How Australians can turn their annual leave into weeks of extra holidays in 2027
What if you could turn a handful of annual leave days into extended holidays multiple times a year across 2027? There is a trick!
There’s a trick to turning a handful of annual leave days into extended holidays multiple times a year — and in 2027, Australians have plenty of opportunities to make their leave go further.
By strategically booking annual leave around public holidays and weekends, workers can turn four days off into a nine-day break, enjoy 10 days away over Easter or stretch the Christmas holidays into more than two weeks.
The catch is knowing which dates to book — and where you live, with public holidays varying across States and Territories.
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Australia Day: Nine days off using four days of leave
Australia Day falls on Tuesday, January 26, creating an opportunity to kick-start 2027 with an extended summer break.
Take Monday, January 25, and Wednesday, January 27, to Friday, January 29, off and you’ll have nine consecutive days away from work — from Saturday, January 23, to Sunday, January 31.
It’s the perfect chance to escape for a road trip, head to the beach or enjoy a few extra days away from the daily grind.
Easter: 10 days off using four days of leave
Easter is another golden opportunity to stretch your annual leave.
Good Friday falls on March 26, with Easter Monday on March 29.
Take annual leave from Tuesday, March 30, to Friday, April 2, and you’ll have 10 consecutive days off — from March 26 to April 4.
That’s enough time for a longer domestic trip or even an overseas escape.
Tasmanian public service employees may have an additional advantage, with Easter Tuesday on March 30 recognised as a public holiday for eligible workers. Other employees should check which public holidays apply to their workplace.
Anzac Day: Nine days off using four days of leave
Anzac Day falls on Sunday, April 25, giving workers in NSW, the ACT, Queensland, WA and the Northern Territory an additional public holiday on Monday, April 26.
Take annual leave from Tuesday, April 27, to Friday, April 30, and you can turn the long weekend into nine consecutive days off — from Saturday, April 24, to Sunday, May 2.
Workers in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania miss out on the same extra Monday public holiday.
Labour Day and other State holidays: More chances to get away
National public holidays aren’t the only opportunities to stretch annual leave. State and Territory holidays can create extra-long weekends throughout the year.
In Western Australia, Labour Day falls on Monday, March 1, and WA Day is on Monday, June 7. Take the four working days after either holiday off and you can turn the long weekend into nine consecutive days away.
Victoria and Tasmania observe Labour Day or Eight Hours Day on Monday, March 8, while Queensland and the Northern Territory have their Labour Day and May Day holidays on Monday, May 3.
NSW, the ACT and South Australia observe Labour Day on Monday, October 4.
Other opportunities include Adelaide Cup Day in South Australia, Canberra Day and Reconciliation Day in the ACT, the Royal Queensland Show in Brisbane and regional holidays in other parts of the country.
For a Monday public holiday, the formula is simple: Take the following Tuesday to Friday off and enjoy nine consecutive days away from work.
The important thing is to check which holidays apply to your location.
King’s Birthday: Nine days off using four days of leave
The King’s Birthday public holiday offers another opportunity to turn a long weekend into a longer holiday, although the date varies across Australia.
In most States and Territories, the holiday falls on Monday, June 14, in 2027. Queensland celebrates it on Monday, October 4, while WA observes it on Monday, September 27.
Take the four working days after the holiday off and you’ll have nine consecutive days away from work.
It’s a handy opportunity to plan an extended break, whether that’s a trip overseas or a few days exploring somewhere closer to home.
Christmas and New Year: 16 days off using seven days of leave
The festive season delivers one of the biggest opportunities to maximise annual leave in 2027.
Christmas Day falls on Saturday, December 25, while Boxing Day falls on Sunday, December 26. Substitute public holidays fall on Monday, December 27, and Tuesday, December 28.
New Year’s Day also falls on a Saturday, with a substitute public holiday on Monday, January 3, 2028.
Take off Wednesday, December 29, to Friday, December 31, followed by Tuesday, January 4, to Friday, January 7, and you’ll have 16 consecutive days off.
The break runs from Saturday, December 25, to Sunday, January 9, 2028.
That’s more than two weeks to make the most of the summer heat, escape it ... or do whatever!
Which state comes out on top?
Where you live could make a big difference to how much extra time off you can squeeze out of your annual leave in 2027.
WA and the Northern Territory lead the national comparison, with workers in both jurisdictions potentially scoring 71 days off using 31 days of annual leave.
The ACT comes next, with 68 days off for 27 days of leave, followed by Queensland where workers could get 67 days off using 29 days of leave.
NSW and South Australia are level on 62 days off for 27 days of leave, while Victorians could get 60 days off using 24 days.
Tasmania comes in last, with a potential 56 days off using 22 days of annual leave.
