Is Anzac Day a Public Holiday? 2026 Status in Australia & NZ

There’s a specific morning each year when Australians and New Zealanders stop—and for most of them, it’s a paid day off. Anzac Day, 25 April, is a full public holiday in every Australian state and territory, as well as in New Zealand, but when the date falls on a Saturday, as it does in 2026, things get trickier: some jurisdictions shift the holiday to Monday, creating a patchwork of observed days that catches many by surprise.

Observance date: 25 April annually ·
Australian states/territories observing: All 8 (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA) ·
New Zealand status: Yes, full national public holiday ·
Year first nationwide public holiday (AU): 1927 ·
2026 day of week: Saturday

Here are the key facts at a glance.

Is Anzac Day a full public holiday?

Yes—Anzac Day is a full public holiday in every Australian state and territory. That means most employees are entitled to a day off with ordinary pay under relevant state and federal awards. The same applies across the Tasman: New Zealand treats Anzac Day as a national public holiday, not merely a commemorative day.

Anzac Day public holiday status in all Australian states and territories

• ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA all list Anzac Day as a public holiday in their respective calendars (Fair Work Ombudsman).
• The status is uniform across states: a paid day off for most workers, with some trading restrictions applying (more on that for New Zealand below).

Anzac Day observed holiday vs full public holiday meaning

• A full public holiday means the day carries all normal entitlements—day off, penalty rates if worked, and no requirement to use annual leave.
• An observed holiday occurs when the actual date falls on a weekend and the government designates an alternative weekday as the holiday. In 2026, ACT, NSW, and WA will observe Anzac Day on Monday 27 April in addition to Saturday 25 April (Fair Work Ombudsman).

The implication: most Australians get a day off, but the 2026 Saturday creates a split between those who get a long weekend and those who don’t.

Which states get a public holiday for Anzac Day?

Six jurisdictions and a patchwork: here’s the 2026 map.

List of Australian states and territories with Anzac Day public holiday

• All eight states and territories observe Anzac Day as a public holiday—no exceptions.
• That covers: Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales (NSW), Northern Territory (NT), Queensland (QLD), South Australia (SA), Tasmania (TAS), Victoria (VIC), Western Australia (WA). (Australia.com (official tourism portal))

2026 Anzac Day public holiday by state

Two distinct groups emerge when Saturday 25 April hits:

The pattern: ACT, NSW, and WA give you a long weekend; the rest keep Anzac Day on Saturday only. For workers in Victoria, the holiday is Saturday itself—good luck if that’s your usual day off.

Is Anzac Day a full public holiday in NZ?

Yes—Anzac Day is a full national public holiday in New Zealand. No half-measures. The New Zealand Government treats it identically to other statutory holidays: most employees get the day off, and those who work receive time‑and‑a‑half plus an alternative holiday.

New Zealand Anzac Day public holiday rules

• The New Zealand government lists Anzac Day among its official public holidays (New Zealand Government).
• Unlike Australia’s multi‑state patchwork, New Zealand has a single national rule: Anzac Day is observed on 25 April regardless of the day of the week. In 2026, that’s a Saturday—so no Monday substitute.

Anzac Day trading restrictions in New Zealand

• Most shops in New Zealand must remain closed until 1:00 pm on Anzac Day. Exceptions include dairies, petrol stations, pharmacies, and cafes (with conditions).
• This restriction is set under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 and applies nationwide even when the holiday falls on a weekend.

The contrast highlights how two countries share a commemorative day but implement it differently.

For a broader look at New Zealand’s public holidays, see our guide on Matariki E Ara E: Lyrics, Meaning & Translation Guide.

Why is April 25th chosen as Anzac Day?

The date marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I—the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 (Australian War Memorial (national commemorative authority)).

Historical origin of Anzac Day date

• The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Australian War Memorial (encyclopedia entry)).
• The first commemorations were held in 1916, but it took until 1927 for all Australian states to observe it as a public holiday together. New Zealand gradually established full public‑holiday status over the same period.

Connection to Gallipoli landing

• On 25 April 1915, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula in modern‑day Turkey. The campaign lasted eight months and became a defining moment of national identity for both countries.
• The date was chosen to honour the sacrifice of those who served—and it has remained fixed ever since, unlike movable holidays such as King’s Birthday or Easter.

The fixed date on April 25 ensures the historical significance remains tied to the actual anniversary, unlike movable holidays.

The absence of uniform confirmation for a Monday substitute in 2026 means workers in five states need to check their state’s announcements.

The progression from 1916 commemorations to nationwide public holiday status in 1927 shows how Anzac Day became institutionalised over a decade.

“Anzac Day is a public holiday in all Australian states and territories. In 2026, because it falls on a Saturday, some jurisdictions have announced an additional public holiday on Monday 27 April.”

Fair Work Ombudsman (federal employment regulator)

“New Zealand’s Anzac Day is a full public holiday. Most shops must stay closed until 1pm, but dairies and petrol stations are exempt.”

New Zealand Government (official advice)

“The ACT government has confirmed that Anzac Day 2026 will be observed on Monday 27 April, giving workers a long weekend.”

Fair Work Ombudsman (state-by-state list)

For the estimated 26 million Australians and 5 million New Zealanders planning their 2026 calendar, the implication is clear: check your state or territory’s specific observed date before booking that Friday off. In three jurisdictions you effectively get a Monday holiday; in the rest you don’t. And for New Zealanders, remember the 1 pm shop‑opening rule—or be stuck buying a pie at a petrol station until lunchtime.

Related reading: **Matariki E Ara E: Lyrics, Meaning & Translation Guide** · **Eid al-Fitr 2025: Confirmed Date, Moon Sighting & Guide**

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