Planning Annual Leave Around Labour Day
Labour Day is a Monday public holiday in every state and territory — but on wildly different dates, and under different names (Eight Hours Day in Tasmania, May Day in the Northern Territory). Wherever you are, it is a guaranteed long weekend.
Because the date is so scattered — March in Victoria, WA and Tasmania, May in Queensland and the NT, October in NSW, the ACT and SA — Labour Day is the holiday people most often forget to plan around.
When Labour Day falls, by state
| State / Territory | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Mon 5 Oct 2026 (Labour Day) | Mon 4 Oct 2027 (Labour Day) |
| Victoria | Mon 9 Mar 2026 (Labour Day) | Mon 8 Mar 2027 (Labour Day) |
| Queensland | Mon 4 May 2026 (Labour Day) | Mon 3 May 2027 (Labour Day) |
| Western Australia | Mon 2 Mar 2026 (Labour Day) | Mon 1 Mar 2027 (Labour Day) |
| South Australia | Mon 5 Oct 2026 (Labour Day) | Mon 4 Oct 2027 (Labour Day) |
| Tasmania | Mon 9 Mar 2026 (Eight Hours Day) | Mon 8 Mar 2027 (Eight Hours Day) |
| Australian Capital Territory | Mon 5 Oct 2026 (Labour Day) | Mon 4 Oct 2027 (Labour Day) |
| Northern Territory | Mon 4 May 2026 (May Day) | Mon 3 May 2027 (May Day) |
Dates verified Sun 28 Jun 2026 against the Fair Work Ombudsman and state/territory sources.
How to bridge Labour Day (2026)
- New South Wales: Labour Day (Mon 5 Oct 2026) already anchors a 3-day run off (Sat 3 Oct 2026 to Mon 5 Oct 2026) — bridge the working days on either side to extend it.
- Victoria: Labour Day (Mon 9 Mar 2026) already anchors a 3-day run off (Sat 7 Mar 2026 to Mon 9 Mar 2026) — bridge the working days on either side to extend it.
- Queensland: Labour Day (Mon 4 May 2026) already anchors a 3-day run off (Sat 2 May 2026 to Mon 4 May 2026) — bridge the working days on either side to extend it.
- Western Australia: Labour Day (Mon 2 Mar 2026) already anchors a 3-day run off (Sat 28 Feb 2026 to Mon 2 Mar 2026) — bridge the working days on either side to extend it.
- South Australia: Labour Day (Mon 5 Oct 2026) already anchors a 3-day run off (Sat 3 Oct 2026 to Mon 5 Oct 2026) — bridge the working days on either side to extend it.
- Tasmania: Eight Hours Day (Mon 9 Mar 2026) already anchors a 3-day run off (Sat 7 Mar 2026 to Mon 9 Mar 2026) — bridge the working days on either side to extend it.
- Australian Capital Territory: Labour Day (Mon 5 Oct 2026) already anchors a 3-day run off (Sat 3 Oct 2026 to Mon 5 Oct 2026) — bridge the working days on either side to extend it.
- Northern Territory: May Day (Mon 4 May 2026) already anchors a 3-day run off (Sat 2 May 2026 to Mon 4 May 2026) — bridge the working days on either side to extend it.
Related guides
Other holidays: Easter · Christmas & New Year · King's Birthday · Anzac Day · Australia Day.
By state: New South Wales · Victoria · Queensland · Western Australia · South Australia · Tasmania · Australian Capital Territory · Northern Territory.
Or read the complete strategy guide.