NSW Public Holidays 2026: Sydney Dates, Bank Holiday & Long Weekends

In Australia, the constitutional power over public holidays rests with individual states and territories rather than the federal government. New South Wales establishes its public holidays under Section 4 of the Public Holidays Act 2010. Unlike states like Western Australia or Tasmania, NSW officially enacts both Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday as standalone statewide public holidays.

This statutory framework ensures that workers rostered on weekends during Easter or Christmas receive public holiday penalty rates under their respective Modern Awards and Fair Work regulations.

Historically, Anzac Day (April 25) did not automatically attract a substitute weekday holiday in NSW if it fell on a Saturday or Sunday, leaving workers without a long weekend. In February 2026, the NSW Government announced a major policy reform and gazetted the Public Holidays Amendment (Anzac Day) Order 2026.

This executive order declared Monday 27 April 2026 and Monday 26 April 2027 as official public holidays across the entire State of NSW, aligning employee entitlements with national commemoration and giving workers a guaranteed 3-day autumn long weekend.

NSW Bank Holiday falls on the first Monday in August (3 August 2026). It is declared under Schedule 1 of the Public Holidays Act 2010. Crucially, it is not a general statewide public holiday for all employees. It applies strictly to banks and financial institutions, as well as specific public sector and award-covered employees whose enterprise bargaining agreements explicitly preserve the day.

Standard offices, schools, universities, transport services, restaurants, and retail stores operate as usual on Bank Holiday across Sydney and regional NSW.

Labour Day occurs in October in NSW, South Australia, and the ACT, whereas Victoria celebrates Labour Day in March, and Queensland in May. King’s Birthday is observed in June across NSW and Victoria, but celebrated in October in Queensland and late September in Western Australia.

Victoria also enjoys iconic state-specific days like Melbourne Cup Day and AFL Grand Final Friday, which are ordinary working days in Sydney.

Under Fair Work Australia regulations, employees required to work on official NSW public holidays typically earn public holiday penalty rates ranging between 200% and 250% of the standard hourly rate depending on the relevant Award.

Additionally, under the Retail Trading Act 2008 (NSW), Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day (before 1pm), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day have restricted shop trading conditions. Major supermarkets and department stores must remain closed or adhere to strict exemption rules.