For many Aussies, public holidays are a good excuse to take the day off work and kick back at the beach. However, some core industries continue to operate throughout the whole year.
If you work in one of these sectors, it’s important to understand when these public holidays land and the different pay and entitlements that can apply.
In this article, we’ve got the rundown on national, state and territory public holidays as well as everything you need to know about pay rates, employee entitlements and special rules for Australian public holidays.
There are 9 national public holidays in Australia in 2026. In addition to these dates, each state or territory has its own declared holidays such as regional show day holidays.
For a full breakdown of regional holidays available via NT Government
Full breakdown of regional holidays available via Queensland Government
Full breakdown of regional holidays available via WorkSafe Tasmania
Full breakdown of regional holidays available via Business Victoria
Full breakdown of regional holidays available via WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
All employees in Australia are entitled to take a day off work on a public holiday. While an employer can still request an employee to work, the employee can say no if they have a reason.
Individuals who are employed on a full-time or part-time basis and choose to take the day off on a public holiday will still be paid their minimum pay rate for the ordinary hours they would work. This does not apply to casual employees.
Some employees who choose to work on a public holiday are entitled to a higher rate than their usual minimum pay rate. This additional pay is known as penalty rates.
Penalty rates are a higher rate of pay given to an employee when they work particular days or hours.
Penalty rates are applicable in some of the following circumstances:
Public holiday pay rates vary depending on the industry award or enterprise agreement under which a worker is employed. Rates are determined based on a number of factors, including the industry, employee age, qualifications, and role responsibilities.
Use the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Calculator to find your award, base pay rate and rate you should be paid on a public holiday.
A 20+ year old mid-level waiter or waitress working full-time in the hospitality sector at a restaurant or cafe would have a base rate of AU$26.70 per hour. This translates to a public holiday rate of AU$60.08 per hour with a minimum pay of 4 hours.
Public holidays are part of the National Employment Standards (NES), which apply to all employees. This is regardless of the award type the employee is working under or any contracts or employment agreements that may be in place.
Rules and regulations around retail and restaurant trading vary from state to state.
There are some public holidays where shops can remain open and some where there are restrictions. Certain small or independent food outlets have permission to trade on public holidays, while others do not.
There are also strict rules around alcohol sales and gambling in certain states on particular public holidays.
Good Friday comes with some of the stricter rules and regulations of all of the Australian public holidays.
Regardless of the rules across different public holidays, most outlets will shut for major public holidays, including Easter and Christmas.
A public holiday might seem like a convenient time to move, especially if you’re off work and have extra time to get organised. But before locking anything in, it’s worth checking whether your building allows moves on public holidays, whether lift access needs to be booked, and whether your moving team charges public holiday rates.
If you’re planning a move over a long weekend or holiday period, Upmove makes it quick and easy to book professional removalists across Australia. That way, you can find a team that suits your timing, budget and moving needs without the last-minute scramble.
Upmove is Australia’s trusted choice for removalist and moving company services, helping thousands of customers move homes, furniture, cars, motorcycles, and more. Since 2017, we’ve been delivering reliable, affordable, and well-reviewed moving services across Australia. Our focus has always been on making moving simple and stress-free — from booking experienced removalists to completing your delivery with care. With Upmove, you get professional service, fixed prices, and peace of mind on every move.
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