Looking for the best time to book your annual leave? Making the most of Australia’s public holidays helps you make time for an extended trip (even an overseas holiday!) or simply have more time to relax and unwind.
Here are the best hacks to maximise your holiday breaks for 2025:
Extend your Easter break to 10 days
Get 10 days off over Easter this year with just three days of leave! In addition to the standard four-day Easter weekend, the ANZAC Day public holiday falls on Friday 25 April this year. Take the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday off in between to enjoy the ultimate autumn vacay.
For a 10-day break, take annual leave:
- Tuesday 22 April
- Wednesday 23 April
- Thursday 24 April
Your holiday: Friday 18 April – Sunday 27 April
Includes public holidays:
- Good Friday (Fri 18 April)
- Easter Saturday (Sat 19 April)
- Easter Sunday (Sun 20 April)
- Easter Monday (Mon 21 April)
- ANZAC Day (Fri 25 April)
Note: If you’re in WA or TAS, note that Easter Saturday (19 April) isn’t a public holiday in these two states.
Snag 9 days off for the King's Birthday
If your state celebrates the King’s Birthday in June, you’re in luck! The King’s Birthday falls on Monday 9 June for the ACT, NSW, NT, SA, TAS and VIC. Score 9 days off with four days of leave (from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 June) or make it a four-day weekend.
For a 9-day break, take annual leave:
- Tuesday 10 June
- Wednesday 11 June
- Thursday 12 June
- Friday 13 June
Your holiday: Saturday 7 June – Sunday 15 June
For a 4-day weekend, take annual leave:
- Friday 6 June, or
- Tuesday 10 June
Unfortunately this public holiday hack doesn’t work for Queensland or Western Australia, where the King’s Birthday is celebrated later in the year.
Take a 9-day October holiday with 4 days of leave
Keen for nine days off in spring? Monday 6 October is Labour Day in ACT, NSW and SA and the King’s Birthday in Queensland. If you live in one of these states, you can book a 9-day escape with just four days of leave.
For a 9-day break, take annual leave:
- Tuesday 7 October
- Wednesday 8 October
- Thursday 9 October
- Friday 10 October
Your holiday: Saturday 4 October – Sunday 12 October (9 days)
For a 4-day weekend, take annual leave:
- Friday 3 October, or
- Tuesday 7 October
Escape for a 16-day summer holiday
Max out the summer fun this year and turn seven days of leave into a whopping 16-day break! These dates over the Christmas and New Year period are some of the most competitive annual leave days, but well worth fighting for.
For a 16-day break, take annual leave:
- Monday 22 December
- Tuesday 23 December
- Wednesday 24 December
- Monday 29 December
- Tuesday 30 December
- Wednesday 31 December
- Friday 2 January
Your holiday: Saturday 20 December 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
Note that Christmas Eve (24 December) is a partial public holiday in NT, QLD or SA. New Year’s Eve (31 December) is a partial public holiday in SA and NT.
All national public holidays for 2025
School holiday and public holiday dates (by state)
Check school term dates, holiday periods and state-specific public holidays here:
Opening image: A family enjoying the beach on Vlasoff Cay on the Great Barrier Reef with Nautilus Aviation. © Tourism and Events Queensland
