dates by jurisdiction but no single count was taken.
  • This applies to the National Employment Standards minimum. It may not apply where the leave granted is above the NES minimum.

Sources

  1. Fair Work Commission: National Employment Standards | Fair Work Commission (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Fair Work Ombudsman: Annual leave - Fair Work Ombudsman (Internet Archive snapshot of 13 October 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Fair Work Ombudsman: Not working on public holidays - Fair Work Ombudsman (Internet Archive snapshot of 11 April 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Northern Territory

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Hire e-scooters only (Beam) · Minimum age: 18 (hire e-scooters)
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; up to 50 g may get an infringement notice · Growing at home: Banned; up to 2 plants may get a notice
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 60 km/h (many towns 50 km/h or less) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 110 km/h
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container deposit scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 years 6 months (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prohibited drug in body is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC detected
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes, on 1 July (Territory Day) only · Minimum age to buy: 18+
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, for up to 3 months · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Transfer within 3 months of living in the NT
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Approval needed · Nature of the parental duty: School or approval
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without lawful excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick, butterfly and sheath-concealed knives prohibited
  • MopedsMinimum age to ride: From 16 · Licence: Class R (VM: moped only)
  • Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
  • Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hand-held banned; L/P: any phone
  • Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
  • Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, all homes
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
  • Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
  • Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% (low range) · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)

Compare with the other states and provinces →

General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.