Is ANZAC Day 2026 a public holiday? Yes, but there’s a catch.

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As we start planning our 2026 calendars (yes, we're those people who plan ahead when it comes to holidays!) many of us are wondering about our precious public holidays.

And one question that keeps popping up is whether ANZAC Day will be a public holiday in 2026.

It's a fair question, especially when you consider how public holidays can sometimes shift around depending on what day of the week they fall on.

We've all been there, excitedly marking a public holiday in our diary, only to realise it falls on a weekend, and we might not actually get that coveted day off work…

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ANZAC Day holds special significance for Australians, commemorating the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

But when it comes to the practicalities of whether we get a day off work each year, things can get a bit complicated.

So, is ANZAC Day 2026 a public holiday?

The answer comes with a bit of a "but"…

Yes, ANZAC Day is absolutely a public holiday in 2026. It's a national public holiday that's observed across all of Australia on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

But here's where it gets interesting (and potentially frustrating, depending on where you live)...

Because ANZAC Day 2026 falls on a Saturday, the question becomes: do we get a substitute weekday off?

This is where Australia's state-by-state approach to public holidays comes into play, and honestly, it's a bit of a postcode lottery.

State-by-state breakdown.

The Lucky State: If you live in Western Australia, you're in luck! This lucky state will observe a replacement public holiday on Monday, April 27, 2026. This means you'll get that long weekend we all crave.

The Not-So-Lucky States: If you're in ACT, Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, or Tasmania, you won't get a substitute day. For these states, Saturday, April 25 is the official holiday, and that's it.

What this means for you.

For most Australians, ANZAC Day 2026 will only be observed on the Saturday, which means there'll be no extra day off work.

It's one of those quirks of our public holiday system that can feel a bit unfair, especially when your mates in WA are planning their long weekend while you're stuck with just (what feels like) a regular Saturday.

And here's the real kicker. It also falls on a weekend in 2027 (this time a Sunday), so we won't get that longed-for day off work again until 2028!

Planning ahead for public holidays in 2026.

If you're in one of the states that doesn't get the Monday off, you might want to consider taking annual leave on the Friday or Monday to create your own long weekend.

After all, ANZAC Day is an important day of remembrance, and having the time to properly observe it, whether through attending dawn services, visiting war memorials, or simply reflecting on the sacrifices made, is valuable.

The bottom line.

ANZAC Day 2026 is definitely a public holiday across Australia, falling on Saturday, April 25. Whether you get an additional day off depends entirely on which state you call home.

It's worth checking with your employer about their specific policies, too, as some workplaces may have their own arrangements for public holidays that fall on weekends.

So mark your calendars, plan accordingly, and regardless of whether you get a long weekend out of it, ANZAC Day remains one of our most significant national days of remembrance.

Feature image: Getty.