Planning your year ahead is always easier when you know your public holidays in advance. Australia, divided into its diverse states and territories, has a complex schedule of public holidays with some nationwide days and others unique to specific areas. If you’re wondering how to make the most of your time off in 2025, this comprehensive guide outlines the public holidays across every Australian state and territory, making planning your vacations or simply enjoying well-deserved breaks more convenient than ever.
Understanding Public Holidays in Australia
Public holidays are days that have been formally established under each state’s legislation, meaning businesses, schools, and government offices typically close. While some public holidays are recognized nationwide, others are specific to individual states. For instance, holidays like Australia Day and ANZAC Day are observed across the country, but days like Melbourne Cup Day or Western Australia Day are localized.
Notably, when a public holiday falls on a weekend, many states designate an alternate day off as a replacement, often referred to as a “substitute” holiday. The following details will provide a breakdown of the 2025 public holidays for each state.
Public Holidays in 2025, By State
1. New South Wales (NSW)
New South Wales, home to Sydney, generally observes the nationally recognized holidays along with some specific to the state. Here are the public holidays you can expect in 2025:
- 1 January (Wednesday): New Year’s Day
- 27 January (Monday): Australia Day (observed)
- 25 March (Tuesday): Good Friday
- 28 March (Monday): Easter Monday
- 25 April (Friday): ANZAC Day
- 10 June (Monday): Queen’s Birthday
- 7 October (Monday): Labour Day
- 25 December (Thursday): Christmas Day
- 26 December (Friday): Boxing Day
Note that the Queen’s Birthday is celebrated on a different date in Western Australia and Queensland.
2. Victoria (VIC)
The state of Victoria, known for its exciting sporting events and cultural activities, enjoys a generous number of public holidays:
- 1 January (Wednesday): New Year’s Day
- 27 January (Monday): Australia Day (observed)
- 25 March (Tuesday): Good Friday
- 28 March (Monday): Easter Monday
- 25 April (Friday): ANZAC Day
- 10 June (Monday): Queen’s Birthday
- 4 November (Tuesday): Melbourne Cup Day (statewide)
- 25 December (Thursday): Christmas Day
- 26 December (Friday): Boxing Day
3. Queensland (QLD)
In Queensland, some public holidays differ from those in other states:
- 1 January (Wednesday): New Year’s Day
- 27 January (Monday): Australia Day (observed)
- 25 March (Tuesday): Good Friday
- 28 March (Monday): Easter Monday
- 25 April (Friday): ANZAC Day
- 6 May (Monday): Labour Day
- 7 October (Monday): Queen’s Birthday
- 25 December (Thursday): Christmas Day
- 26 December (Friday): Boxing Day
4. Western Australia (WA)
Western Australia, with its unique calendar of public holidays, differs notably from its eastern counterparts:
- 1 January (Wednesday): New Year’s Day
- 27 January (Monday): Australia Day (observed)
- 2 March (Monday): Labour Day
- 25 March (Tuesday): Good Friday
- 28 March (Monday): Easter Monday
- 3 June (Monday): Western Australia Day
- 30 September (Monday): Queen’s Birthday
- 25 December (Thursday): Christmas Day
- 26 December (Friday): Boxing Day
5. South Australia (SA)
Here are the public holidays for South Australia in 2025:
- 1 January (Wednesday): New Year’s Day
- 27 January (Monday): Australia Day (observed)
- 25 March (Tuesday): Good Friday
- 28 March (Monday): Easter Monday
- 25 April (Friday): ANZAC Day
- 10 June (Monday): Queen’s Birthday
- 6 October (Monday): Labour Day
- 25 December (Thursday): Christmas Day
- 26 December (Friday): Proclamation Day
6. Tasmania (TAS)
The island state of Tasmania observes the following public holidays:
- 1 January (Wednesday): New Year’s Day
- 27 January (Monday): Australia Day (observed)
- 25 March (Tuesday): Good Friday
- 28 March (Monday): Easter Monday
- 25 April (Friday): ANZAC Day
- 10 June (Monday): Queen’s Birthday
- 6 November (Thursday): Recreation Day (Northern Tasmania only)
- 25 December (Thursday): Christmas Day
- 26 December (Friday): Boxing Day
7. Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
In the ACT, Canberra residents follow this list of public holidays:
- 1 January (Wednesday): New Year’s Day
- 27 January (Monday): Australia Day (observed)
- 10 March (Monday): Canberra Day
- 25 March (Tuesday): Good Friday
- 28 March (Monday): Easter Monday
- 25 April (Friday): ANZAC Day
- 10 June (Monday): Queen’s Birthday
- 7 October (Monday): Labour Day
- 25 December (Thursday): Christmas Day
- 26 December (Friday): Boxing Day
8. Northern Territory (NT)
The sparsely populated Northern Territory offers this public holiday calendar in 2025:
- 1 January (Wednesday): New Year’s Day
- 27 January (Monday): Australia Day (observed)
- 25 March (Tuesday): Good Friday
- 28 March (Monday): Easter Monday
- 25 April (Friday): ANZAC Day
- 3 June (Monday): Queen’s Birthday
