Taking regular breaks from work is essential to maintain productivity and well-being, and with some smart planning, you can stretch your annual leave for the end of 2024, and 2025, for optimal downtime. By combining your paid time off with weekends and public holidays, you’ll multiply your vacation days and return to work feeling recharged and ready to perform at your best.
Annual leave is a standard benefit for full-time employees in New Zealand and Australia, providing a dedicated time to step back, unwind, and recover. When used strategically, it not only enhances personal well-being but also boosts productivity, enabling you to return with a fresh perspective. Let’s explore how to use your leave effectively to get the most out of each break.
Aligning annual leave days with public holidays is a fantastic way to extend your vacations without needing additional days off. Here’s a guide to taking strategic breaks across the year to stretch your leave and enjoy more time off.
With Christmas Day on Wednesday and New Year’s Day on the following Wednesday, a strategic combination of annual leave and public holidays can provide a substantial break.
Book seven days: Take leave on 23-24 December, 27 December, 30-31 December, and 2-3 January.
Your break: This will give you a total of 16 days off, from Saturday, 21 December, until Sunday, 5 January.
Australia Day in 2025 falls on Monday, 27 January, with the holiday observed on Monday, 27 January. Taking one additional day off provides an extended weekend.
Book one day: Take Friday, 24 January as annual leave.
Your break: Enjoy a long weekend from Friday, 24 January, to Monday, 27 January.
In 2025, Easter lands in mid-April, with Good Friday on 18 April, Easter Monday on 21 April, and ANZAC Day soon after on Friday, 25 April. By taking a few days off, you can enjoy an extended break.
Book three days: Take leave on 22-24 April.
Your break: You’ll enjoy a 10-day holiday from Friday, 18 April, to Sunday, 27 April.
ACT, NSW, NT, SA, TAS, & VIC only
For these states, the King’s Birthday public holiday falls on Monday, 9 June. By taking off the preceding Friday, you create a long weekend.
Book one day: Take Friday, 6 June.
Your break: This gives you a four-day weekend from Friday, 6 June, to Monday, 9 June.
Labour Day dates vary by state in Australia. For example, in Queensland, it falls on Monday, 5 May, while in New South Wales, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory, it’s on Monday, 6 October. Taking an additional day off allows you to maximize this break.
Book one day (example in NSW/ACT/SA): Take Friday, 3 October.
Your break: Create a long weekend from Friday, 3 October, to Monday, 6 October.
With Christmas Day on Thursday and Boxing Day on Friday, a few extra days off can turn your holidays into a much longer break.
Book three days: Take leave on 29-31 December, 2 January.
Your break: This results in 11 days off from Thursday, 25 December, through Sunday, 4 January.
Plan ahead: Locking in dates early ensures you’ll get your desired days off and can even help your workplace prepare for your absence.
Consider regional holidays: New Zealand and Australia have various regional holidays, depending on location. These can add to your break potential, so check the specific holidays for your area.
Wednesday, 1 January: New Year's Day
Monday, 27 January: Australia Day holiday
Friday, 18 April: Good Friday
Saturday, 19 April: Day following Good Friday
Sunday, 20 April: Easter Sunday
Monday, 21 April: Easter Monday
Friday, 25 April: Anzac Day
Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Friday, 26 December: Boxing Day
Monday, 10 March: Canberra Day
Monday, 2 June: Reconciliation Day
Monday, 9 June: King's Birthday
Monday, 6 October: Labour Day
Monday, 9 June: King's Birthday
Monday, 6 October: Labour Day
Monday, 5 May: May Day
Monday, 9 June: King's Birthday
Friday, 4 July: Alice Springs Show Day*
Friday, 11 July: Tennant Creek Show Day*
Friday, 18 July: Katherine Show Day*
Friday, 25 July: Darwin Show Day*
Monday, 4 August: Picnic Day
Friday, 15 August: Borroloola Show Day*
*Regional observance only
Monday, 5 May: Labour Day
Wednesday, 13 August: Royal Queensland Show –Brisbane area only
Monday, 6 October: King's Birthday
Monday, 10 March: Adelaide Cup Day
Monday, 9 June: King's Birthday
Monday, 6 October: Labour Day
Friday, 26 December: Proclamation Day
Wednesday, 8 January: Devonport Cup*
Monday, 10 February: Royal Hobart Regatta*
Wednesday, 26 February: Launceston Cup*
Tuesday, 4 March: King Island Show*
Monday, 10 March: Eight Hours Day
Friday, 2 May: AGFEST*
Monday, 9 June: King's Birthday
Friday, 3 October: Burnie Show*
Thursday, 9 October: Royal Launceston Show*
Friday, 17 October: Flinders Island Show*
Thursday, 23 October: Royal Hobart Show*
Monday, 3 November: Recreation Day*
Friday, 28 November: Devonport Show*
*Regional observance
Monday, 10 March: Labour Day
Saturday, 19 April: Saturday before Easter Sunday
Monday, 9 June: King's Birthday
Friday, 26 September: AFL Grand Final
Tuesday, 4 November: Melbourne Cup Day
Monday, 3 March: Labour Day
Monday, 2 June: Western Australia Day
Monday, 29 September: King's Birthday
In regional areas of Western Australia, the King's Birthday Public Holiday may be observed on a different date.
Here’s a quick overview of the recommended dates to maximise your time off in 2025:
Public Holiday | Book leave on these dates | Total days off |
Christmas, Boxing Day & New Year’s 24/25 | 23-24 Dec, 27 Dec, 30-31 Dec, 2-3 Jan - 7 days of leave | 16 |
Australia Day | 24 January - 1 day of leave | 4 |
Easter & ANZAC Day | 22-24 April - 3 days of leave | 10 |
King’s Birthday | 6 June - 1 day of leave | 4 |
Christmas, Boxing Day & New Year’s 25/26 | 29-31 Dec, 2 Jan - 4 days of leave | 11 |
Plus, remember to check out the public holidays celebrated in your home state to find any further opportunities for you to extend your holiday and enjoy a 4-day weekend.
With this guide, you’ll make the most of your annual leave in 2025, giving yourself the time you need to rest, recharge, and make the most of the year ahead.
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