Updated · Apr 2026
📍 ACT · PH · 2026 Calendar

ACT Public Holidays 2026.

15 gazetted public holidays in Australian Capital Territory for 2026, plus 15 confirmed for 2027. Full calendar below, penalty-rate calculator at the bottom.

ACT 2026 Calendar

ACT public holidays for 2026.

The ACT has 15 public holidays in 2026 (including substitute Mondays for Anzac Day and Boxing Day), including Canberra Day in March and Reconciliation Day in late May/early June, both of which are unique to the territory. 15 full-day public holidays. Source: ACT Government - Public holidays.

HolidayDayDateScope
New Year's Day
Thursday1 JanuaryNational
Australia Day
Monday26 JanuaryNational
Canberra Day
ACT only, second Monday in March
Monday9 MarchState
Good Friday
Friday3 AprilNational
Easter Saturday
Saturday4 AprilNational
Easter Sunday
Sunday5 AprilNational
Easter Monday
Monday6 AprilNational
Anzac Day
Saturday25 AprilNational
Anzac Day substitute
Additional holiday because Anzac Day fell on a Saturday
Monday27 AprilState
Reconciliation Day
ACT only
Monday1 JuneState
King's Birthday
Monday8 JuneState
Labour Day
Monday5 OctoberState
Christmas Day
Friday25 DecemberNational
Boxing Day
Saturday26 DecemberNational
Boxing Day substitute
Additional holiday because Boxing Day fell on a Saturday
Monday28 DecemberState
ACT 2027 Calendar

ACT public holidays for 2027.

Confirmed dates from Holidays Act 1958 (ACT). Some 2027 dates may be subject to government proclamation.

HolidayDayDateScope
New Year's Day
Friday1 JanuaryNational
Australia Day
Tuesday26 JanuaryNational
Canberra Day
Monday8 MarchState
Good Friday
Friday26 MarchNational
Easter Saturday
Saturday27 MarchNational
Easter Sunday
Sunday28 MarchNational
Easter Monday
Monday29 MarchNational
Anzac Day (observed)
Monday26 AprilNational
Reconciliation Day
Monday31 MayState
King's Birthday
Monday14 JuneState
Labour Day
Monday4 OctoberState
Christmas Day
Saturday25 DecemberNational
Christmas Day substitute
Monday27 DecemberNational
Boxing Day
Sunday26 DecemberNational
Boxing Day substitute
Tuesday28 DecemberNational

Statute: Holidays Act 1958 (ACT). All dates verified against the ACT government source linked above. Dates may change due to government proclamation. Local-government and regional show-day holidays not listed.

Penalty Rate Calculator

Working a ACT public holiday?

Calculate penalty rates for a public holiday shift. Pre-configured for Australian Capital Territory.

✓ Free, no sign-up|Live|Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s.114

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Here's your entitlement

15
Public holidays in ACT for 2026.
11
Weekday holidays
8 × Monday
Most common day
$266
Pay per day off
See full calculationFair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s.114
ComponentFormulaValue
New Year's DayThursday1 January
Australia DayMonday26 January
Canberra DayMonday9 March
Good FridayFriday3 April
Easter SaturdaySaturday4 April
Easter SundaySunday5 April
Easter MondayMonday6 April
Anzac DaySaturday25 April
Anzac Day substituteMonday27 April
Reconciliation DayMonday1 June
King's BirthdayMonday8 June
Labour DayMonday5 October
Christmas DayFriday25 December
Boxing DaySaturday26 December
Boxing Day substituteMonday28 December

ⓘ 2026 calendar for Australian Capital Territory. Source: state public holiday legislation. Dates verified against state government and Fair Work Ombudsman.

Sarah Reid, CAHRI
Reviewed bySarah Reid, CAHRICert IV Payroll · Canberra based
Verified expert

Disclaimer: This tool does not constitute legal or financial advice. Results may be inaccurate due to changes in legislation or your circumstances. This tool does not constitute legal or financial advice. We do not recommend taking actions based solely on these results. The calculator makes assumptions and results may be inaccurate due to changes in legislation, modern awards, or your personal circumstances. You use this information at your own risk. We can't guarantee to be perfect, so do note you use the information at your own risk and we can't accept liability if things go wrong. For official guidance, visit Fair Work Ombudsman (fairwork.gov.au). Fair Work Ombudsman.

Q & A

Public holiday questions for ACT.

How much long service leave do I get in ACT?
6.07 weeks after 7 years of continuous service with the same employer, under the Long Service Leave Act 1976 (ACT). Pro-rata payout becomes available after 5 years on termination. Calculate your ACT LSL →
When does ACT long service leave become payable on termination?
Pro-rata payout is available after 5 years of continuous service in most circumstances. Earlier pro-rata may apply on death, illness, retrenchment or harassment-related termination, depending on the specific provisions of the Long Service Leave Act 1976. Resignation typically triggers payout once the 5-year mark is reached.
What's the ACT pro-rata LSL formula?
ACT uses the 1/60th formula: weeks of LSL = total weeks of service divided by 60. So 7 years of service equals (7 × 52) ÷ 60 = 6.07 weeks. The longer you stay, the more leave accrues, with no cap.
How many public holidays are there in Australia?
7 days are nationally recognised: New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Every state and territory gazettes additional days, taking the total per state from 9 (TAS) to 15 (ACT) in 2026.
Do I get penalty rates for working a public holiday?
Almost always yes — the rate depends on your award. Most awards pay 200%-250% (i.e. 2-2.5x base rate) for hours worked on a gazetted public holiday. A small number absorb public-holiday work in an annualised salary instead. Calculate your public-holiday rate →
Can I refuse to work on a public holiday?
Yes, under s.114 of the Fair Work Act. You can refuse a request to work a public holiday if the request is unreasonable or your refusal is reasonable. Factors include the work's nature, your personal circumstances, the type of employment and notice given.
What happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend?
Most states gazette a substitute weekday (usually the following Monday). The substitute IS the public holiday for legal purposes — penalty rates apply on the substitute, not the calendar date. Some states gazette both days for Anzac Day and Boxing Day.