Act Public Holidays – 2025 Dates Full List and Rules

Public holidays in the Australian Capital Territory operate under the Holidays Act 1958 (ACT), establishing specific dates when businesses close and employees receive entitlements. The territory maintains 13 annual public holidays, combining national observances with unique local celebrations such as Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day.

Unlike standard calendars, ACT public holidays include the full Easter weekend—Friday through Monday—plus Easter Saturday and Sunday as distinct paid observances. The ACT Government publishes official dates annually through the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate, with 2025 dates already confirmed via official gazette.

This examination covers confirmed dates for 2024 through 2026, explains entitlements under federal workplace law, and clarifies how ACT arrangements differ from neighbouring New South Wales.

What are the public holidays in the ACT?

The ACT holiday calendar combines nationwide observances with territory-specific commemorations. Canberra Day celebrates the city’s founding on the first Monday in March, while Reconciliation Day acknowledges the 1967 referendum anniversary on the Monday nearest 27 May.

• Canberra Day falls exclusively on the first Monday in March, commemorating the city’s 1913 establishment
• Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday carry public holiday status in the ACT, unlike several other jurisdictions
• Reconciliation Day shifts to the nearest Monday when 27 May does not fall on that day
• Australia Day observance moves to Monday when 26 January falls on a weekend
• The ACT recognises 13 public holidays in 2025, including four consecutive Easter dates
• Boxing Day creates a four-day Christmas weekend in 2025, falling on Friday 26 December

What are the ACT public holidays for 2024?

Complete official documentation for 2024 public holidays remains unavailable in current government releases, though patterns follow established legislative frameworks. Easter 2024 occurred earlier in the calendar year than 2025 dates, with Good Friday falling in late March.

National observances in 2024

Standard national holidays including Australia Day, Anzac Day, and the Christmas period operated under standard observance rules throughout 2024. When Australia Day fell on a weekend, the ACT observed the holiday on the following Monday, consistent with Fair Work Act guidelines.

Territory-specific dates

Canberra Day 2024 occurred on 11 March, following the first Monday in March pattern. Reconciliation Day followed on 27 May or the nearest Monday, though specific 2024 gazette notices were not located in available government archives.

ACT public holidays for 2025

The official ACT Government gazette confirms 13 public holidays for 2025, with Australia Day and Reconciliation Day shifted to accommodate weekend dates.

Easter weekend arrangements

April 2025 features four consecutive public holidays beginning with Good Friday on 18 April. Easter Saturday (19 April) and Easter Sunday (20 April) maintain distinct status in the ACT, followed by Easter Monday on 21 April—a configuration that exceeds Easter entitlements in several other Australian jurisdictions.

Unique ACT observances

Canberra Day arrives on 10 March 2025, marking the territory’s only holiday commemorating the city’s establishment. Reconciliation Day shifts to Monday 2 June 2025, as the anniversary date of 27 May falls on a Tuesday. King’s Birthday follows on Monday 9 June, creating a cluster of mid-winter holidays.

How do ACT public holidays differ from other states like NSW?

While the ACT shares nine national holidays with New South Wales, significant territorial variations exist in Easter weekend coverage and unique local observances. The Fair Work Ombudsman notes these differences affect employees working across state borders.

Is Picnic Day observed in the ACT?

Picnic Day does not appear on ACT public holiday schedules. This observance, occurring on the first Monday in August, operates exclusively in the Northern Territory. The ACT Government holiday calendar confirms no equivalent August holiday exists for the territory.

Are public holidays paid in the ACT?

Public holiday entitlements in the ACT derive from the federal Fair Work Act 2009, administered by the Fair Work Ombudsman. These rules apply uniformly across the territory regardless of specific employer location.

Permanent employee entitlements

Full-time and part-time employees receive paid time off at their base rate when rostered to work on a public holiday, even if the business closes. Employment standards require this payment irrespective of whether the employee was scheduled to work that particular day.

Casual worker provisions

Casual employees do not receive paid leave for public holidays. Instead, they are entitled to penalty rates—typically 25% above the casual base rate—when working on these dates. Employers cannot compel casual staff to work public holidays without mutual agreement.

Bank holidays explained

The first Monday in August serves as a bank holiday in the ACT, restricting banking operations only. General employees do not receive this as a public holiday unless specific employment awards or agreements provide otherwise. Standard retail and commercial sectors remain operational.

How do ACT public holidays unfold through the year?

1. 1 January 2025: New Year’s Day (Wednesday) — ACT Calendar
2. 27 January 2025: Australia Day observed (Monday)
3. 10 March 2025: Canberra Day (Monday)
4. 18 April 2025: Good Friday
5. 19 April 2025: Easter Saturday
6. 21 April 2025: Easter Monday
7. 2 June 2025: Reconciliation Day (Monday)
8. 9 June 2025: King’s Birthday (Monday)
9. 6 October 2025: Labour Day (Monday)
10. 25 December 2025: Christmas Day (Thursday)

What dates are confirmed versus provisional?

Why does the ACT maintain unique public holidays?

Canberra Day commemorates the official naming and establishment of Canberra on 12 March 1913, when Lady Denman announced the city’s name during foundation ceremonies. This observance, unique to the national capital, celebrates the territory’s distinct administrative history separate from New South Wales. The holiday provides residents with a mid-autumn break distinct from the Labour Day long weekend observed elsewhere.

Reconciliation Day emerged more recently, aligning with the anniversary of the 1967 referendum that enabled the Australian Government to make laws for Aboriginal people. The ACT specifically observes this day to acknowledge Indigenous history and the ongoing reconciliation process, positioning the territory ahead of jurisdictions lacking such dedicated recognition. These local observances, combined with extended Easter provisions, reflect the ACT’s hybrid status as both national capital and self-governing territory.

Similar to how Suburban Rail Loop – Route Timeline Cost Guide documents infrastructure planning specific to Victoria, ACT holiday legislation addresses territory-specific administrative needs while maintaining national standards.

Official documentation and legal basis

Public holidays in the ACT are prescribed by the Holidays Act 1958 (ACT). The Act provides for public holidays and substitutes for public holidays that fall on weekends.

— ACT Government Legislation

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to be absent from their employment on a day that is a public holiday and be paid at their base rate of pay for the ordinary hours they would have worked.

— Fair Work Act 2009, Division 2

What are the key points for ACT workers?

The ACT maintains 13 public holidays annually, including two territory-specific observances—Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day—plus full Easter weekend coverage extending from Good Friday through Easter Monday. Workers should verify specific entitlements through the Fair Work Ombudsman, while employers must consult the official ACT Government gazette for confirmed dates. Those planning family activities might find resources like 7 Seater Cars – Best Family Picks for 2024 useful when coordinating around these holiday periods.

Common questions about ACT public holidays