December & January Public Holidays 2023

Reminder that employees rostered to work on a public holiday are entitled to penalty rates of double time and a half for the time worked.

An employee who would normally work on a day that is gazetted as a public holiday but does not work, is entitled to be paid ordinary time for the hours they would have been required to work.

An employee who would not have ordinarily been required to work on a day that is gazetted as a public holiday is not entitled to any payment.

If you have any questions about the payment of employees contact ASIAL’s Industrial Relations Advisor [email protected]

Upcoming public holidays in your state or territory include:

Australian Capital Territory

  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Monday 1 January – New Year’s day


New South Wales

  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Monday 1 January – New Year’s day


Northern Territory

  • Sunday 24 December - Christmas Eve (from 7pm to midnight)
  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Sunday 31 December - New Year's Eve (from 7pm to midnight)
  • Monday 1 January – New Year’s day


Queensland

  • Sunday 24 December - Christmas Eve (from 6pm to midnight)
  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Monday 1 January – New Year’s day


South Australia

  • Sunday 24 December - Christmas Eve (from 7pm to midnight)
  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day/Proclamation Day
  • Sunday 31 December - New Year's Eve (from 7pm to midnight)
  • Monday 1 January – New Year’s day


Tasmania

  • Monday 6 November - Recreation Day (all parts of the state which do not observe Royal Hobart Regatta)
  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Monday 1 January – New Year’s day


Victoria

  • Tuesday 7 November - Melbourne Cup
  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Monday 1 January – New Year’s day


Western Australia

  • Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
  • Monday 1 January – New Year’s day