USD
How to Maximise Your Annual Leave in 2025
Written by Annabel Fuller
We reveal how to maximise your annual leave: plan things right and you can more than double your entitlement for 2025.
Too many places to travel, too little leave? If you’re already scanning the 2025 calendar, dreaming of sunny getaways or indulgent long weekends in the city, you’re certainly not the only one. Here’s the best part with some strategic planning, you can combine weekends, days off and Australia’s generous public holiday schedule to double your time away from work. Early planning also gives you the perfect excuse to rally your friends and family, ensuring everyone can join you for unforgettable holiday adventures without blowing the leave balance.
There are a total of seven national public holidays in Australia that fall on a weekday during 2025:
- Wednesday, 1 January 2025: New Year’s Day
- Monday, 27 January 2025: Australia Day
- Friday, 18 April 2025: Good Friday
- Monday, 21 April 2025: Easter Monday
- Friday, 25 April 2025: Anzac Day
- Thursday, 25 December 2025: Christmas Day
- Friday, 26 December 2025: Boxing Day
Nationally, the best options for extended leave revolve around the following periods:
Time off work includes weekends before and after your leave dates.
Australia Day (Monday, 27 January):
- Take 28–31 January off (four days of annual leave)
- When to travel: 25 January–2nd February
- Total time off work: nine days
Easter and Anzac Day (Friday, 18 April; Monday, 21 April; Friday, 25 April):
- Take 14–17 April and 22–24 April off (seven days of annual leave)
- When to travel: 12–27 April
- Total time off work: 16 days
King’s Birthday (Monday, 9 June)
Please note that Western Australia and Queensland will receive the Kings Birthday public holiday on Monday, 29 September and Monday, 6 October, respectively.
For the rest of the country:
- Take 10–13 June off (four days of annual leave)
- When to travel: 7 June – 15 June
- Total time off work: Nine days
Labour Day
In Western Australia, Labour Day is celebrated on the first Monday in March. In Victoria and Tasmania, where it is known as Eight Hours Day, it takes place on the second Monday in March. In the Northern Territory (referred to as May Day) and Queensland, it is observed on the first Monday in May. New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia mark the holiday on the first Monday in October.
- Take Tuesday – Friday off (four days of annual leave)
- Total time off work: Nine days
Christmas and New Year (Thursday, 25 December; Friday, 26 December; Thursday, 1 January 2026):
- Take 29–31 December 2025 and 2–3 January 2026 off (five days of annual leave)
- When to travel: 25 December–4 January
- Total time off work: 12 days
Each state also has unique public holidays. Here’s how you can maximise your days off, state by state.
Maximise your annual leave in the Australian Capital Territory
Canberra Day (Monday, 10 March):
- Take 11–14 March off (four days of annual leave)
- When to travel: 8–16 March
- Total time off work: Nine days
Reconciliation Day (Monday, 26 May):
- Take 27–30 May off (four days of annual leave)
- When to travel: 24 May–1 June
- Total time off work: Nine days
With clever math, Canberrans can turn 11 weekday public holidays and the standard 20 days of annual leave into 46 days off work. Why not celebrate Canberra Day in with a stay at Jamala Wildlife Lodge – Australia’s very own luxury safari hotel?
Maximise your annual leave in the Northern Territory
Picnic Day (Monday, 4 August):
- Take 5–8 August off (four days of annual leave)
- When to travel: 2–10 August
- Total time off work: Nine days
Transform 14-weekday public holidays and 20 days of annual leave into 49 days off, giving you a perfect chance to explore the breathtaking Red Centre with a getaway to the luxurious Sails in the Desert.
Maximise your annual leave in South Australia
Adelaide Cup Day (Monday, 10 March):
- Take 11–14 March off (four days of annual leave)
- When to travel: 8–16 March
- Total time off work: Nine days
Take 12 weekday public holidays and 20 days of annual leave and turn it into 46 days off.
Looking for the perfect weekend escape? Frequently heralded as one of the world’s top luxury lodges, Kangaroo Island’s Southern Ocean Lodge has reopened with elevated luxuries, redefining the gold standard for experiential travel.
Maximise your annual leave in Tasmania
Hobart Show Day (Thursday, 23 October):
- Take 20–22 and 24 October off (four days of annual leave)
- When to travel: 18 – 26 October
- Total time off work: Nine days
Turn 12 weekday public holidays and 20 days of annual leave into 46 days off. Please note that the Hobart Show Day is reserved for residents of the Hobart area and surrounding regions only.
Maximise your annual leave in Victoria
Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday, 4 November):
- Take 3 November and 5–7 November off (four days of annual leave)
- When to travel: 1–9 November
- Total time off work: Nine days
With 11 weekday public holidays, Victorians can turn 20 days of annual leave into 46 days off. Escape the chaos of Melbourne Cup and hop across the pond to discover laidback luxury on Fiji’s phenomenal sands. Spend nine days in the sun, surf and sand on a family-friendly stay at Malolo Island Resort.
Maximise your annual leave in Western Australia
Western Australia Day (Monday, 2 June):
- Take 3–6 June off (four days of annual leave)
- When to travel: 31 May–8 June
- Total time off work: Nine days
Western Australia has 10 weekday public holidays in 2025, slightly fewer than the other states, but still offering plenty of potential. In combination with 20 days of annual leave, people in the state can enjoy 46 days off.
Maximise your annual leave in New South Wales
In New South Wales, there are 10 weekday public holidays to take advantage of in 2025. Take those holidays and add 20 days of annual leave to obtain up to 46 days off work, perhaps using two and a half weeks over Easter to rest and recharge in Bali.
Maximise your annual leave in Queensland
Queenslanders have 11 weekday public holidays to look forward to in 2025. Why not add 20 days of annual leave to create 46 days off, then escape the winter blues with a journey up north to the award-winning InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, an IHG Hotel on the Kings Birthday long weekend. Please note, the Brisbane show holiday is reserved for residents of the Brisbane area only.
After more inspiration? Check out From Outback to Island: Where to Have the Ultimate Escape in Queensland.
Feature image: Essence Peregian Beach, Sunshine Coast.
