There’s a good reason people keep searching for “public holidays SA 2025” — the two-letter abbreviation leads to two completely different holiday calendars. This dual guide lays out both calendars side by side, so you know exactly what’s a day off and what’s not, wherever you are.
Public holidays in South Africa (2025): 12 ·
Public holidays in South Australia (2025): 13 ·
Most public holidays in Australia (2025): 13 (ACT, SA) ·
Christmas Eve pay rule in South Australia: Partial holiday – double time after 9pm ·
New Year’s Day common to both: 1 January
Quick snapshot
- South Africa has 12 public holidays per the Public Holidays Act (South African Government)
- South Australia has 13 public holidays in 2025 (SA Government)
- ACT and South Australia tie for most Australian state holidays at 13 (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Whether certain Easter observances (e.g., Easter Monday) apply in all Australian states – varies
- Exact penalty rates for Christmas Eve before 9pm in South Australia depend on individual awards
- Possibility of new holidays declared after publication – always subject to change
- Exact definition of ‘statewide’ vs ‘regional’ holidays in South Australia – varies by source
- 1 Jan – New Year’s Day (both)
- 18 Apr – Good Friday (both)
- 27 Apr – Freedom Day (South Africa, observed 28 Apr)
- 25 Apr – Anzac Day (Australia)
- 25 Dec – Christmas Day (both)
Here are the key figures at a glance:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| South Africa total holidays | 12 |
| South Australia total holidays | 13 |
| Most holidays in Australia (state) | ACT & SA (13) |
| Christmas Eve partial holiday in SA | Yes – double time after 9pm |
| New Year’s Day common | Yes, both regions |
| Australia Day (SA) | Monday 27 January 2025 |
What is the holiday calendar for 2025 in South Africa?
List of official public holidays in South Africa 2025
- 1 January – New Year’s Day
- 21 March – Human Rights Day
- 18 April – Good Friday
- 21 April – Family Day
- 27 April – Freedom Day (observed Monday 28 April) (APSO)
- 1 May – Workers’ Day
- 16 June – Youth Day
- 9 August – National Women’s Day
- 24 September – Heritage Day
- 16 December – Day of Reconciliation
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Day of Goodwill
South Africans get 12 official holidays, but when a holiday falls on a weekend (like National Women’s Day on Saturday), there’s no extra day off — meaning only 11 weekday holidays in 2025. The South African Government (official public holidays portal) confirms the list.
Dates and day of the week for each holiday
Most fall on weekdays, but Freedom Day (Sunday) shifts to Monday 28 April, giving a long weekend. Heritage Day (Wednesday) and Day of Reconciliation (Tuesday) sit midweek. The pattern: no back-to-back holidays except Christmas and Day of Goodwill, which create a two-day break.
Background notes on each holiday
- Human Rights Day (21 Mar) commemorates the 1960 Sharpeville massacre.
- Freedom Day (27 Apr) marks the first democratic elections in 1994.
- Workers’ Day (1 May) is the equivalent of Labour Day in many countries.
- Heritage Day (24 Sep) celebrates South African culture and is popularly known as “Braai Day.”
The implication: South Africa’s holiday calendar is stable and rooted in political and historical milestones, not subject to regional variation within the country.
How many public holidays are there in South Australia in 2025?
Complete list of South Australia public holidays 2025
- 1 January – New Year’s Day
- 27 January – Australia Day (Monday) – creates a long weekend (AustLII – Public Holidays Act 1936 (SA))
- 10 March – Labour Day (Monday)
- 18 April – Good Friday
- 19 April – Easter Saturday
- 21 April – Easter Monday
- 25 April – Anzac Day (Friday)
- 5 May – Adelaide Cup Day (Monday, metropolitan Adelaide only) (SA Government (state holiday portal))
- 9 June – King’s Birthday (Monday; also Proclamation Day in Adelaide region)
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Proclamation Day (observed) / Boxing Day
- 24 December – Christmas Eve (partial holiday from 7pm, double time after 9pm) (SA Government – Partial Holidays Manual)
Note: Some sources count 11 statewide + 2 regional (Adelaide Cup, Proclamation Day) for a total of 13.
South Australians get two extra holidays compared to most other Australian states, but one of them (Adelaide Cup Day) doesn’t apply outside the capital. Anyone working in regional SA should check local proclamations with the SA Government (workplace regulator).
Public holidays vs school holidays
School holidays in South Australia are set separately by the Department for Education. In 2025, term breaks run from 5–21 April (coinciding with Easter) and 29 September–13 October. The public holidays within those periods add extra days off for families.
The pattern: South Australia’s calendar mixes national observances (Australia Day, Anzac Day) with state-specific traditions (Adelaide Cup, Proclamation Day), giving it the highest holiday count in the country alongside the ACT.
Which state in Australia has the most public holidays in 2025?
State-by-state public holiday counts
Nine states and territories, one clear pattern: the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia top the list with 13 public holidays each.
| State/Territory | Number of public holidays (2025) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | 13 | Fair Work Ombudsman (national regulator) |
| South Australia | 13 | SA Government |
| Victoria | 12 | Fair Work Ombudsman |
| New South Wales | 11 | Fair Work Ombudsman |
| Queensland | 10 | Fair Work Ombudsman |
| Western Australia | 10 | Fair Work Ombudsman |
| Tasmania | 11 | Fair Work Ombudsman |
| Northern Territory | 11 | Fair Work Ombudsman |
Why some states have more holidays: regional holidays like Adelaide Cup Day, Canberra Day (ACT), and the Queen’s Birthday (observed on different dates) push counts higher. For a detailed breakdown of the ACT calendar, read our guide: ACT Public Holidays – 2025 Dates Full List and Rules.
The catch: “most holidays” doesn’t automatically mean the best for workers — partial holidays and penalty rates vary. South Australia’s 13 counts include Christmas Eve as a partial day with special pay rules.
Is Christmas Eve double pay in South Australia?
Christmas Eve employment rules in South Australia
Yes, Christmas Eve is a partial public holiday in South Australia. Under the SA Government Partial Public Holidays Manual, employees who work after 9pm on 24 December are entitled to double time. Work before 9pm is paid at normal rates unless an enterprise agreement or award specifies otherwise.
Partial public holiday status
- Christmas Eve is a public holiday from 7pm to midnight.
- After 9pm: penalty rate of 200% (double time) applies.
- Before 7pm: normal working day — no penalty.
This is unique to South Australia. Other states treat Christmas Eve as a normal day or have different award‑based arrangements. Employers should check the SA Government (employment standards portal) for the latest updates.
The implication: for hospitality and retail workers, the post‑9pm pay bump is significant — but it only applies in SA. Anyone planning a late‑night Christmas shop needs to factor in the employer’s duty to pay double time.
What are the Australian holidays for 2025?
National public holidays across Australia in 2025
Seven public holidays are observed nationwide: New Year’s Day (1 Jan), Australia Day (27 Jan), Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), Anzac Day (25 Apr), Christmas Day (25 Dec), and Boxing Day (26 Dec). The Fair Work Ombudsman (Australia’s national workplace regulator) confirms this core set.
State and territory variations
- Queen’s Birthday / King’s Birthday: observed in all states except WA and QLD, on different dates (SA: 9 Jun).
- Labour Day: varies – SA on 10 Mar, NSW/ACT on 6 Oct, etc.
- Regional holidays: Adelaide Cup (SA), Canberra Day (ACT), Ekka (QLD), etc.
The trade-off: while national holidays are fixed, each state adds its own flavour. South Australia’s Proclamation Day (26 Dec) doubles as Boxing Day, giving a two‑day Christmas break. For related seasonal planning, see Mother’s Day 2025: Dates, Flowers, and Trending Gift Ideas.
Timeline: Key public holidays in 2025 for both regions
- 1 January 2025 – New Year’s Day (both)
- 21 March 2025 – Human Rights Day (South Africa)
- 10 March 2025 – Labour Day (South Australia)
- 18 April 2025 – Good Friday (both)
- 21 April 2025 – Family Day (SA) / Easter Monday (Australia)
- 25 April 2025 – Anzac Day (Australia)
- 27 April 2025 – Freedom Day (South Africa, observed 28 Apr)
- 1 May 2025 – Workers’ Day (South Africa)
- 5 May 2025 – Adelaide Cup Day (SA, metropolitan)
- 16 June 2025 – Youth Day (South Africa)
- 9 August 2025 – National Women’s Day (South Africa)
- 24 September 2025 – Heritage Day (South Africa)
- 16 December 2025 – Day of Reconciliation (South Africa)
- 25 December 2025 – Christmas Day (both)
- 26 December 2025 – Day of Goodwill (SA) / Boxing Day (Australia)
Source: Official government portals for South Africa and South Australia.
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- South Africa has 12 public holidays as per the Public Holidays Act (Act 36 of 1994). (South African Government)
- South Australia has 13 public holidays in 2025 (SA Government – SafeWork SA)
- Christmas Eve is a partial public holiday in South Australia with double time after 9pm.
- ACT and South Australia have the most public holidays in Australia (13 each). (Fair Work Ombudsman)
What’s unclear
- Whether certain holidays (e.g., Easter Monday) are observed in all Australian states – varies.
- Exact penalty rates for Christmas Eve before 9pm – depends on award.
- If any new holidays will be declared after publication – always subject to change.
- Exact definition of ‘statewide’ vs ‘regional’ holidays in South Australia – varies by source.
The pattern: South Australia offers more holidays but with regional caveats; South Africa’s calendar is uniform and stable.
Expert perspectives
The Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 sets the 12 official public holidays for South Africa.
South African Government (official public holidays portal)
South Australia’s 2025 public holidays are declared under the Public Holidays Act 1936 (SA), varying by region with 10-13 days depending on local proclamations.
SA Government (workplace regulator)
National public holidays for 2025 are published by the Fair Work Ombudsman and include seven nationwide days plus state variations.
Fair Work Ombudsman (Australia’s national workplace regulator)
The implication: official sources are consistent; travellers and employers should rely on state-specific proclamations for South Australia.
Whether you’re planning a trip across the Indian Ocean or just trying to figure out which days the kids are off school, the confusion between “SA” as South Africa and South Australia is real — and costly if you misread the calendar. South Africa gives you 12 stable, history‑rooted holidays; South Australia gives you 13 with regional quirks and a partial Christmas Eve that pays double after 9pm. For the traveller or remote worker straddling both, the clear action is to download both official lists and mark your calendar before January hits.
leavetrackapp.com, officeholidays.com, fsacci.com, flightcentre.co.za, en.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
When is Good Friday in South Africa 2025?
Good Friday falls on 18 April 2025. The date is shared with South Australia and most Christian‑observing countries.
Does South Australia observe Easter Tuesday?
No. South Australia observes Good Friday, Easter Saturday, and Easter Monday, but not Easter Tuesday.
Is Boxing Day a public holiday in South Australia?
Yes, 26 December is Proclamation Day in South Australia, which doubles as Boxing Day and is a full public holiday.
What is Proclamation Day in South Australia?
Proclamation Day (26 December) commemorates the proclamation of South Australia as a British province in 1836. It’s observed only in SA.
How many public holidays does Queensland have in 2025?
Queensland has 10 public holidays in 2025, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Are public holidays paid leave in South Africa?
Yes, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act requires that employees receive paid leave on all 12 official public holidays unless they normally work on that day.
Can I be required to work on a public holiday in South Australia?
Employers can ask, but employees may refuse unless the request is reasonable under the Fair Work Act. Penalty rates apply for work performed on public holidays.
Rachel Bennett leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Coast Monitor.