Public holidays in Australia vary by state, but no matter where you live, you can turn 20 days of standard annual leave (the legal requirement for full-time workers) into at least 56 days of glorious holidays with some careful planning.
Our travel experts have done the hard work for every state and territory, working out which days you should book leave for to get the most time off.
Lucky ACT and NT residents get the most potential time off, with a possible 62 days of leave.
This list doesn't include half-days, retail holidays, bank holidays or city-specific breaks like the Ekka in Brisbane – if you score any of those, good luck and enjoy the extra leisure!
How to turn your annual leave into 56 days off in NSW
There are 9 official public holidays in NSW in 2024. To get the most consecutive days off, plan for these breaks:
Break
Start
Finish
Days
New Year's Day 2024
Sat 30 Dec 2023
Mon 1 Jan 2024
3
Australia Day
Fri 26 Jan 2024
Sun 28 Jan 2024
3
Easter
Fri 29 Mar 2024
Mon 1 Apr 2024
4
Anzac Day
Sat 20 Apr 2024
Sun 28 Apr 2024
9
King's Birthday
Sat 8 Jun 2024
Sun 16 Jun 2024
9
Bonus weekend
Sat 3 Aug 2024
Mon 5 Aug 2024
3
Labour Day
Sat 5 Oct 2024
Sun 13 Oct 2024
9
Christmas/New Year
Sat 21 Dec 2024
Sun 5 Jan 2025
16
Total
56
You could place the bonus weekend anywhere you like – I just positioned it to spread the holidays out.
To achieve this, book these dates for your annual leave:
Mon 22 Apr 2024
Tue 23 Apr 2024
Wed 24 Apr 2024
Fri 26 Apr 2024
Tue 11 Jun 2024
Wed 12 Jun 2024
Thu 13 Jun 2024
Fri 14 Jun 2024
Mon 5 Aug 2024
Tue 8 Oct 2024
Wed 9 Oct 2024
Thu 10 Oct 2024
Fri 11 Oct 2024
Mon 23 Dec 2024
Tue 24 Dec 2024
Fri 27 Dec 2024
Mon 30 Dec 2024
Tue 31 Dec 2024
Thu 2 Jan 2025
Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 58 days off in Victoria
There are 11 official public holidays in Victoria in 2024. For the most consecutive days off, aim for these breaks:
Break
Start
Finish
Days
New Year's Day 2024
Sat 30 Dec 2023
Mon 1 Jan 2024
3
Australia Day
Fri 26 Jan 2024
Sun 28 Jan 2024
3
Labour Day
Sat 9 Mar 2024
Mon 11 Mar 2024
3
Easter
Fri 29 Mar 2024
Mon 1 Apr 2024
4
Anzac Day
Sat 20 Apr 2024
Sun 28 Apr 2024
9
King's Birthday
Sat 8 Jun 2024
Sun 16 Jun 2024
9
AFL Grand Final
Fri 27 Sep 2024
Sun 6 Oct 2024
10
Melbourne Cup
Tue 5 Nov 2024
Tue 5 Nov 2024
1
Christmas/New Year
Sat 21 Dec 2024
Sun 5 Jan 2025
16
Total
58
We're maxing out leave here by taking advantage of the AFL Grand Final holiday, a Victorian exclusive.
To get this result, book these dates for your annual leave:
Mon 22 Apr 2024
Tue 23 Apr 2024
Wed 24 Apr 2024
Fri 26 Apr 2024
Tue 11 Jun 2024
Wed 12 Jun 2024
Thu 13 Jun 2024
Fri 14 Jun 2024
Mon 30 Sep 2024
Tue 1 Oct 2024
Wed 2 Oct 2024
Thu 3 Oct 2024
Fri 4 Oct 2024
Mon 23 Dec 2024
Tue 24 Dec 2024
Fri 27 Dec 2024
Mon 30 Dec 2024
Tue 31 Dec 2024
Thu 2 Jan 2025
Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 56 days off in Queensland
There are 9 official public holidays in Queensland in 2024. To get the most days off, aim for these breaks:
Break
Start
Finish
Days
New Year's Day 2024
Sat 30 Dec 2023
Mon 1 Jan 2024
3
Australia Day
Fri 26 Jan 2024
Sun 28 Jan 2024
3
Easter
Fri 29 Mar 2024
Mon 1 Apr 2024
4
Anzac Day
Sat 20 Apr 2024
Sun 28 Apr 2024
9
Labour Day
Sat 4 May 2024
Sun 12 May 2024
9
Bonus weekend
Sat 3 Aug 2024
Mon 5 Aug 2024
3
King's Birthday
Sat 5 Oct 2024
Sun 13 Oct 2024
9
Christmas/New Year
Sat 21 Dec 2024
Sun 5 Jan 2025
16
Total
56
You could place the bonus weekend I've put in August anywhere you like.
To get this result, book these dates:
Mon 22 Apr 2024
Tue 23 Apr 2024
Wed 24 Apr 2024
Fri 26 Apr 2024
Tue 7 May 2024
Wed 8 May 2024
Thu 9 May 2024
Fri 10 May 2024
Mon 5 Aug 2024
Tue 8 Oct 2024
Wed 9 Oct 2024
Thu 10 Oct 2024
Fri 11 Oct 2024
Mon 23 Dec 2024
Tue 24 Dec 2024
Fri 27 Dec 2024
Mon 30 Dec 2024
Tue 31 Dec 2024
Thu 2 Jan 2025
Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 59 days off in Western Australia
There are 10 official public holidays in Western Australia in 2024. To maximise your days off, plan for these breaks:
Break
Start
Finish
Days
New Year's Day 2024
Sat 30 Dec 2023
Mon 1 Jan 2024
3
Australia Day
Fri 26 Jan 2024
Sun 28 Jan 2024
3
Labour Day
Sat 2 Mar 2024
Mon 4 Mar 2024
3
Easter
Fri 29 Mar 2024
Mon 1 Apr 2024
4
Anzac Day
Sat 20 Apr 2024
Sun 28 Apr 2024
9
Western Australia Day
Sat 1 Jun 2024
Sun 9 Jun 2024
9
Bonus weekend
Sat 3 Aug 2024
Mon 5 Aug 2024
3
King's Birthday
Sat 21 Sep 2024
Sun 29 Sep 2024
9
Christmas/New Year
Sat 21 Dec 2024
Sun 5 Jan 2025
16
Total
59
You could place the bonus weekend anywhere you like – I just positioned it to make the second half of the year more bearable.
To achieve this, book these dates for your annual leave:
Mon 22 Apr 2024
Tue 23 Apr 2024
Wed 24 Apr 2024
Fri 26 Apr 2024
Tue 4 Jun 2024
Wed 5 Jun 2024
Thu 6 Jun 2024
Fri 7 Jun 2024
Mon 5 Aug 2024
Tue 24 Sep 2024
Wed 25 Sep 2024
Thu 26 Sep 2024
Fri 27 Sep 2024
Mon 23 Dec 2024
Tue 24 Dec 2024
Fri 27 Dec 2024
Mon 30 Dec 2024
Tue 31 Dec 2024
Thu 2 Jan 2025
Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 59 days off in South Australia
There are 10 official public holidays in South Australia in 2024. To score the maximum number of consecutive days off, go for these breaks:
Break
Start
Finish
Days
New Year's Day 2024
Sat 30 Dec 2023
Mon 1 Jan 2024
3
Australia Day
Fri 26 Jan 2024
Sun 28 Jan 2024
3
Adelaide Cup Day
Sat 9 Mar 2024
Mon 11 Mar 2024
3
Easter
Fri 29 Mar 2024
Mon 1 Apr 2024
4
Anzac Day
Sat 20 Apr 2024
Sun 28 Apr 2024
9
King's Birthday
Sat 8 Jun 2024
Sun 16 Jun 2024
9
Bonus weekend
Sat 3 Aug 2024
Mon 5 Aug 2024
3
Labour Day
Sat 5 Oct 2024
Sun 13 Oct 2024
9
Christmas/New Year
Sat 21 Dec 2024
Sun 5 Jan 2025
16
Total
59
You could place the bonus weekend anywhere that suits – that could be a good option for an unexpected flight sale or a family travel commitment.
To get this outcome, ask for these dates for your annual leave:
Mon 22 Apr 2024
Tue 23 Apr 2024
Wed 24 Apr 2024
Fri 26 Apr 2024
Tue 11 Jun 2024
Wed 12 Jun 2024
Thu 13 Jun 2024
Fri 14 Jun 2024
Mon 5 Aug 2024
Tue 8 Oct 2024
Wed 9 Oct 2024
Thu 10 Oct 2024
Fri 11 Oct 2024
Mon 23 Dec 2024
Tue 24 Dec 2024
Fri 27 Dec 2024
Mon 30 Dec 2024
Tue 31 Dec 2024
Thu 2 Jan 2025
Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 59 days off in Tasmania
There are 10 official public holidays in Tasmania in 2024. To get the most consecutive days off, plan for these breaks:
Break
Start
Finish
Days
New Year's Day 2024
Sat 30 Dec 2023
Mon 1 Jan 2024
3
Australia Day
Fri 26 Jan 2024
Sun 28 Jan 2024
3
Royal Hobart Regatta
Sat 10 Feb 2024
Mon 12 Feb 2024
3
Labour Day
Sat 9 Mar 2024
Sun 17 Mar 2024
9
Easter
Fri 29 Mar 2024
Mon 1 Apr 2024
4
Anzac Day
Sat 20 Apr 2024
Sun 28 Apr 2024
9
King's Birthday
Sat 8 Jun 2024
Sun 16 Jun 2024
9
Bonus weekend
Sat 7 Sep 2024
Mon 9 Sep 2024
3
Christmas/New Year
Sat 21 Dec 2024
Sun 5 Jan 2025
16
Total
59
The bonus weekend can go anywhere you like. Outside Hobart, folks get Recreation Day on 4 November 2024 rather than the Royal Hobart Regatta holiday, but this doesn't affect the total.
To achieve this, book these dates for your annual leave:
Tue 12 Mar 2024
Tue 13 Feb 2024
Thu 14 Mar 2024
Fri 15 Mar 2024
Mon 22 Apr 2024
Tue 23 Apr 2024
Wed 24 Apr 2024
Fri 26 Apr 2024
Tue 11 Jun 2024
Wed 12 Jun 2024
Thu 13 Jun 2024
Fri 14 Jun 2024
Mon 9 Sep 2024
Mon 23 Dec 2024
Tue 24 Dec 2024
Fri 27 Dec 2024
Mon 30 Dec 2024
Tue 31 Dec 2024
Thu 2 Jan 2025
Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 62 days off in the Australian Capital Territory
There are a whopping 11 official public holidays in the ACT in 2024. Here's how to space them for maximum effect:
Break
Start
Finish
Days
New Year's Day 2024
Sat 30 Dec 2023
Mon 1 Jan 2024
3
Australia Day
Fri 26 Jan 2024
Sun 28 Jan 2024
3
Canberra Day
Sat 9 Mar 2024
Mon 11 Mar 2024
3
Easter
Fri 29 Mar 2024
Mon 1 Apr 2024
4
Anzac Day
Sat 20 Apr 2024
Sun 28 Apr 2024
9
Reconciliation Day
Sat 25 May 2024
Mon 27 May 2024
3
King's Birthday
Sat 8 Jun 2024
Sun 16 Jun 2024
9
Bonus weekend
Sat 3 Aug 2024
Mon 5 Aug 2024
3
Labour Day
Sat 5 Oct 2024
Sun 13 Oct 2024
9
Christmas/New Year
Sat 21 Dec 2024
Sun 5 Jan 2025
16
Total
62
You could place the bonus weekend anywhere you like – that's useful for weddings, birthdays and other anniversaries.
To achieve this result, book these dates for your annual leave:
Mon 22 Apr 2024
Tue 23 Apr 2024
Wed 24 Apr 2024
Fri 26 Apr 2024
Tue 11 Jun 2024
Wed 12 Jun 2024
Thu 13 Jun 2024
Fri 14 Jun 2024
Mon 5 Aug 2024
Tue 8 Oct 2024
Wed 9 Oct 2024
Thu 10 Oct 2024
Fri 11 Oct 2024
Mon 23 Dec 2024
Tue 24 Dec 2024
Fri 27 Dec 2024
Mon 30 Dec 2024
Tue 31 Dec 2024
Thu 2 Jan 2025
Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 62 days off in the Northern Territory
There are 11 official public holidays in the NT in 2024. To get the most consecutive days off, plan for these breaks:
Break
Start
Finish
Days
New Year's Day 2024
Sat 30 Dec 2023
Mon 1 Jan 2024
3
Australia Day
Fri 26 Jan 2024
Sun 28 Jan 2024
3
Easter
Fri 29 Mar 2024
Mon 1 Apr 2024
4
Anzac Day
Sat 20 Apr 2024
Sun 28 Apr 2024
9
May Day
Sat 4 May 2024
Mon 6 May 2024
3
King's Birthday
Sat 8 Jun 2024
Sun 16 Jun 2024
9
Darwin Show Day
Fri 26 Jul 2024
Sun 28 Jul 2024
3
Picnic Day
Sat 3 Aug 2024
Sun 11 Aug 2024
9
Bonus weekend
Sat 5 Oct 2024
Mon 7 Oct 2024
3
Christmas/New Year
Sat 21 Dec 2024
Sun 5 Jan 2025
16
Total
62
The table shows the Darwin Race Day holiday. Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek have different race days, but that doesn't affect the overall total.
To achieve this, book these dates for your annual leave:
Mon 22 Apr 2024
Tue 23 Apr 2024
Wed 24 Apr 2024
Fri 26 Apr 2024
Tue 11 Jun 2024
Wed 12 Jun 2024
Thu 13 Jun 2024
Fri 14 Jun 2024
Tue 6 Aug 2024
Wed 7 Aug 2024
Thu 8 Aug 2024
Fri 9 Aug 2024
Mon 7 Oct 2024
Mon 23 Dec 2024
Tue 24 Dec 2024
Fri 27 Dec 2024
Mon 30 Dec 2024
Tue 31 Dec 2024
Thu 2 Jan 2025
Fri 3 Jan 2025
Frequently asked questions
How do I maximise my annual leave?
The easiest way to maximise your annual leave dates is to work them around public holidays.
The big nationwide public holiday periods are Easter (where you're always guaranteed a 4-day weekend) and Christmas (where you're guaranteed at least 2 annual leave days off).
In 2024 Christmas and Boxing Day fall on a Wednesday and Thursday. Taking time off from 23 December through to 1 January 2024 gets you loads of time off without using too many days.
In 2024, Anzac Day falls on a Thursday, so taking days off around it also maximises your leave potential.
What if I want to save my leave?
If you're accumulating your leave for a bigger holiday down the track you can still have a few mini holidays throughout the year. Hone in on Monday public holidays for 3-day weekend breaks that won't use any annual leave.
When should I book my trip?
ASAP. These hacks work around public holidays which are peak travel seasons. If you know when you want to travel, submit your annual leave as soon as you can. Also, booking your trip as early as possible helps secure the best prices.
Angus Kidman is the international editor-at-large at Finder. He's an award-winning journalist who has reported on technology, travel, finance and other topics for over 30 years. Angus appears regularly on Sunrise, Today, The Project, Seven News and other TV and radio shows.
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