Planning for the Festive Season: Managing Leave, Public Holidays and Shutdowns
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As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to plan ahead for your team’s coverage, leave and business operations over Christmas and New Year. Managing public holidays, shutdown periods, and employee entitlements can be complex — especially when balancing business needs with employee wellbeing.
Whether you’re coordinating a business shutdown or approving annual leave, understanding your obligations around public holidays, leave loading, and rostering is essential. This guide from Explore Potential outlines the key considerations to help you remain compliant and prepared for the festive season.
Public Holidays – Christmas & New Year 2025–2026
State/Territory | Date | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|
ACT | 25 Dec 2025 | Christmas Day |
26 Dec 2025 | Boxing Day | |
1 Jan 2026 | New Year’s Day | |
NSW | 25 Dec 2025 | Christmas Day |
26 Dec 2025 | Boxing Day | |
1 Jan 2026 | New Year’s Day | |
NT | 24 Dec 2025 | Christmas Eve (7 pm–midnight) |
25 Dec 2025 | Christmas Day | |
26 Dec 2025 | Boxing Day | |
31 Dec 2025 | New Year’s Eve (7 pm–midnight) | |
1 Jan 2026 | New Year’s Day | |
QLD | 24 Dec 2025 | Christmas Eve (6 pm–midnight) |
25 Dec 2025 | Christmas Day | |
26 Dec 2025 | Boxing Day | |
1 Jan 2026 | New Year’s Day | |
SA | 24 Dec 2025 | Christmas Eve (7 pm–midnight) |
25 Dec 2025 | Christmas Day | |
26 Dec 2025 | Proclamation Day / Boxing Day | |
31 Dec 2025 | New Year’s Eve (7 pm–midnight) | |
1 Jan 2026 | New Year’s Day | |
TAS | 3 Nov 2025 | Recreation Day (selected areas) |
25 Dec 2025 | Christmas Day | |
26 Dec 2025 | Boxing Day | |
1 Jan 2026 | New Year’s Day | |
VIC | 4 Nov 2025 | Melbourne Cup Day |
25 Dec 2025 | Christmas Day | |
26 Dec 2025 | Boxing Day | |
1 Jan 2026 | New Year’s Day | |
WA | 25 Dec 2025 | Christmas Day |
26 Dec 2025 | Boxing Day | |
1 Jan 2026 | New Year’s Day |
Public Holidays – Key Reminders
- Employees generally have the right to be absent from work on a public holiday.
- Employers can request employees to work on a public holiday if the request is reasonable, but employees may refuse if they have valid grounds.
- When employees are rostered to work on a public holiday but do not work, they are usually entitled to their base rate of pay for their ordinary hours (not including bonuses or loadings).
- Employees who do work on a public holiday are typically entitled to penalty rates or overtime in line with their applicable Award or Agreement.
- If a public holiday falls during a period of paid leave, it should not be deducted from the employee’s leave balance.
- Entitlements for those on unpaid leave or long service leave vary between states and should be checked carefully.
Business Shutdowns
If your organisation plans to close over Christmas and New Year, check the applicable Modern Award or Enterprise Agreement for shutdown provisions.
Most require at least 28 days’ written notice, outlining:
Most require at least 28 days’ written notice, outlining:
- The dates of the closure;
- Options for employees to take accrued annual leave, leave in advance, or leave without pay; and
- How any shortfalls in accrued leave will be managed.
Getting this right avoids misunderstandings and ensures both compliance and fairness across your team.
Annual Leave Loading
Some Awards and Agreements include annual leave loading, generally at 17.5%.
Always review:
Always review:
- The Award or Agreement covering your employees; and
- The employment contract, which may specify separate terms.
Need Help?
If you’d like tailored advice on managing leave, shutdowns or award compliance over the holiday period, our HR team is here to help.