How to Make the Most of Your Annual Leave in 2025
Want to maximize your annual leave and enjoy longer breaks in 2025? With some clever planning around public holidays, you can turn just a few leave days into epic stretches of time off. Here’s how to do it, with a focus on Australia-wide opportunities and state-specific tips!
Key Public Holidays Across Australia in 2025
Here are the public holidays that everyone in Australia gets:
New Year’s Day: Wednesday, 1 January
Australia Day: Monday, 27 January
Good Friday: Friday, 18 April
Easter Monday: Monday, 21 April
Anzac Day: Friday, 25 April
Christmas Day: Thursday, 25 December
Boxing Day: Friday, 26 December
By combining your annual leave with these holidays, you can stretch your time off significantly. Let’s look at the best ways to plan!
Australia-Wide Opportunities
Easter and Anzac Day (April)
This is a golden opportunity in 2025. Take advantage of Good Friday (18 April), Easter Monday (21 April), and Anzac Day (25 April), which all fall close together.
Take 4 days off (22–25 April) and enjoy a massive 10-day break from 18–27 April.
Perfect for a mid-year getaway or some serious rest and relaxation.
Christmas and New Year
The holiday season is always a winner for stretching your annual leave.
Take 5 days off (29 December–2 January) and enjoy 12 days off from 25 December to 5 January 2026.
This combines Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day into one long, festive holiday!
State-by-State Tips
While the above dates work for everyone, some states have extra public holidays that can help you stretch your leave even further.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Reconciliation Day: Monday, 2 June. Take Friday, 30 May for a 4-day weekend.
Labour Day: Monday, 6 October. Use Friday, 3 October for another 4-day break.
New South Wales (NSW)
Labour Day: Monday, 6 October. Take Friday, 3 October for a long weekend.
Northern Territory (NT)
May Day: Monday, 5 May. Use Friday, 2 May for a 4-day weekend.
Picnic Day: Monday, 4 August. Take Friday, 1 August for another long break.
Queensland (QLD)
Labour Day: Monday, 5 May. Use Friday, 2 May for a 4-day weekend.
Ekka Holiday (Brisbane): Wednesday, 13 August. Take 4 days (11, 12, 14, and 15 August) to turn it into a 9-day break.
South Australia (SA)
Adelaide Cup Day: Monday, 10 March. Use Friday, 7 March for a 4-day weekend.
Tasmania (TAS)
Eight Hours Day: Monday, 10 March. Take Friday, 7 March for a long weekend.
Recreation Day (Northern TAS): Monday, 3 November. Use Friday, 31 October for a 4-day break.
Victoria (VIC)
Labour Day: Monday, 10 March. Take Friday, 7 March for a long weekend.
Melbourne Cup Day: Tuesday, 4 November. Take Monday, 3 November and Wednesday, 5 November for a 5-day break.
Western Australia (WA)
Labour Day: Monday, 3 March. Take Friday, 28 February for a 4-day weekend.
WA Day: Monday, 2 June. Use Friday, 30 May for another long weekend.
Tips for Maximizing Your Leave
Plan Early: Everyone loves a good long weekend, so get your leave requests in ASAP.
Use Long Weekends: A single leave day can stretch a 3-day weekend into 4 days.
Spread It Out: If you can, plan mini-breaks throughout the year instead of using all your leave at once.
Be Strategic: Combine leave with quieter work periods to avoid falling behind.
By aligning your annual leave with public holidays, you can enjoy extended breaks without using up all your leave days. Whether it’s a relaxing staycation, a family visit, or a big overseas trip, 2025 is full of opportunities to make your leave work harder for you.
Start planning now and enjoy more time for YOU! 🌟