Public holiday planning: What happens when Anzac Day falls on a weekend?

In 2026, Anzac Day falls on a Saturday. In years when 25 April falls on a weekend, it is treated differently under public holiday and trading laws across the various states and territories of Australia.

Entitlements to a day off work and trading restrictions for some businesses vary depending on where an employer and their employees are located.

How do the different states and territories treat the Anzac Day public holiday?

When 25 April falls on a weekend, there are three ways it can be dealt with under state and territory public holiday laws.

1. Public holiday on 25 April only

States and territories: NT, QLD, SA, TAS and VIC

The public holiday is observed on 25 April regardless of the day of the week. There are no substitute or additional public holidays on a weekday.

1. Substitute public holiday on a different date

The Australian Capital Territory observes the Anzac Day public holiday on a substitute day when 25 April falls on a weekend.

The public holiday is observed on the Monday following 25 April (in 2026, this will be Monday 27 April). There is no public holiday on 25 April.

1. Public holidays on 25 April and 27 April

States: NSW and WA

There is a public holiday on 25 April and an additional public holiday on the Monday following 25 April (in 2026, this will be Monday 27 April).

Employee entitlements

National Employment Standards

Entitlement to a day off on a public holiday

Under the National Employment Standards, employees are entitled to a day off on a public holiday.

For full-time and part-time employees who normally work ordinary hours on the day of a public holiday, the day off is paid.

Part-time employees who do not normally work ordinary hours on a day on which a public holiday falls are not entitled to a paid day off.

Casual employees are entitled to an unpaid day off on a public holiday.

Employers can request employees to work on public holidays

An employer can request an employee to work on a public holiday if the request is reasonable.

An employee can refuse their employer’s request to work on a public holiday if:

• the request is unreasonable, or
• the refusal is reasonable.

Whether a request or refusal is reasonable or unreasonable will depend on the specific situation. Factors that are relevant include:

• the nature of the business and its operational requirements,
• the nature of the employee’s work and their personal circumstances, including family responsibilities,
• whether the employee could reasonably expect to be asked to work on the public holiday
• whether the employee is entitled to overtime, penalty rates or other compensation for public holiday work,
• the employee's type of employment (full-time, part-time, casual or shiftwork),
• the amount of notice of a request or refusal to work on the public holiday, and
• anything else relevant in the particular circumstances.

Pay and other conditions for working on public holidays

Awards, enterprise agreements and employment contracts may provide for higher rates of pay and other conditions when an employee works on a public holiday.

For example, an employee may have award entitlements to a penalty rate and a minimum payment of a specified number of hours.

Entitlements for work performed on public holidays can vary widely, so it is important for employers and employees to check the relevant award, enterprise agreement or employment contract to identify the applicable public holiday conditions.

Is the employer allowed to operate on Anzac Day?

Before requesting employees to work on Anzac Day, employers should also consider whether any trading restrictions apply, as it may not be permitted for the business to open at all, or before a certain time.

Anzac Day trading restrictions

There are Anzac Day trading restrictions for some businesses in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

There are no Anzac Day trading restrictions in the Northern Territory or Australian Capital Territory.

Trading restrictions vary from state to state and depend on factors including the type of business, the size of the business and, in some cases, the region where the business is located.

Anzac Day trading restrictions are typically broader than those applying on most other public holidays.

It is important for businesses to understand how Anzac Day trading restrictions apply in their particular circumstances, as penalties can apply for non-compliance.

Information on the trading restrictions for each state can be accessed via the following government department websites: links:

• NSW: Trading on public holidays in NSW - NSW Government
• Queensland: Anzac Day trading hours - Business Queensland
• South Australia: Retail trading hours - SafeWork SA
• Tasmania: Department of Premier and Cabinet - Anzac Day trading
• Victoria: Operating on a restricted trading day - Business Victoria
• Western Australia: Retail trading hours - Consumer Protection - LGIRS

Key takeaways

• It is important for businesses to identify the public holiday arrangements for their location, as the states and territories have differing approaches to Anzac Day when it falls on a weekend.
• Employers and employees should familiarise themselves with the specific entitlements and obligations that apply on public holidays, as these vary depending on employment status and the relevant award, agreement or contract conditions.
• Different trading restrictions apply across the states, meaning businesses must check whether their business can legally open, and at what times, to avoid non-compliance.