Queensland Public Holidays 2025

Holiday	Date in 2025
New Year’s Day	Wednesday 1 January
Australia Day	Monday 27 January
Good Friday	Friday 18 April
Easter Saturday	Saturday 19 April
Easter Sunday	Sunday 20 April
Easter Monday	Monday 21 April
ANZAC Day	Friday 25 April
Labour Day	Monday 5 May
Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane area only)	Wednesday 13 August
King’s Birthday	Monday 6 October
Christmas Eve (6 pm to Midnight)	Wednesday 24 December
Christmas Day	Thursday 25 December
Boxing Day	Friday 26 December

Public Holidays

Public Holidays in Tasmania 2025

When it comes to public holidays, Tasmanian employees get to enjoy 10 state-wide days as well as some regional days like the Royal Hobart Regatta or Flinders Island Show. Depending on your business and industry, there are certain holidays that affect all businesses and Aussie companies. Making public holiday plans Scrolling through the calendar searching for the next public holiday so they can have some extra time off, or spend a longer long weekend with family and friends is something many employees do. For employers and business owners, if you’re unsure of your public holiday obligations or employee wage rates, call and speak to a specialist adviser at Peninsula 24/7. List of Public Holidays in Tasmania for 2025  Holiday Date in 2025 New Year’s Day Wednesday 1 January Australia Day Monday 27 January Eight Hours Day Monday 10 March Good Friday  Friday 18 April Easter Monday Monday 21 April Easter Tuesday (generally Tasmanian Public Service only) Tuesday 22 April ANZAC Day Friday 25 April King’s Birthday Monday 9 June Recreation Day Monday 3 November Christmas Eve Wednesday 24 December 7 pm-midnight Christmas Day  Thursday 25 December Boxing Day  Friday 26 December Substitute holidays in Tasmania When New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day fall on the weekend the public holiday is held on the following Monday (or Tuesday in some cases): If 25 December is on a Saturday, then both the Saturday and following Monday holidays If 25 December falls on a Sunday, then both the Sunday and following Tuesday holidays If Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, then Monday is the public holiday If Boxing Day falls on a Sunday, then Tuesday is the public holiday When ANZAC Day falls on Saturday or Sunday, no substitute or additional holiday is observed. Regional holidays in Tasmania in 2025 *Holiday 2025 Remarks * Holiday Date in 2025 Regions Devonport Cup Wednesday 8 January Tasmanian State Service Only Royal Hobart Regatta Monday 10 February South of and including Oatlands and Swansea excluding Bronte Park, Catagunya, Strathgordon, Tarraleah, Wayatinah & West Coast Launceston Cup Wednesday 26 February Tasmanian Public Service Only King Island Show Tuesday 4 March Only in King Island AGFEST Friday 2 May Municipal area of Circular Head Only Burnie Show Friday 3 October Municipal areas of Burnie, Waratah-Wynyard and West Coast Royal Launceston Show Thursday 9 October Municipal areas of Break O'Day, Dorset, George Town, Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands, West Tamar Flinders Island Show Friday 17 October Municipal area of Flinders Island Royal Hobart Show Thursday 23 October All of Tasmania south of and including Oatlands and Swansea also Bronte Park, Strathgordon, Tarreleah and Wayatinah. Excludes West Coast Devonport Show Friday 28 November Municipal areas of Devonport, Kentish and Latrobe Employee entitlements on public holidays in Tasmania Listing a day as a public holiday in Tasmania does not mean employees can have the day off work or get paid more for working on that day. If you are an employer or business owner in Tasmania, you will need to check your award, agreement, or National Employment Standard (NES), to find out if the public holiday applies to your workplace. Employees also have a right to not work on a public holiday. They should be given a choice if they should work or not on the public holiday. Ensure you get public holidays right with Peninsula The holiday season, public holidays, and long weekends mean enjoying good food and fun times with family and friends. For business owners or employers in Tasmania, juggling HR and WH&S responsibilities can be challenging. You need to know all the public holidays and appropriate employee entitlements to ensure you meet your legal obligations. Peninsula is committed to providing answers to your public holiday questions. Call our team for free initial advice 24/7 on make an enquiry today.

Public Holidays

Public Holiday Substitution in Australia

In Australia, public holidays are a time for rest, celebration, and national reflection. However, in our diverse and ever-evolving workforce, the question often arises: ‘Can you swap public holidays?’ Whether you're contemplating working on Australia Day or considering a substitution for another public holiday, understanding the flexibility within Australia's employment laws is crucial.  This guide delves into the specifics of substituting public holidays and what it means for both employers and employees. What is public holiday substitution? Public holiday substitution allows employees who work on designated public holidays, like Australia Day, to take another ordinary day off in lieu, ensuring they still benefit from their entitled rest days. This practice acknowledges an employee's personal circumstances, including diverse cultural and personal commitments of Australia's workforce, and provides flexibility for businesses that operate on public holidays. Legal considerations and employer obligations The National Employment Standards (NES) are the minimum standards of employment set out in the Fair Work Act 2009. This facilitates the substitution of public holidays based on mutual agreement between the employer and the employee. Employers must navigate these requests with a clear understanding of legal obligations, including penalty rates for employees working on public holidays and the right to refuse to work on public holidays under reasonable circumstances. Who can substitute a public holiday?  Understanding who can substitute a public holiday in Australia requires navigating the specifics of employment arrangements. This section clarifies eligibility based on your workplace contract. Employees covered by Awards or Enterprise Agreements If you fall under an Award or Enterprise Agreement, particularly in industries like retail, hospitality, or healthcare, you may have the privilege of substituting a public holiday. However, this relies on reaching a written agreement with your employer.  Carefully review your applicable Award or agreement details and initiate a professional conversation with your manager to explore the possibility. It's important to acknowledge that such provisions might not exist in sectors like mining or construction, so due diligence is crucial. Award-free employees Even without an Award or Enterprise Agreement, the Fair Work Act offers the opportunity to negotiate a public holiday substitution with your employer. While this path allows for more flexibility, success hinges on presenting a compelling and well-reasoned request.  Open communication and genuine justifications are key to securing employer approval. Remember, while your employer retains the right to decline, a professional approach can significantly increase your chances of securing that alternate day off. Employers' role in public holiday substitution As an employer, your role is critical in ensuring a fair and consistent approach to public holiday substitution requests. Carefully evaluating each request based on legitimate reasons and established criteria is paramount. Maintaining detailed records of each process is essential, and adhering to anti-discrimination principles is non-negotiable.  By fostering a workplace culture that values inclusivity and respects individual circumstances, you can create a harmonious environment where employees feel valued regardless of their desired holiday schedule. Reasons for substituting a public holiday While public holidays offer employees valuable respite, situations arise where substituting a day off presents strategic advantages. This section delves into the key reasons why employers might consider offering public holiday substitution options, fostering a mutually beneficial environment. Promoting cultural inclusion and employee value Australia's rich tapestry of cultures and religions necessitates acknowledging diverse calendars. Public holiday substitution empowers employees to celebrate significant religious or cultural observances not recognised on the national calendar. Enhancing employee well-being and retention Personal milestones and celebrations don't always align with statutory breaks. Offering substitution options grants employees flexibility to mark important life events like graduations and family responsibilities without sacrificing paid time off. This fosters positive employee relationships, improves morale, and enhances retention. Optimising operational efficiency (with caution) Strategic substitution can contribute to operational efficiency in specific industries like retail or tourism. By swapping a quieter public holiday for a busier period, employers can ensure adequate staffing levels, potentially boosting productivity and revenue. However, transparent communication, fair implementation, and strict adherence to employee consent are crucial to avoid legal implications and generating negative sentiment. Can you work on Australia Day? Australia Day, held annually on January 26, is a significant national public holiday. Employees may work on this day, often due to the nature of their industry (e.g., hospitality or emergency services) or personal choice. In such instances, the option to substitute the Australia Day public holiday for another day off is possible, subject to agreement with your employer. How to substitute a public holiday Employer-employee agreement: The primary step is reaching an agreement. Open dialogue about the desire or necessity to work on a public holiday and the preference for a substitute day is essential. Written agreement: While not mandatory, documenting the agreement in writing can prevent misunderstandings. This might include specifying the substitute day agreed upon. Consideration of requests: Employers are encouraged to consider requests for substitution fairly, keeping in mind operational requirements and the employee's reasons for the request. Communicate clearly: Clear communication about the arrangement to all stakeholders, including team members and HR departments, ensures smooth implementation. Case studies: Public holiday substitution in action How public holiday substitution can work in different industries.  Case study 1: Retail   A retail business operates on Australia Day due to high customer demand. The management offers employees the option to work on Australia Day with public holiday penalty rates and choose another day off as a substitute. This approach ensures operational efficiency while respecting employee preferences. Case study 2: IT An IT company requires a minimal staffing level during public holidays for essential operations. It negotiates with employees to work on a rotational basis during public holidays, offering substitute days off and ensuring everyone receives their entitled leave. Case study 3: Tourism  A regional tourism operator, facing fluctuating visitor numbers, allowed employees to substitute public holidays during quieter periods for busier times. This ensured adequate staffing during peak seasons, leading to improved customer service, increased revenue, and a win-win for both employees and the business. Substitution day policies While some employers substitute public holidays on a case-by-case basis, Peninsula advises establishing clear policies to avoid confusion. These policies can form part of an employee handbookand should outline the process for requesting a substitute day, the criteria for approval, and any limitations or conditions that apply. A well-defined policy ensures fairness and transparency, facilitating a positive workplace culture. Expert support for your workplace Navigating public holiday substitution requires a balanced approach, respecting both legal obligations and individual preferences. Peninsula is dedicated to providing expert guidance to Australian businesses and employees, ensuring a smooth process for substituting public holidays. For personalised advice and support on managing public holiday substitutions in your workplace, reach out to Peninsula. Let us help you create a flexible, compliant, and harmonious working environment.

Public Holidays

Easter Weekend 2025: Your guide to paying employees

The Easter holiday period remains one of the busiest of the year for business owners and employers. A long weekend means a time of relaxation and leisure for families, which correlates to an influx of consumers. This is good news for business owners and employers who have been battling a cost-of-living crisis, inflation, increased wages, and expenses. If you run a café, hospitality venue, or operate in the tourism industry, a public holiday may be your busiest time of year, and you will need all hands-on deck. What do you pay employees? Do they get time off? Can you even ask employees to work on public holidays? Easter holidays 2025 If your business is opening over the Easter holidays, you should be aware of the rules around employer obligations, and when shops are allowed to trade. Easter Dates: Good Friday 18 April is a public holiday in all states and territories. Easter Saturday 19 April is a public holiday in the ACT, NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, and the NT. It is not a public holiday in WA or TAS. Easter Sunday 20 April is a public holiday in the ACT, NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, the NT, and WA. It is not a public holiday in TAS. Easter Monday 21 April is a public holiday in all states and territories. Easter Tuesday 22 April is a unique public holiday that's only for certain Tasmanian public services. ANZAC Day 2025 ANZAC Day (25 April) this year falls on a Friday. If an employee would normally work on a Friday, they are entitled to public holiday rates for that day if they work. As there's only three work days between Easter Monday and ANZAC Day this year, many employers may have to deal with multiple leave requests from employees. *If ANZAC Day falls on a Sunday. If an employee would not normally work on a Sunday, then they’re entitled to a public holiday on the following Monday. This is due to Mondayisation entitlements. Asking employees to work on public holidays An employee can be made to work if the public holiday is observed on a day the employee would normally work and their employment agreement says they have to work on the public holiday. If the employee is made to work, there is a public holiday rate of pay which is time and a half and the employee will also get another paid day off later, otherwise known as a day in lieu. If an employee works a public holiday which is not a usual day they would work, the employee is entitled to time and a half. Roster your employees easily and quickly from your PC, tablet or phone with BrightHR. Employees don’t have to agree to work on Good Friday, Easter Monday or ANZAC Day, unless: these are days that the employee would have normally worked their employment contract says they have to work on the public holidays Easter trading rules Easter trading laws govern that shops cannot open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday or ANZAC Day (25 April) until 1 pm. However, there are some exceptions to Easter trading hours: Certain shops including dairies, service stations, takeaway bars, restaurants, cafes and souvenir stores can open with conditions limiting the goods they can sell, according to the type of store they are. Garden centres can only open on Easter Sunday. Pharmacies can open with no restrictions. Some shops have an area exemption, for example, tourist resorts. Some shops are covered by a city and district council Easter Sunday trading policy. These rules only apply to businesses that are shops as covered by the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990. Other businesses can open during the Easter and ANZAC holidays. Easter public holiday pay For public holidays, there are a number of things to work out: which day the public holiday will be observed for each employee if it’s a public holiday that might be Mondayised (or Tuesdayised) whether or not the day is an otherwise working day for the employee whether or not the employee will be working on the day how much the employee will be paid for the day whether the employee is entitled to an alternative holiday Public holiday rate of pay is time and a half. If the employee is made to work, there is a public holiday rate of pay which is time and a half for each hour worked. In certain circumstances, the employee will also get another paid day off later, otherwise known as a day in lieu or an alternative holiday. Misconception: ‘I already pay above the minimum wage, so I’m already covered for public holiday rates’ It’s great that you pay above the minimum wage, but it doesn’t automatically exempt you from paying public holiday rates. You still have to pay the public holiday rate for an employee who is working a public holiday, but you may be able to pay the employee a higher rate of pay to off-set a certain amount of public holidays, depending on the provisions in the applicable collective agreement and their employment contract. Easter weekend: What to pay? There is an added dimension to working on public holidays which can be best illustrated in the case of Easter and when employees work over this period. The public holidays for Easter are Good Friday and Easter Monday. Easter Sunday is different again as it is not a public holiday in all states. So if it's not a public holiday in your state, and your employee works, they are only entitled to their usual rate of Sunday pay. If the employee does not work on Easter Sunday, they are not entitled to a paid day. Keep in mind there are separate rules for shop employees. Employers of shop employees who want their employees to work on Easter Sunday must give them notice and the employee is allowed to refuse to work.

Public Holidays

Employee entitlements for public holidays in Victoria

One of the things most employees do is study the calendar to find the next public holiday so they can request annual leave for some extra time off or enjoy a long weekend. When it comes to public holidays, Victoria and the ACT lead the way with 13 each. For employers and business owners, there are certain obligations you must meet in relation to these public holidays. These will depend on your business type and industry. And there are certain public holidays that will affect all Aussie businesses. If you’re unsure of your public holiday obligations or employee wage rates, talk to specialist adviser at Peninsula. List of public holidays in Victoria for 2025. As Australia Day falls on Sunday 26 January 2025, the holiday is moved to Monday 27 January 2025. Employee entitlements on public holidays in Victoria All employees are entitled to public holidays under the National Employment Standards (NES). Full-time and part-time employees who are absent from work because of a public holiday must receive their base rate of pay for the hours they would have otherwise worked. Employees aren’t owed incentive-based payments, bonuses, overtime, penalty rates, loadings or monetary allowances. Employees are only entitled to payment if the public holiday falls on a day that they normally work. Casual employees only receive public holiday entitlements if they work on the public holiday. Employing staff on public holidays in Victoria If you employ staff on a public holiday, the employee may be entitled to: Penalty rates for each hour worked on that day. Time off in lieu. Equivalent time added to their annual leave for each hour worked on that day. Modern awards, enterprise agreements, and other registered agreements can provide entitlements for working public holidays, including: Extra pay. An extra day off or extra annual leave. Minimum shift lengths on public holidays. Agreeing to substitute a public holiday for another day. You can request staff to work on a public holiday if the request is reasonable. Whether the request is reasonable or not, will depend on the: Nature of the business. Employee’s personal circumstances, such as family responsibilities. Amount of notice you provide. An employee can refuse the request if it isn’t reasonable, or if they have a reasonable reason to refuse. Restricted trading days in Victoria Under Victorian law, there are two-and-a-half restricted trading days each year. Good Friday, Christmas Day, and ANZAC day between 12.01 am and 1.00 pm. On these days, only exempt shops are permitted to open. The Shop Trading Reform Act 1996 prohibits shops from trading on restricted trading days. The Act provides two separate ways in which a shop is exempt from restricted trading days and can operate. The specific types of shops that can open on restricted trading days are: Chemists Petrol stations Restaurants Cafes Takeaway outlets. A shop that meets a particular size criteria is also exempt: These have 20 or fewer persons employed in the shop at any time on a restricted trading day. The number of persons employed by the shop and its related entities is no more than 100 at any time during the 7 days immediately before the restricted trading day. ANZAC Day (25 April) has additional restrictions. Some businesses must not operate before 1.00pm, even if they’re exempt from other restricted trading days: Cinemas (whether indoor or outdoor). Other entertainment-for example, live dance or music events, concerts or plays. Real estate auctions. Businesses that are factories, warehouses or where any premises has any manufacturing process being carried out must be closed throughout ANZAC Day subject to the prescribed criteria in the ANZAC Day Act 1958. Sit back and relax The holiday season, public holidays, and long weekends mean enjoying good food and fun times with family and friends. If you’re a business owner or employer in Victoria, you need to know all the public holidays and appropriate employee entitlements to ensures you meet your legal obligations. Peninsula is committed to providing answers to your public holiday questions. Call our team for free initial advice.

Public Holidays

Public Holidays, Northern Territory 2025

Looking forward to the next public holiday Many employees flick through the calendar to find the dates of public holidays so they can request annual leave for some extra time off or to have an even longer, long weekend. When it comes to public holidays, Northern Territorians get to enjoy 12 state wide days, two part-day holidays, and various regional public holidays. As an employer or business owner, there are certain obligations you must meet in relation to public holidays. These will depend on your business type and industry. If you’re unsure of your public holiday obligations or employee wage rates, call and speak to a specialist adviser at Peninsula. List of state wide public holidays in the Northern Territory for 2025 Holiday Date in 2025 New Year's Day Wednesday 1 January Australia Day Monday 27 January Good Friday Friday 18 April Day following Good Friday Saturday 19 April Easter Sunday Sunday 20 April Easter Monday Monday 21 April ANZAC Day Friday 25 April May Day Monday 5 May King’s Birthday Monday 9 June Picnic Day Monday 4 August Christmas Eve* Wednesday 24 December Christmas Day Thursday 25 December Boxing Day Friday 26 December New Year’s Eve* Wednesday 31 December *In the Northern Territory, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are part-day public holidays (7 pm - midnight). List of regional public holidays in the Northern Territory for 2025 Holiday Date in 2025 Alice Springs Show Day Friday 4 July Tennant Creek Show Da Friday 11 July Katherine Show Da Friday 18 July Darwin Show Day Friday 25 July Borroloola Show Day Friday 15 August *As Australia Day falls on Sunday 26 January 2025, the holiday is moved to Monday 27 January 2025. Employee entitlements on public holidays in the NT All employees are entitled to public holidays under the National Employment Standards (NES). Full-time and part-time employees absent from work because of a public holiday must receive their base rate of pay for the hours they would have worked had it not been a public holiday. Employees are not owed incentive-based payments, bonuses, overtime, penalty rates, loadings or monetary allowances. Employees are only entitled to payment if the public holiday falls on a day they normally work. Casual employees only receive public holiday entitlements if they work on the public holiday. Employing staff on public holidays in the NT If you employ staff on a public holiday, the employee may be entitled to: Penalty rates for each hour worked that day. Time off in lieu (an extra day off). Equivalent time added to their annual leave for each hour worked that day. Modern awards, enterprise agreements, and other registered agreements can provide entitlements for working public holidays, including: Extra pay. An extra day off or extra annual leave. Minimum shift lengths on public holidays. Agreeing to substitute a public holiday for another day. You can request staff to work on a public holiday if the request is reasonable.Whether the request is reasonable or not, will depend on the: Nature of the business. Employee’s personal circumstances, such as family responsibilities. Amount of notice you provide. An employee can refuse the request if it isn’t reasonable, or if they have a reasonable reason to refuse. Sit back and relax The holiday season, public holidays, and long weekends mean enjoying good food and fun times with family and friends. If you’re a business owner or employer in the Northern Territory, you need to know all the public holidays and appropriate employee entitlements to ensure you meet your legal obligations. Peninsula is committed to providing answers to your public holiday questions. Call our team for free initial advice.

Public Holidays in Queensland 2025

Enjoying extra sunshine in the sunshine state

List of Public Holidays in Queensland (QLD) for 2025

Show holidays in Queensland in 2025

Employee entitlements on public holidays in Queensland

Shutdowns and leave entitlements

Trading on public holidays in Queensland

Public Holidays in Queensland which are not closed days:

Exemptions to restricted trading days in Queensland

Enjoying some extra holiday time

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Related Blog Posts

Public Holidays in Tasmania 2025

Public Holiday Substitution in Australia

Easter Weekend 2025: Your guide to paying employees

Employee entitlements for public holidays in Victoria

Public Holidays, Northern Territory 2025

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