How to Make the Most of Your Annual Leave in 2026
If you want to stretch your annual leave further in 2026, you are in the right place. Last year we did this and i feel like it helped us all get our leave submitted before everyone else! A little planning can turn a handful of leave days into long weekends, mini holidays, and full week escapes that feel way more luxurious than the hours you are actually taking off.
Below is your guide to every smart leave window for 2026, plus the national holidays, state extras, and a few cheeky insider strategies to help you plan like a pro. Remember some states have more days off than others.
We will cover how you can use your assumed 20 days of annual leave a year and a realllllly nice break or two…..
New Year stretch
Australia Day long weekend
Easter six day break
King’s Birthday long weekend
One or two of your state specific long weekends
A ten day Christmas break
And your total days off across the year would be up to 45 to 50 days off depending on your state holidays, even though you only used 20 leave days.
Australia wide holiday boosts for 2026
These are the public holidays that apply almost everywhere in the country. Use them well.
New Year’s break
Holiday: Thursday 1 January
Take Friday 2 January off and enjoy a four day break to start the year. If you have a little more leave up your sleeve, take Monday 5 January too and turn it into five days away for only two days of leave.
Australia Day weekend
Holiday: Monday 26 January
Zero leave days needed for a three day weekend. If you take Friday 23 January, it becomes a four day escape with one day of leave.
Easter long break
Holiday: Good Friday 3 April, Easter Monday 6 April
Easter is always a gift. Take Tuesday 7 April and Wednesday 8 April for a six day break. Two leave days, six days of rest.
Anzac Day
Holiday: Saturday 25 April
Because it falls on a Saturday, most workers miss out on the bonus weekday. Still, you can take Friday 24 April if you want a quiet three day weekend.
King’s Birthday
Holiday: Monday 8 June (most states)
Take Friday 5 June and enjoy a four day winter getaway. If you want a full week off, add Tuesday 9 June to Thursday 11 June.
Christmas and New Year
Holidays: Christmas Day Friday 25 December, Boxing Day Saturday 26 December, plus a Monday 28 December substitute holiday in several states.
Take the 29 to 31 December and enjoy a break that runs from Friday 25 December all the way through to Sunday 4 January for only three leave days. This is the biggest hack of the year.
State and territory specific wins
If you love a long weekend, your state can give you even more opportunities.
Victoria
Labour Day Monday 9 March: Take Friday 6 March for a four day break.
Melbourne Cup Tuesday 3 November: Take Monday 2 November for a cheeky four day long weekend.
NSW
Bank Holiday Monday 3 August for those in the banking sector only. Take Friday 31 July if you qualify.
Labour Day Monday 5 October: Take Friday 2 October to make it four days.
Queensland
Labour Day Monday 4 May: Long weekend ready to go.
Ekka Wednesday 12 August (Brisbane only): Add Thursday and Friday for a five day break with two days of leave.
Gold Coast Showday Friday 26 August (Gold Coast only): Add Thursday for a 4 day break with one day of leave.
South Australia
Adelaide Cup Monday 9 March: Take Friday 6 March.
Proclamation Day Saturday 26 December with Monday 28 December observed. Add 29 to 31 December for the full Christmas hack.
Western Australia
Labour Day Monday 2 March and Western Australia Day Monday 1 June: Both perfect long weekend boosters.
Kings birthday Monday 28 September: Add Friday 25 September for a four day escape.
Tasmania
Eight Hour Day Monday 9 March: Take Friday 6 March.
Recreation Day Monday 2 November (north only): Add Friday 30 October.
ACT
Reconciliation Day Monday 1 June: Take Friday 29 May for a four day getaway.
Canberra Day Monday 9 March: Another perfect long weekend moment.
Northern Territory
May Day Monday 4 May and Picnic Day Monday 3 August: Both become four day breaks with a single leave day.
Your 2026 annual leave cheat sheet
Print this, save it, text it to your group chat. Using just 7 days of annual leave you could have 28 days off here!
Take Friday 2 January: get four days off
Take Friday 23 January: get four days off
Take 7 and 8 April: get six days off
Take Friday 5 June: get four days off
Take 29 to 31 December: get a ten day break
Plus your state holiday specials listed above, which unlock an extra three or four mini holidays.
How to plan your leave a little more money smart….
Book early
The most popular dates go fast. Planning ahead gives you better prices on accommodation and transport.
Mix long breaks with mini resets
Not every holiday needs to be two weeks. A four day weekend can be exactly what your brain needs.
Think about budget timing
Spread your trips across the year so you can save consistently and avoid blowing your cash in one season.
Be strategic at work
Share your dates early so your team can plan around you. Protecting your leave time is an act of self care and it makes you more productive when you return.
With a little forward planning, your 2026 annual leave can carry you through a whole year of rest and reset moments. Pick your windows now, map out your plan, and build a year that actually gives you space to breathe. Happy holidaying!
