Paid annual leave and public holidays in Queensland (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 employee; Queensland private-sector employees (national system)4 weeks [1]
Minimum paid leave as the law states itFull-time employee; Queensland private-sector employees (national 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 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; Queensland private-sector employees (national system)12 days [3]
Public holidays and annual leaveFull-time employee; Queensland private-sector employees (national system)Not counted as leave days [4]

Notes

  • The national system covers Queensland private-enterprise employees. State public sector and local government employees are outside it and were not read.
  • Counted from the official 2026 list, which includes the day after Good Friday, Easter Sunday and the extra Boxing Day holiday on Monday 28 December. The Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane area only), other local show holidays and Christmas Eve (6 pm to midnight) are not counted. The number changes from year to year.
  • 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. Queensland Government: Public holidays - qld.gov.au (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources
  4. 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 Queensland

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 60 km/h · Minimum age: 16 (12-17 if supervised)
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence · Growing at home: Banned
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h (110 km/h where signed)
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container refund scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (P1 licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Zero tolerance · THC threshold: Any trace of THC
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules plus age and licence · Minimum age: 16 (12-17 if supervised)
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while visiting · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or resident visa: Queensland licence after 3 months
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Registration required · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without reasonable excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Some one-hand opening knives category M
  • MopedsLicence: Class RE or car licence
  • 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: Open/P2 only; L/P1 under 25: none
  • 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 · Minimum alarms and where: A smoke alarm in each bedroom. For each storey with bedrooms: in the hallway that a bedroom door opens onto (or, if a bedroom has no door to a hallway, in the part of the storey between that bedroom and the rest of the dwelling). For a storey with no bedrooms: on the most likely path of travel to an exit. All alarms must be interconnected.
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
  • Towing trailers and caravans
  • 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: Under 0.05% · 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.