Millions of individuals in Australia might enjoy an additional day off work next year, as per government hints. The upcoming Anzac Day holiday on April 25 falls on a Saturday for the first time since 2020, which means many Australians won’t have a work or school break. However, residents in New South Wales (NSW) could see a change as the state premier, Chris Minns, is discussing the possibility of introducing a new public holiday due to the Saturday Anzac Day.
Anzac Day is a significant day of remembrance in Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga, honoring those who served in wars and peacekeeping missions. While commemorative services will still take place nationwide on April 25, only Western Australia and the ACT currently have an extra public holiday on the following Monday.
State premier Minns expressed that NSW is lacking in public holidays compared to other states and emphasized the importance of recognizing and honoring Anzac Day. The government is in talks with the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) regarding the potential additional day off.
Public holidays in Australia vary by state, with NSW having fewer holidays compared to other states. In 2026, NSW will observe 12 standard statewide public holidays, whereas other states like Victoria will enjoy 14 holidays. Each state has its specific holidays, contributing to the overall disparity in the number of days off across Australia.
Minns highlighted the importance of maintaining the significance of Anzac Day on the 25th itself and indicated that discussions are ongoing to address public holiday arrangements for both the current and upcoming years. The NSW government is striving to balance the need for additional holidays while honoring the historical and national importance of Anzac Day.
