Australians hold certain days each year as special days of national meaning. We may recognise the day with a holiday for everyone or we can celebrate the day as a nation with special events.
Most states and territories observe some of the public holidays on the same date. They have others on different dates or have some days that only their state or territory celebrates.
In larger cities, most shops, restaurants and public transport continue to operate on public holidays. In smaller towns, most shops and restaurants close.
Christmas and Easter are two of the main public holidays. Some other important national dates are:
Australia Day
Australia Day, January 26, is the biggest day of celebration in the country and is observed as a public holiday in all states and territories. It is the day we as a people and place celebrate our nationhood.
On Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation.
Anzac Day
Anzac Day is on April 25 the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli in Turkey in 1915 during World War 1.
This day is set apart to hold dear the memory of those who fought for our nation and those who lost their life to war. The day is a public holiday. We remember with ceremonies, wreath laying and military parades.
Melbourne Cup Day
Melbourne Cup Day happens on the first Tuesday of November each year. The cup is a world famous horse race.
Most people whether at work, school or home, stop and watch the race on television. It is a public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne. In other places and mainly in the workplace, many people have a lunch or party to celebrate Melbourne Cup.
2011
| January | March |
| New Year's Day - Saturday, January 1 | Labour Day (WA) - Monday, March 7 |
| New Year's Public Holiday - Monday, January 3 | Labour Day (VIC) - Monday, March 14 |
| Australia Day - Tuesday, January 26 | Eight Hour Day (TAS) - Monday, March 14 |
| April | May |
| Good Friday - Friday, Apr 22 | Labour Day (QLD) - Monday, May 2 |
| Easter Sunday - Sunday, Apr 24 | May Day (NT) - Monday, May 2 |
| Easter Monday - Monday, Apr 25 | |
| Anzac Day - Monday, April 25 | |
| June | September |
| Foundation Day (WA) - Monday, June 6 |
Australian National Flag Day-
Saturday,
September 3 |
|
Queen's Birthday Holiday -
Monday, June 13 |
(not a Public Holiday) |
| (All States except WA) | |
| October | November |
| Queen's Birthday (WA) - Monday, October 3 |
Melbourne Cup
Day (Melbourne Metropolitan
only) |
| Labour Day (NSW, ACT & SA) - Monday, October 3 | - Tuesday, November 1 |
| December | |
| Christmas Day - Sunday, December 25 (Public holiday for Christmas Day will be observed on Monday, December 26) | |
| Boxing Day - Tuesday, December 27 | |
| (New Year's Day 2012 - Sunday, January 1) | |
School Term 2011
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | New South Wales (NSW) |
|
Day 1 of Term 1 - Staff only Day 2 of Term 1 - New students Day 3 of Term 1 - Classes commence (Feb 7) 1st Term: Feb 4 - Apr 15 2nd Term: May 2 – Jul 8 3rd Term: Jul 25 - Sep 30 4th Term: Oct 17 - Dec 21 (resumes Feb 3, 2012) |
(First day of Term 1, 2 and 3, and last two days of Term 4
are School Development days, staff only) 1st Term: Jan 28 - Apr 8 2nd Term: Apr 26 - Jul 1 3rd Term: Jul 18 - Sep 23 4th Term: Oct 10 - Dec 20 (resumes Jan 27, 2012) |
| Northern Territory (NT) | Queensland (QLD) |
|
1st Term: Jan 24 - Apr 1 (Students resume Jan 25) 2nd Term: Apr 11 - Jun 24 3rd Term: Jul 25 - Sep 30 (Students resume Jul 26) 4th Term: Oct 10 - Dec 16 (resumes Jan 30, 2012) |
1st Term: Jan 24 - Apr 15 2nd Term: Apr 26 - Jun 24 3rd Term: Jul 11 – Sep 16 4th Term: Oct 3 - Dec 9 (resumes Jan 23, 2012) |
| South Australia (SA) | Tasmania (TAS) |
|
1st Term: Jan 31 - Apr 15 2nd Term: May 2 - Jul 8 3rd Term: Jul 25 - Sep 30 4th Term: Oct 17 - Dec 16 (resumes Jan 30, 2012) |
Kindergarten to Grade 10: North and North West: 1st Term: Feb 15 - Apr 21 South: 1st Term: Feb 16 - Apr 21 2nd Term: Jun 20 - Sep 2 3rd Term: Sep 19 - Dec 21 (resumes - Feb 14/15, 2012) Years 11/12: Claremont: 1st Term: Feb 11/12 - May 28 Launceston: 1st Term: Feb 9/10 - May 28 Rosny: 1st Term: Feb 11 - May 28 2nd Term: Jun 12 - Sep 3 3rd Term: Sep 20 - Date to be advised |
| Victoria (VIC) | Western Australia (WA) |
|
For Students: 1st Term: Feb 1 - Apr 8 2nd Term: Apr 27 - Jul 1 3rd Term: Jul 18 - Sep 23 4th Term: Oct 10 - Dec 22 (resumes Feb 1, 2012) |
For Students: 1st Term: Feb 2 - Apr 21 2nd Term: May 9 - Jul 8 3rd Term: Jul 25 – Sep 30 4th Term: Oct 17 - Dec 15 (resumes Feb 1, 2012) |
