Paid annual leave and public holidays in Western 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. WA state-system employees also get 4 weeks, calculated in hours up to 152. A public holiday that falls during annual leave is not counted as leave.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum paid leave a year (weeks)Full-time employee; Western Australian employees of constitutional corporations (national system) | 4 weeks [1] |
| Minimum paid leave as the law states itFull-time employee; Western Australian employees of constitutional corporations (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; Western Australian employees of constitutional corporations (national system) | 13 days [3] |
| Public holidays and annual leaveFull-time employee; Western Australian employees of constitutional corporations (national system) | Not counted as leave days [4] |
| Minimum paid leave a year (weeks)Full-time employee; Western Australian employees in the state industrial relations system | 4 weeks [5] |
| Minimum paid leave as the law states itFull-time employee; Western Australian employees in the state industrial relations system | Full-time and part-time employees in the WA state system are entitled each year of service to paid annual leave equal to the hours they ordinarily work in a 4-week period, up to a maximum of 152 hours. Casual employees are not entitled to paid annual leave. Awards, agreements and contracts can give more. [5] |
| National public holidays a yearFull-time employee; Western Australian employees in the state industrial relations system | 13 days [3] |
| Public holidays and annual leaveFull-time employee; Western Australian employees in the state industrial relations system | Not counted as leave days [5] |
Notes
- The national system covers employees of constitutional corporations, including Pty Ltd companies. Employers that are individuals, sole traders or partnerships, local government and state public sector employees are under the state system; see the state-system rules.
- Counted from the official 2026 list, which includes the additional Anzac Day holiday on Monday 27 April and the additional Boxing Day holiday on Monday 28 December. Regional areas that move the King's Birthday holiday keep the same total. 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.
- This rule is for full-time and part-time employees in the WA state system, under the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993.
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
- Government of Western Australia: Public holidays in Western Australia | Western Australian Government (consulted 15 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
- Government of Western Australia (Private Sector Labour Relations): Annual leave | WA Government (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
More rules in Western Australia
- E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 50 km/h · Minimum age: 16
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; 10 g or less may get an intervention notice · Growing at home: Banned
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 110 km/h
- Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, Containers for Change · Deposit per container: 10c refund
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
- Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Specified drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any cannabis detected
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules, 16+ · Minimum age: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while a visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or permanent resident: transfer within 3 months
- Home educationNature of the parental duty: School or registration
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without lawful excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
- MopedsMinimum age to ride: From 15 years 6 months · Licence: Class R-N or other WA 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 not touched
- 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, on rent or hire
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.