Paid annual leave and public holidays in South Australia (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.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum paid leave a year (weeks)Full-time employee; South Australian private-sector employees (national system) | 4 weeks [1] |
| Minimum paid leave as the law states itFull-time employee; South Australian 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; South Australian private-sector employees (national system) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Public holidays and annual leaveFull-time employee; South Australian private-sector employees (national system) | Not counted as leave days [3] |
Notes
- The national system covers South Australian private-enterprise employees. State public sector and local government employees are outside it and 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
- Fair Work Commission: National Employment Standards | Fair Work Commission (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Annual leave - Fair Work Ombudsman (Internet Archive snapshot of 13 October 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- 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 South Australia
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; usually an expiation notice (fine) · Growing at home: Banned; small numbers expiable
- 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, since 1977 · 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): Prescribed drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC detected
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (general use only)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes for short-term visitors · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent resident: SA licence within 90 days
- Home educationLegal status of home education: Approval (exemption) needed · Nature of the parental duty: School attendance
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence under s 21E (details not read)
- MopedsLicence: Any SA 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: Mounted, or used without touching; L/P1: 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
- 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%
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.