NSW adds extra public holiday in 2026: What you need to know
NSW workers will get an extra long weekend in 2026 as the state adopts a substitute public holiday for ANZAC Day.
At a glance
- NSW will introduce a substitute ANZAC Day holiday in 2026.
- WA and the ACT already offer this, but Queensland and Victoria will not.
- The change allows NSW workers to turn 14 days of leave into a 25-day break in April.
- Workers can also turn seven days of leave into a 16-day Christmas-New Year break.
- NSW workers will also receive the extra public holiday in 2027.
Millions of workers in New South Wales will get an extra day off in 2026, after Premier Chris Minns confirmed the state will introduce a substitute public holiday when Anzac Day falls on a weekend.
In 2026, Anzac Day will fall on Saturday, April 25.
Under current NSW rules, that would not normally trigger a weekday public holiday. But the state government has now confirmed workers will get Monday, April 27 off instead.
"Anzac Day on April 25 is one of the most important and solemn days on our national calendar," Minns said. "Adding a public holiday when Anzac Day falls on a weekend will not diminish that tradition."
The change brings NSW into line with Western Australia and the ACT, which already provide a substitute weekday public holiday when Anzac Day falls on a weekend.
Other states are holding firm.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has rejected calls to follow suit, while Victoria told local media there are "no current plans" to change its arrangements, though it remains open to feedback.
Which state gets the most public holidays?
Public holiday entitlements vary significantly depending on where you live, and that can make a meaningful difference to how much time off you can turn into extended breaks.
In 2026, states with substitute holidays and additional local observances tend to come out ahead.
Local holidays such as Melbourne Cup Day in Victoria or regional show days elsewhere can increase the total further depending on where you work.
While the difference of one or two days may seem small, it can translate into significantly longer total breaks when combined with annual leave strategically.
How to hack your annual leave in 2026
Easter and ANZAC Day annual leave hack (2026)
Public holidays: Good Friday (April 3), Easter Monday (April 6), Anzac Day (Saturday, April 25 - observed Monday, April 27)
Potential break: 25 days off (Friday, 3 April - Monday, 27 April)
Annual leave needed: 14 days (April 7-10, 13-17, and 20-24)
Public holidays act as anchors that allow you to create long breaks using fewer annual leave days.
With the newly announced NSW Anzac Day substitute holiday falling on Monday, April 27, some Australian workers can create a nine-day break by taking just four days of annual leave.
However, if you've got the leave, the news also means you could take off nearly the whole of April.
Of course, this is only for the states recognising the public holiday (WA, ACT, and NSW).
Christmas and New Year's annual leave hack (2026-2027)
Public holidays: Christmas Day (Friday, 25 December), Boxing Day (Monday, 28 December), New Year's Day (Friday, 1 January, 2027)
Potential break: 16 days off (Saturday, 19 December - Sunday, 3 January)
Annual leave needed: 7 days (21-24, and 29-31 December)
End the year on a high note. With just seven days of annual leave, you can unlock another 16-day break to wrap up 2026 and roll smoothly into the new year.
It's ideal for families, summer travellers, or anyone keen to escape the heat with one last beach trip before reality returns in January.
This one's unbeatable for stretching your leave; and if you lock it in early, you'll avoid the office leave lottery.
Five FAQs about annual leave in Australia
1. Can employers force employees to take annual leave?
In short, yes. There are a couple of situations in which an employer can compel a worker to take annual leave, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman, such as during a shutdown (e.g. over the Christmas break) or if someone has accumulated excess leave.
The latter will be determined by the particular award someone is on, but as one example, a plumber covered by the plumbing award could be told to take annual leave if they have eight weeks or more accrued.
2. Will you keep accruing annual leave while you're on annual leave?
Yes. You could be sitting in a café in Florence using annual leave and still be (slowly) building up your annual leave balance while you're away. It also continues to accrue while you're on sick or carers leave, long service leave or even when you're on certain kinds of unpaid leave (such as jury duty).
3. Can you use sick leave for a mental health day?
You can certainly take a day off (or more) for your mental health, but unless your employer offers dedicated mental health days, it will generally need to be taken as sick leave or personal leave.
4. Can sick leave be taken while on annual leave?
It's not a situation anyone will want to find themselves in but imagine travelling overseas for a much-needed holiday only to be struck down with the flu.
Burning through your precious annual leave while you're cooped up in bed doesn't sound much fun, so the good news is that it's possible to use your sick leave instead of your annual leave in that situation.
5. Can you take leave without pay or leave at half pay?
It is possible, but taking leave at half pay or without pay may come down to an employers' discretion or the award someone is on. For example, the Fair Work Ombudsman says that some awards do allow employees to take leave at half pay.
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