Best Dates to Make the Most of Your Annual Leave

Ready to turn your vacation dreams into reality?

Make the most of your annual leave in 2026 and 2027 with the help of this handy guide that will get you to maximise your leave dates so you can get to prioritise time with loved ones, explore new places, and recharge your batteries.

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Victoria Best Annual Leave Dates 2026 TO 2027

2026 Victoria Best Leave Dates

1. January – Australia Day Long Weekend

For a nine-day break, use four days of annual leave:

When to travel Saturday, 24 January to Sunday, 1 February
Public holiday Monday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 27 January; Wednesday, 28 January; Thursday, 29 January; Friday, 30 January

2. March – Labour Day

For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave

When to travel Saturday, 7 March to Sunday, 15 March
Public holiday Monday, 9 March (Labour Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 10 March; Wednesday, 11 March; Thursday, 12 March; Friday, 13 March

3. April – Good Friday and Easter Monday

For a 10-day break, use 4 days of annual leave.

When to travel Friday, 3 April to Sunday, 12 April
Public holidays Friday, 3 April (Good Friday); Monday, 6 April (Easter Monday)
Days to book Tuesday, 7 April; Wednesday, 8 April; Thursday, 9 April; Friday, 10 April

4. June – King’s Birthday

For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave

When to travel Saturday, 6 June to Sunday, 14 June
Public holiday Monday, 8 June (King’s Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 9 June; Wednesday, 10 June; Thursday, 11 June; Friday, 12 June

5. September – AFL Grand Final

For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave*

When to travel Saturday, 19 September to Sunday, 27 September
Public holiday Friday, 25 September (Grand Final Friday – to be confirmed)
Days to book Monday, 21 September; Tuesday, 22 September; Wednesday, 23 September; Thursday, 24 September
**Subject to AFL schedule

6. November – Melbourne Cup

For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave

When to travel Saturday, 31 October to Sunday, 8 November
Public holiday Tuesday, 3 November (Melbourne Cup Day)
Days to book Monday, 2 November; Wednesday, 4 November; Thursday, 5 November; Friday, 6 November

7. December – Christmas and New Year

For a 16-day break, use seven days of annual leave

When to travel Saturday, 19 December to Sunday, 3 January
Public holidays Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Boxing Day); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
Days to book Monday, 21 December, Tuesday, 22 December, Wednesday, 23 December; Thursday, 24 December; Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday 30 December; Thursday 31 December

2027 Best Annual Leave Dates for Victoria

1. January – Australia Day Long Weekend

For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave:

When to travel Saturday, 23 January to Sunday, 31 January
Public holiday Tuesday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday , 24 January; Wednesday, 27 January; Thursday, 28 January; Friday, 29 January

2. March – Labour Day

For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave

When to travel Saturday, 6 March to Sunday, 14 March
Public holiday Monday, 8 March (Labour Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 9 March; Wednesday, 10 March; Thursday, 11 March; Friday, 12 March

3. March-April – Good Friday and Easter Monday

For a 10-day break, use 4 days of annual leave.

When to travel Friday, 26 March to Sunday, 4 April
Public holidays Friday, 26 March (Good Friday); Monday, 29 March (Easter Monday)
Days to book Tuesday, 30 March; Wednesday, 31 March; Thursday, 1 April; Friday, 2 April

4. June – King’s Birthday

For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave

When to travel Saturday, 12 June to Sunday, 20 June
Public holiday Monday, 14 June (King’s Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 15 June; Wednesday, 116 June; Thursday, 17 June; Friday, 18 June

5. September – AFL Grand Final

For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave*

When to travel Saturday, 18 September to Sunday, 26 September
Public holiday Friday, 24 September (Grand Final Friday – to be confirmed)
Days to book Monday, 20 September; Tuesday, 21 September; Wednesday, 22 September; Thursday, 23 September
**Subject to AFL schedule

6. November – Melbourne Cup

For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave

When to travel Saturday, 30 October to Sunday, 7 November
Public holiday Tuesday, 2 November (Melbourne Cup Day)
Days to book Monday, 1 November; Wednesday, 3 November; Thursday, 4 November; Friday, 5 November

7. December – Christmas and New Year

For a 10-day break, use 3 days of annual leave

When to travel Saturday, 25 December to Monday, 3 January
Public holidays Saturday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 27 December (Additional Christmas Day holiday); Tuesday, 28 December (Boxing Day holiday); Saturday, 1 January (New Year’s Day); Monday, 3 January (Additional New Year Day)
Days to book Wednesday, 29 December; Thursday, 30 December; Friday, 31 December

2026 NSW Best Leave Dates

January
- For a nine-day break, use four days of annual leave:
- When to travel Saturday, 24 January to Sunday, 1 February
- Public holiday Monday, 26 January (Australia Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 27 January; Wednesday, 28 January; Thursday, 29 January; Friday, 30 January
April
- For a 10-day break, use 4 days of annual leave.
- When to travel Friday, 3 April to Sunday, 12 April
- Public holidays Friday, 3 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 4 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 5 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 6 April (Easter Monday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 7 April; Wednesday, 8 April; Thursday, 9 April; Friday, 10 April
June
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 6 June to Sunday, 14 June
- Public holiday Monday, 8 June (King’s Birthday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 9 June; Wednesday, 10 June; Thursday, 11 June; Friday, 12 June
October
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 3 October to Sunday, 11 October
- Public holiday Monday, 5 October (Labour Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 6 October; Wednesday, 7 October; Thursday, 8 October; Friday, 9 October
December
- For a 16-day break, use seven days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 19 December to Sunday, 3 January
- Public holidays Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Saturday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Monday, 28 December (Additional Boxing Day Holiday); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
- Days to book Monday, 21 December; Tuesday, 22 December; Wednesday, 23 December; Thursday, 24 December; Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December

2026 Queensland Best Leave Dates

January
- For a nine-day break, use four days of annual leave:
- When to travel Saturday, 24 January to Sunday, 1 February
- Public holiday Monday, 26 January (Australia Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 27 January; Wednesday, 28 January; Thursday, 29 January; Friday, 30 January
April
- For a 10-day break, use 4 days of annual leave.
- When to travel Friday, 3 April to Sunday, 12 April
- Public holidays Friday, 3 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 4 April (Day after Good Friday); Sunday, 5 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 6 April (Easter Monday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 7 April; Wednesday, 8 April; Thursday, 9 April; Friday, 10 April
May
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 2 May to Sunday, 10 May
- Public holiday Monday, 4 May (Labour Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 5 May; Wednesday, 6 May; Thursday, 7 May; Friday, 8 May
August
- If you live or work in Brisbane, For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 8 August to Sunday, 16 August
- Public holiday Wednesday, 12 August (Royal Queensland Show, Brisbane area only)
- Days to book Monday, 10 August; Tuesday, 11 August; Thursday, 13 August; Friday, 14 August
October
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 3 October to Sunday, 11 October
- Public holiday Monday, 5 October (King’s Birthday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 6 October; Wednesday, 7 October; Thursday, 8 October; Friday, 9 October
December
- For a 16-day break, use seven days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 19 December to Sunday, 3 January
- Public holidays Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Saturday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Monday, 28 December (Additional public holiday for Boxing Day); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
- Days to book Monday, 21 December; Tuesday, 22 December; Wednesday, 23 December; Thursday, 24 December; Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December

2026 Western Australia Best Leave Dates

January
- For a nine-day break, use four days of annual leave:
- When to travel Saturday, 24 January to Sunday, 1 February
- Public holiday Monday, 26 January (Australia Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 27 January; Wednesday, 28 January; Thursday, 29 January; Friday, 30 January
March
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 28 February to Sunday, 8 March
- Public holiday Monday, 2 March (Labour Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 3 March; Wednesday, 4 March; Thursday, 5 March; Friday, 6 March
April
- For a 10-day break, use 4 days of annual leave.
- When to travel Friday, 3 April to Sunday, 12 April
- Public holidays Friday, 3 April (Good Friday); Sunday, 5 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 6 April (Easter Monday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 7 April; Wednesday, 8 April; Thursday, 9 April; Friday, 10 April
June
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 30 May to Sunday, 7 June
- Public holiday Monday, 1 June (Western Australia Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 2 June; Wednesday, 3 June; Thursday, 4 June; Friday, 5 June
September
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 26 September to Sunday, 4 October
- Public holiday Monday, 28 September (King’s Birthday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 29 September; Wednesday, 30 September; Thursday, 1 October; Friday, 2 October
December
- For a 16-day break, use seven days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 19 December to Sunday, 3 January
- Public holidays Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Saturday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Monday, 28 December (Additional public holiday for Boxing Day); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
- Days to book Monday, 21 December; Tuesday, 22 December; Wednesday, 23 December; Thursday, 24 December; Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December

South Australia Best Annual Leave Dates 2026

2026 South Australia Best Leave Dates

January
- For a nine-day break, use four days of annual leave:
- When to travel Saturday, 24 January to Sunday, 1 February
- Public holiday Monday, 26 January (Australia Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 27 January; Wednesday, 28 January; Thursday, 29 January; Friday, 30 January
March
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 7 March to Sunday, 15 March
- Public holiday Monday, 9 March (Adelaide Cup Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 10 March; Wednesday, 11 March; Thursday, 12 March; Friday, 13 March
April
- For a 10-day break, use 4 days of annual leave.
- When to travel Friday, 3 April to Sunday, 12 April
- Public holidays Friday, 3 April (Good Friday); Monday, 6 April (Easter Monday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 7 April; Wednesday, 8 April; Thursday, 9 April; Friday, 10 April
June
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 6 June to Sunday, 14 June
- Public holiday Monday, 8 June (King’s Birthday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 9 June; Wednesday, 10 June; Thursday, 11 June; Friday, 12 June
October
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 3 October to Sunday, 11 October
- Public holiday Monday, 5 October (Labour Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 6 October; Wednesday, 7 October; Thursday, 8 October; Friday, 9 October
December
- For a 16-day break, use seven days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 19 December to Sunday, 3 January
- Public holidays Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Proclamation Day); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
- Days to book Monday, 21 December; Tuesday, 22 December; Wednesday, 23 December; Thursday, 24 December; Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December

Australia Capital Territory Best Annual Leave Dates 2026

2026 ACT Best Leave Dates

January
- For a nine-day break, use four days of annual leave:
- When to travel Saturday, 24 January to Sunday, 1 February
- Public holiday Monday, 26 January (Australia Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 27 January; Wednesday, 28 January; Thursday, 29 January; Friday, 30 January
March
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 7 March to Sunday, 15 March
- Public holiday Monday, 9 March (Canberra Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 10 March; Wednesday, 11 March; Thursday, 12 March; Friday, 13 March
April
- For a 10-day break, use 4 days of annual leave.
- When to travel Friday, 3 April to Sunday, 12 April
- Public holidays Friday, 3 April (Good Friday); Monday, 6 April (Easter Monday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 7 April; Wednesday, 8 April; Thursday, 9 April; Friday, 10 April
June
- For a 16-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 30 May to Sunday, 7 June
- Public holidays Monday, 1 June (Reconciliation Day); Monday, 8 June (King’s Birthday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 2 June; Wednesday, 3 June; Thursday, 4 June; Friday, 5 June
October
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 3 October to Sunday, 11 October
- Public holiday Monday, 5 October (Labour Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 6 October; Wednesday, 7 October; Thursday, 8 October; Friday, 9 October
December
- For a 16-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Thursday, 24 December to Sunday, 3 January
- Public holidays Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Boxing Day observed); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
- Days to book Thursday, 24 December; Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December

2026 Tasmania Best Leave Dates

January
- For a nine-day break, use four days of annual leave:
- When to travel Saturday, 24 January to Sunday, 1 February
- Public holiday Monday, 26 January (Australia Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 27 January; Wednesday, 28 January; Thursday, 29 January; Friday, 30 January
March
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 7 March to Sunday, 15 March
- Public holiday Monday, 9 March (Eight Hours Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 10 March; Wednesday, 11 March; Thursday, 12 March; Friday, 13 March
April
- For a 10-day break, use 3 days of annual leave.
- When to travel Friday, 3 April to Sunday, 12 April
- Public holidays Friday, 3 April (Good Friday); Monday, 6 April (Easter Monday); Tuesday, 7 April (Easter Tuesday – generally for the Tasmanian Public Service); Saturday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 7 April; Wednesday, 8 April; Thursday, 9 April
June
- For a nine-day break, use four days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 6 June to Sunday, 14 June
- Public holidays Monday, 8 June (King’s Birthday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 9 June; Wednesday, 10 June; Thursday, 11 June; Friday, 12 June
December
- For a 16-day break, use seven days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 19 December to Sunday, 3 January
- Public holidays Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Boxing Day – substitute day); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
- Days to book Monday, 21 December; Tuesday, 22 December; Wednesday, 23 December; Thursday, 24 December; Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December

2026 Northern Territory Best Leave Dates

January
- For a nine-day break, use four days of annual leave:
- When to travel Saturday, 24 January to Sunday, 1 February
- Public holiday Monday, 26 January (Australia Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 27 January; Wednesday, 28 January; Thursday, 29 January; Friday, 30 January
April
- For a ten-day break, use 4 days of annual leave.
- When to travel Saturday, 4 April to Monday, 13 April
- Public holidays Friday, 3 April (Good Friday); Monday, 6 April (Easter Monday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 7 April; Wednesday, 8 April; Thursday, 9 April; Friday, 10 April
April/May
- For a ten-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 25 April to Monday, 4 May
- Public holiday Saturday, 25 April (Anzac Day); Monday, 4 May (May Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 28 April; Wednesday, 29 April; Thursday, 30 April; Friday, 1 May
June
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 6 June to Sunday, 14 June
- Public holidays Monday, 8 June (King’s Birthday)
- Days to book Tuesday, 9 June; Wednesday, 10 June; Thursday, 11 June; Friday, 12 June
August
- For a nine-day break, use 4 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 1 August to Sunday, 9 August
- Public holidays Monday, 3 August (Picnic Day)
- Days to book Tuesday, 4 August; Wednesday, 5 August; Thursday, 6 August; Friday, 7 August
December
- For a 16-day break, use 7 days of annual leave
- When to travel Saturday, 19 December to Sunday, 3 January
- Public holidays Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Boxing Day observed); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
- Days to book Monday, 21 December; Tuesday, 22 December; Wednesday, 23 December; Thursday, 24 December; Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December

Best Dates to Make the Most of Your Annual Leave

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