The NSW Government will introduce an additional public holiday in 2026 and 2027 to support Anzac Day commemorations when the national day of remembrance falls on a weekend. Anzac Day is fixed to 25 April each year under the Public Holidays Act and will remain so, however the Monday following the date will also be declared a public holiday during the two‑year trial.
In 2026 Anzac Day will fall on a Saturday, and in 2027 it will fall on a Sunday. The government says the added holiday will not replace Anzac Day itself, but rather reinforce its importance and bring it in line with arrangements for other major public holidays.
NSW currently has fewer public holidays than other mainland states and territories. Prior to the change, the state had 11 public holidays scheduled for 2026, fewer than Queensland, Victoria, the ACT (all with 14) and the Northern Territory and South Australia (both with 15). Tasmania also has 11 public holidays per year.
The experience of the additional public holidays will feed into a broader review of the state’s public holiday framework in 2027, which will consider whether NSW should increase its number of public holidays and whether permanent arrangements should be made for Anzac Day when it falls on a weekend.
