Key points
- Residents across four states and territories are enjoying a long weekend.
- Finder says some careful forward planning allows you to turn 20 days of annual leave into up to 62 days, depending on where you live.
- Where Anzac Day and Christmas falls this year is ideal for those seeking to apply some clever extension tricks to their holidays.
While many Australians enjoy a dreamy long weekend, those who were clever enough to plan ahead may relish an even longer break.
Residents of Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory are all blessed with a public holiday this Monday.
Victorians and Tasmanians are marking the achievements of the labour union movement with Labour Day, which was celebrated in Western Australia last weekend.
South Australians are celebrating the Adelaide Cup, the second-oldest horse race in Australia after the .
Meanwhile, those in the ACT are paying tribute to their city with some well-earned R&R, after Lady Denman, the wife of the then Governor-General Lord Denmanm, named Canberra at a ceremony on 12 March 1913.
Canberra Day is also marked in the picturesque , three hours south of Sydney, which was established in 1915 to give the ACT access to the sea.
But those who are savvy can turn their 20 days of standard annual leave (the legal requirement for full-time workers) into at least 56 days of with careful planning, depending on which state or territory you live in, says Angus Kidman, editor-in-chief at financial comparison site Finder.
And lucky residents of the ACT and NT, who have the most public holidays, can enjoy up to 62 days of leave.
"A little planning means you can suddenly have multiple days off in a row instead of just three, which feels like you're properly getting time off.
"For the first two days, you're recovering from being at work and then if you've only got another couple of days off, you don't really get to sink into it. It's definitely worth hacking those annual leave days where you can," Kidman explains.
We often feel better after multiple days off rather than just a long weekend.
The joy of a bigger break
Taking time off allows you to reap huge rewards both personally and professionally, adds SEEK.
"Annual leave allows you to take a proper break from work and return feeling refreshed. It can also give you time and space to think about new directions for your career or new ways of doing things.
"In fact, 76 per cent of Aussies agree that taking annual holidays helps them be more productive in the workplace."
Kidman says where and Christmas Day fall on the calendar this year gives Australians plenty of opportunity to use some "clever extension tricks".
"Anzac Day falls on a Thursday. So if you take off the week around that, you can get nine days in a row, but you've only had to take four days off."
"And because of Christmas and Boxing Day fall on a Wednesday and Thursday this year, you can get a long run of days between Christmas and New Year.
"Start planning for that now because travel around that time won't get any cheaper – plus your colleagues are probably going to want time off then too."
Your annual leave requirement depends on which state and territory you live in. Here are the days you should book in each state to get the most time off over the months ahead.
New South Wales
NSW enjoys nine public holidays this year but Kidman says workers can actually turn them into 56 days off with careful planning.
- New Year's Day - Wednesday, 1 January
- Australia Day - Sunday, 26 January
- Good Friday - Friday, 29 March
- Easter Monday - Monday, 1 April
- Anzac Day - Thursday, 25 April
- King's Birthday - Monday, 10 June
- Labour Day - Monday, 7 October
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day - Wednesday, 25 December and Thursday, 26 December
NSW residents will enjoy nine public holidays in 2024, fewer than most other states and territories. Source: Getty / David Min
Book Monday 25 March, Tuesday 26 March, Wednesday 27 March, Thursday 28 March, Tuesday 2 April, Wednesday 3 April, Thursday 4 April and Friday 5 April.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around Anzac Day:
Book Monday 22 April, Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Friday 26 April.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around the King's Birthday:
Book Tuesday 11 June, Wednesday 12 June, Thursday 13 June and Friday 14 June.
To use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break around Labour Day:
Book Tuesday 8 October, Wednesday 9 October, Thursday 10 October and Friday 11 October.
To use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break over Christmas and New Year:
Book Monday 23 December, Tuesday 24 December, Friday 27 December, Monday 30 December and Tuesday 31 December.
It's definitely worth hacking those annual leave days where you can.Angus Kidman, Finder
Victoria
Victorians enjoy a more generous 11 public holidays in 2024, but they can actually turn them into 58 days off, Kidman says.
- New Year's Day - Wednesday, 1 January
- Australia Day - Sunday, 26 January
- Labour Day - Monday, 11 March
- Good Friday - Friday, 29 March
- Easter Monday - Monday, 1 April
- Anzac Day - Thursday, 25 April
- King's Birthday - Monday, 10 June
- AFL Grand Final - Friday, 27 September
- Melbourne Cup - Tuesday, 5 November
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day - Wednesday, 25 December and Thursday, 26 December.
To use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break over Easter:
Book Monday 25 March, Tuesday 26 March, Wednesday 27 March, Thursday 28 March, Tuesday 2 April, Wednesday 3 April, Thursday 4 April and Friday 5 April.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around Anzac Day:
Book Monday 22 April, Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Friday 26 April.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around the King's Birthday:
Book Tuesday 11 June, Wednesday 12 June, Thursday 13 June and Friday 14 June.
To use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break around AFL Grand Final day:
Book Monday 23 September, Tuesday 24 September, Wednesday 25 September and Thursday 26 September.
To use one day of annual leave for a four-day break around Melbourne Cup day:
Book Monday 4 November.
Spectators line the public lawn ahead of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. Source: AAP / James Ross
Book Monday 23 December, Tuesday 24 December, Friday 27 December, Monday 30 December and Tuesday 31 December.
Queensland
Queenslanders have nine public holidays this year (or 10 if they live in Brisbane). But this can translate to 56 (or 57) days off, Kidman says.
- New Year's Day - Wednesday, 1 January
- Australia Day - Sunday, 26 January
- Good Friday - Friday, 29 March
- Easter Monday - Monday, 1 April
- Anzac Day - Thursday, 25 April
- Labour Day - Monday, 6 May
- Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane area only) - Wednesday, 14 August
- King's Birthday - Monday, 7 October
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day - Wednesday 25 December and Thursday 26 December.
Aerial view of heart-shaped Heart Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef of the Whitsundays in the Coral sea, Queensland, Australia Source: Getty
Book Monday 25 March, Tuesday 26 March, Wednesday 27 March, Thursday 28 March, Tuesday 2 April, Wednesday 3 April, Thursday 4 April and Friday 5 April.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around Anzac Day:
Book Monday 22 April, Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Friday 26 April.
To use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break around Labour Day:
Book Tuesday 7 May 7, Wednesday 8 May 8, Thursday 9 May 9 and Friday 10 May.
To use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break during the Royal Queensland Show (if you work or live around Brisbane):
Book Monday 12 August, Tuesday 13 August, Thursday 15 August 15, Friday 16 August.
To use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break around the King's Birthday:
Book Tuesday 8 October, Wednesday 9 October, Thursday 10 October and Friday 11 October.
To use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break over Christmas and New Year:
Book Monday 23 December, Tuesday 24 December, Friday 27 December, Monday 30 December and Tuesday 31 December.
Western Australia
There are 10 official public holidays in Western Australia this year, but these can be turned into 59 days off.
- New Year's Day - Wednesday, 1 January
- Australia Day - Sunday, 26 January
- Labour Day - Monday, 4 March
- Good Friday - Friday, 29 March
- Easter Monday - Monday, 1 April
- Anzac Day - Thursday, 25 April
- Western Australia Day - Monday, 3 June
- King's Birthday - Monday, 23 September (though some regional areas in WA hold the King's Birthday public holiday on a different date)
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day - Wednesday, 25 December and Thursday, 26 December.
To use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break over Easter:
Book Monday 25 March, Tuesday 26 March, Wednesday 27 March, Thursday 28 March, Tuesday 2 April, Wednesday 3 April, Thursday 4 April and Friday 5 April.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around Anzac Day:
Book Monday 22 April, Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Friday 26 April.
To use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break around Western Australia Day:
Book Tuesday 4 June, Wednesday 5 June, Thursday 6 June and Friday 7 June.
Those who live over west get to celebrate Western Australia Day in June. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Book Tuesday 26 September, Wednesday 27 September, Thursday 28 October and Friday 29 September.
To use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break over Christmas and New Year:
Book Monday 23 December, Tuesday 24 December, Friday 27 December, Monday 30 December and Tuesday 31 December.
South Australia
South Australians gain 10 public holidays, including their Adelaide Cup exclusive, which can be turned into 59 days.
- New Year's Day - Wednesday, 1 January
- Australia Day - Sunday, 26 January
- Adelaide Cup Day - Monday, 11 March
- Good Friday - Friday, 29 March
- Easter Monday - Monday, 1 April
- Anzac Day - Thursday, 25 April
- King's Birthday- Monday, 10 June
- Labour Day - Monday, 7 October
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day - Wednesday, 25 December and Thursday, 26 December.
To use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break over Easter:
Book Monday 25 March, Tuesday 26 March, Wednesday 27 March, Thursday 28 March, Tuesday 2 April, Wednesday 3 April, Thursday 4 April and Friday 5 April.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around Anzac Day:
Book Monday 22 April, Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Friday 26 April.
Kangaroo Island is one of South Australia's top tourism destinations. Source: Getty / Education Images/Universal Images Group
Book Tuesday 11 June, Wednesday 12 June, Thursday 13 June and Friday 14 June.
To use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break around Labour Day:
Book Tuesday 8 October, Wednesday 9 October, Thursday 10 October and Friday 11 October.
To use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break over Christmas and New Year:
Book Monday 23 December, Tuesday 24 December, Friday 27 December, Monday 30 December and Tuesday 31 December.
Tasmania
There are 10 official public holidays in Tasmania this year, which can be turned into 59 days' holiday.
- New Year's Day - Wednesday, 1 January
- Australia Day - Sunday, 26 January
- Royal Hobart Regatta (observed in some parts of the state) - Monday, 12 February
- Labour Day - Monday, 11 March
- Good Friday - Friday, 29 March
- Easter Monday - Monday, 1 April
- Anzac Day - Thursday, 25 April
- King's Birthday - Monday, 10 June
- Recreation Day (areas of the state that don’t observe Royal Hobart Regatta) - Monday, 4 November
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day - Wednesday, 25 December and Thursday, 26 December.
To use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break over Easter:
Book Monday 25 March, Tuesday 26 March, Wednesday 27 March, Thursday 28 March, Tuesday 2 April, Wednesday 3 April, Thursday 4 April and Friday 5 April.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around Anzac Day:
Book Monday 22 April, Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Friday 26 April.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around the King's Birthday:
Book Tuesday 11 June, Wednesday 12 June, Thursday 13 June and Friday 14 June.
To use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break over Christmas and New Year:
Book Monday 23 December, Tuesday 24 December, Friday 27 December, Monday 30 December and Tuesday 31 December.
Wineglass Bay in Tasmania often features in lists of the world's best beaches.
The lucky residents of the ACT get more time off than anyone else, with 11 public holidays, which can actually be turned into an impressive 62 days off with forward planning, Kidman says.
- New Year's Day - Wednesday, 1 January
- Australia Day - Sunday, 26 January
- Canberra Day - Monday, 11 March
- Good Friday - Friday, 29 March
- Easter Monday - Monday, 1 April
- Anzac Day - Thursday, 25 April
- Reconciliation Day - Monday, 27 May
- King's Birthday - Monday, 10 June
- Labour Day - Monday, 7 October
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day - Wednesday, 25 December and Thursday, 26 December.
Canberra is a popular mini-break destination for Australians. Source: AAP
Book Monday 25 March, Tuesday 26 March, Wednesday 27 March, Thursday 28 March, Tuesday 2 April, Wednesday 3 April, Thursday 4 April and Friday 5 April.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around Anzac Day:
Book Monday 22 April, Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Friday 26 April.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around Reconciliation Day:
Book Tuesday 28 May, Wednesday 29 May, Thursday 30 May, Friday 31 May.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around the King's Birthday:
Book Tuesday 11 June, Wednesday 12 June, Thursday 13 June and Friday 14 June.
To use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break around Labour Day:
Book Tuesday 8 October, Wednesday 9 October, Thursday 10 October and Friday 11 October.
To use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break over Christmas and New Year:
Book Monday 23 December, Tuesday 24 December, Friday 27 December, Monday 30 December and Tuesday 31 December.
Northern Territory
Northern Territorians are also lucky enough to score 11 public holidays this year, including the endearingly named Picnic Day, which forms part of a long weekend for various events, such as the Harts Range annual races. Like for those in the ACT, this can also be turned into 63 days off, Kidman says.
- New Year's Day - Wednesday, 1 January
- Australia Day - Sunday, 26 January
- Good Friday - Friday, 29 March
- Easter Monday - Monday, 1 April
- Anzac Day - Thursday, 25 April
- May Day - Monday, 6 May
- King's Birthday - Monday, 10 June
- Picnic Day - Monday, 5 August
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day - Wednesday, 25 December and Thursday, 26 December
To use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break over Easter:
Book Monday 25 March, Tuesday 26 March, Wednesday 27 March, Thursday 28 March, Tuesday 2 April, Wednesday 3 April, Thursday 4 April and Friday 5 April.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around Anzac Day:
Book Monday 22 April, Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Friday 26 April.
Residents of the Northern Territory enjoy more public holidays than most other parts of the country. Source: AAP / Caroline Riches
Book Tuesday 7 May, Wednesday 8 May, Thursday 9 May and Friday 10 May.
To use four days of leave for a nine-day break around the King's Birthday:
Book Tuesday 11 June, Wednesday 12 June, Thursday 13 June and Friday 14 June.
To use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break around Picnic Day:
Book Tuesday 6 August, Wednesday 7 August, Thursday 8 August and Friday 9 August.
To use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break over Christmas and New Year:
Book Monday 23 December, Tuesday 24 December, Friday 27 December, Monday 30 December and Tuesday 31 December.
