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New public holiday teased for eight million people poised to get extra day off work

Millions of people may get an extra day off despite a major holiday falling on a weekend for 2026 - talks are now underway for changes to be made, according to a government official

[Residents across one Australian state may be afforded an extra day of fun in the sun for 2026.]

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Residents across one Australian state may be afforded an extra day of fun in the sun for 2026.(Image: Getty Images/Westend61)

Millions of people may bag themselves an extra day off work next year, the government has teased.

For the first time since 2020, the Australian Anzac Day holiday on April 25 does not fall during the week. This means the majority of people Down Under won't get the day off from work or school - but that could be about to change for one Australian state.

For those living in the state of New South Wales (NSW) - the state that plays host to the iconic Sydney Harbour, Bondi Beach, and Sydney Opera House - state premier Chris Minns has revealed that his government is in talks with the powers that be to create a new public holiday due to Anzac Day falling on a Saturday.

Remembrance services will still be held across Australia on 25 April, but only people in Western Australia and the ACT will get an additional public holiday on the next Monday. At the moment, anyway.

[NSW hopes to enjoy an additional day off for 2026.]

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NSW hopes to enjoy an additional day off for 2026.(Image: Getty Images)

Its not just this year, its next year as well that you dont get the day off, Mr Minns told Triple M radio listeners. And we [NSW] are underserved when it comes to public holidays, theres a lot more in every other state.

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia, New Zealand and Tonga that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served", as per the Australian War Memorial.

The day sees people participate in a day not dissimilar from the UKs Remembrance Sunday. Australia does also commemorate its own Remembrance Day on November 11, but unlike Anzac Day, it is not a public holiday, regardless of the day of the week.

Anzac Day sees the antipodean nations allowed to play two-up, a coin-tossing game traditionally played in pubs and clubs throughout Australia on Anzac Day, to mark a shared experience with the nation's Diggers (soldiers). Two-up is generally illegal in Australia under various state laws as it is considered unregulated gambling. However, exceptions allow it to be played legally on Anzac Day and sometimes Remembrance Day or Victory in the Pacific Day, primarily at RSL clubs or authorised venues.

[A man playing two-up in an Australian pub on Anzac Day, 2011.]

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A man playing two-up in an Australian pub on Anzac Day, 2011. (Image: Newtown grafitti/Flickr)

The NSW State Premier told radio listeners that the extra day off has not yet been set in stone as his government remains in talks with the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL).

Now, Im not committing to that today because I think that this is a decision that weve got to make with the RSL in particular, he said. "And weve got a lot of veterans I think most people have got a lot of reverence for Anzac Day, they respect it. They recognise that its a time it really is our national day when we respect people whove died for the country.

The NSW government is now discussing public holiday plans for both this year and next year, Mr Minns said.

When it comes to public holidays, theres a lot more in every other state," he said, adding to Triple M: "So I can say to you guys, were going to have a conversation about it for this year.

The head of the NSW state government added he did not want a Monday public holiday to detract from the usual significance of Anzac Day, on a Saturday this year.

[File image of NSW Premier Chris Minns, taken during a press conference in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.]

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File image of NSW Premier Chris Minns, taken during a press conference in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.(Image: NSW Police)

And Id hate for that to happen, and everyone kind of goes, Ah, sort of commemorate it on the Monday we cant do that. Its got to be the 25th thats hugely important. But, yeah, were going to have a look at it," he said.

Public holidays - or bank holidays, as they are known in the UK - are governed on a state-by-state basis in Australia. The number of public holidays in NSW has long been a bone of contention for the public across the Australian state, with NSW typically giving residents fewer days off than other states in Australia.

In 2026, NSW will have 12 standard statewide public holidays. Comparatively, Victorians will celebrate 14 public holidays this year. Among those days off are standard national holidays plus state-specific days like, the Friday before the Australian Football League (AFL) grand final and 'the race that stops the nation', Melbourne Cup Day.

This year, Western Australia and Tasmania will enjoy a total of 13 days off. Those in the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland will get 14. The most days off in Australia go to people living in South Australia and the Northern Territory, with a grand total of 15 public holidays in the calendar for 2026.

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