JANUARY 4, 2019 – In 2019, we are fighting to Change the Rules.
But when it comes to taking your annual leave, we’re about to teach you how to Game the Rules. Play it right and you can turn your 20 days annual leave into over 40 days off.
The following public holidays will be recognised in every state and territory in Australia in 2019.
1 Jan Tue New Year's Day
28 Jan Mon Australia Day Holiday
19 Apr Fri Good Friday
21 Apr Sun Easter Sunday
22 Apr Mon Easter Monday
25 Apr Thu Anzac Day
25 Dec Wed Christmas Day
26 Dec Thu Boxing Day
1 Jan 2020 Wed New Year’s Day
In particular, check out April where Easter and Anzac Day fall in same week. If you take annual leave beginning on Thursday 18 April to Friday 26 April you can get 10 consecutive days off using 3 days annual leave. It’s also worth noting that many workers in the manufacturing industry celebrate a union picnic day on Easter Tuesday, in which case you’d only need to take two days annual leave to get the ten days off (check your workplace agreement to find out if you get a union picnic day or call the AMWU Help Desk on 1300732698).
Likewise, at Christmas and New Year, if you start your annual leave beginning on Friday 19 December until Wed 1 January 2020, you can get 11 consecutive days off using just 5 days annual leave.
The remaining public holidays will vary from state to state and are listed below. Note that most of them fall on a Monday or Friday which is a great opportunity to take extra long weekends or full week’s off.
Remember, taking holidays is an important part of your well-being as an employee. To find out more about the rules on requesting annual leave, check out our previous article on the issue.
Check out the Public Holidays in your state or territory
New South Wales 20 Apr Sat Day following Good Friday 10 Jun Mon Queen's Birthday 7 Oct Mon Labour Day |
Victoria 11 Mar Mon 20 Apr Sat Day following Good Friday 10 Jun Mon Queen's Birthday 27 Sep Fri AFL Grand Final Friday 5 Nov Tue Melbourne Cup Day |
Queensland 20 Apr Sat Day following Good Friday 6 May Mon Labour Day 14 Aug Wed Ekka Wednesday 7 Oct Mon Queen's Birthday |
Western Australia 4 Mar Mon Labour Day 3 Jun Mon Western Australia Day 30 Sep Mon Queen's Birthday |
South Australia 11 Mar Mon March Public Holiday 20 Apr Sat Day following Good Friday 7 Oct Mon Labour Day |
ACT 11 Mar Mon Canberra Day 27 May Mon Reconciliation Day 10 Jun Mon Queen's Birthday 7 Oct Mon Labour Day |
NT 6 May Mon May Day 10 Jun Mon Queen's Birthday 28 Jun Fri Borroloola Show Day 5 Jul Fri Alice Springs Show Day 12 Jul Fri Tennant Creek Show Day 19 Jul Fri Katherine Show Day 26 Jul Fri Darwin Show Day 5 Aug Mon Picnic Day |
Tasmania 9 Jan Wed Devonport Cup 11 Feb Mon Royal Hobart Regatta 27 Feb Wed Launceston Cup 5 Mar Tue King Island Show 11 Mar Mon Eight Hours Day 3 May Fri AGFEST 10 Jun Mon Queen's Birthday 4 Oct Fri Burnie Show 10 Oct Thu Royal Launceston Show 18 Oct Fri Flinders Island Show 24 Oct Thu Royal Hobart Show 4 Nov Mon Recreation Day 29 Nov Fri Devonport Show |