As we turn the corner and look towards what 2024 will bring (hopefully less outrageous grocery prices and more luxuriating), it's time to organise how we will be spending our downtime. Because if there's one thing 2023 taught us, it's that moments of rest are absolutely essential in order to keep life in balance.
As well as hopefully getting some much needed R&R, in 2024, you're also going to be able to maximise your public holiday leave by being strategic with your annual leave. After crunching the numbers and filing through the calendar we've discovered you can take 17 days of annual leave which will accrue to 45 days off throughout the year. We do love to see basic maths returning in our adult life to genuinely help us.
Watch: Inside my wardrobe- Holidays. Post continues below.
While this number may change given the difference in public holidays across the various states and territories, we've compiled all of the dates to be aware of so you can make your calendars work harder for you all year. We'll see you on the beach, slathered in sunscreen, rested, hydrated and unbothered.
New Year's Day
Public Holiday: January 1
Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Ring in the new year or nurse your gentle soul after New Year's Eve celebrations.
Australia Day
Public Holiday: January 26
Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
This year Australia Day falls on a Friday, which means you can take one day of annual leave on Monday 29 January and give yourself an extra long four-day weekend.
Royal Hobart Regatta
Public Holiday: February 12
Observed: In certain areas of Tas
Those Tasmanians sure do love their water activities, so much so they take a whole long-weekend and public holiday to proclaim it! 2024 will mark the 186th year of the Royal Hobart Regatta.
Labour Day (WA)
Public Holiday: March 4
Observed: WA
The first of many Labour Days littered throughout the calendar year. First cab off the rank is WA.
Labour Day (Vic)
Public Holiday: March 11
Observed: Vic
And just a few days later, Victorians get their go at celebrating Labour Day!
Canberra Day
Public Holiday: March 11
Observed: ACT
Canberra Day is a cheeky little public holiday for those living in ACT and Jervis Bay Territory in honour of the naming of Canberra.
Eight Hours Day
Public Holiday: March 11
Observed: Tas
Eight Hours Day takes place in Tasmania in tribute to the Australian labour movement. What better way to celebrate hard work than by taking a day off?
Adelaide Cup Day
Public Holiday: March 11
Observed: Adelaide Cup Day (subject to proclamation)
The Adelaide Cup Day public holiday is observed for South Australian residents to watch the big horse race at the tracks.
Good Friday
Public Holiday: March 29
Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
(Psst... If you live in a state that observes all four days across the Easter break, you can take four days annual leave from April 2-5, and you'll receive a whopping 10-day break.)
Easter Saturday
Public Holiday: March 30
Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Vic
Easter Sunday
Public Holiday: March 31
Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, Vic, WA
Easter Monday
Public Holiday: April 1
Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Easter Tuesday
Public Holiday: April 2
Observed: Tas (Tasmania Public Service only)
Anzac Day
Public Holiday: April 25
Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Get savvy with your annual leave and cop another big break by taking four days off from April 22-24, and April 27, to get a nine-day holiday.
May Day
Public Holiday: May 6
Observed: NT
May Day in the Northern Territory is another celebration of the contribution of working Australians.
Labour Day
Public Holiday: May 6
Observed: Qld
Here yet another Labour Day pops up – this time for Queenslanders!
Reconciliation Day
Public Holiday: May 27
Observed: ACT
Part of Reconciliation Week, this holiday marks the anniversary of the 1967 Australian Referendum.
Western Australia Day
Public Holiday: June 3
Observed: WA
This day is for Western Australians to commemorate the founding of the Swan River Colony in 1829.
Sovereign's/King's Birthday
Public Holiday: June 10
Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, SA, TAS, VIC
Picnic Day
Public Holiday: August 5
Observed: NT
On August 5, residents in the Northern Territory get a public holiday to literally go to a park and eat delicious food. All of a sudden I'm relocating to the NT.
Royal Queensland Show
Public Holiday: August 14
Observed: Qld (Brisbane area only)
The Royal Queensland Show is a big date in the calendar for Brisbane/Gold Coast residents to head to the EKKA. In 2023 Matt Damon was spotted enjoying the show, which feels like 10 Christmases all at once.
Labour Day
Public Holiday: October 7
Observed: ACT, NSW, SA
Another! Labour! Day!
King's Birthday
Public Holiday: October 7
Observed: Qld
King's Birthday
Public Holiday: September 23
Observed: WA
AFL Grand Final
Public Holiday: TBC (Friday before AFL Grand Final)
Observed: Vic
Whether you love AFL or not, Victorians get a day off to celebrate/ignore the AFL Grand Final.
Recreation Day
Public Holiday: November 4
Observed: Tas (certain areas of state that don't observe Royal Hobart Regatta)
Melbourne Cup
Public Holiday: November 5
Observed: Vic
Christmas Eve
Public Holiday: December 24
Observed: NT, SA (7pm to midnight), Qld (6pm to midnight)
Christmas Day
Public Holiday: December 25
Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
If you feel like taking 12 days off (would be rude not to) get in your five days of annual leave now for December 23, 24, 27, 30 and 31.
Boxing Day
Public Holiday: December 26
Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
New Year's Eve
Public Holiday: December 31
Observed: NT, SA (7pm to midnight)
Feature Image: Getty.
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