# Anzac Day 2026 — Substitute Monday Public Holiday

**No.** There is **no single national substitute Monday public holiday** that applies to all employees across Australia when Anzac Day falls on a Saturday.

## How it actually works

Whether an employee gets an additional substitute public holiday on Monday 27 April 2026 depends on **which state or territory they work in** and, in some cases, on their **industrial instrument** (modern award, enterprise agreement, or employment contract).

Public holidays in Australia are declared under **state and territory legislation**, not Commonwealth law (except for limited Commonwealth coverage). Each jurisdiction sets its own rules about what happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend.

## Where a substitute Monday *does* apply

Several jurisdictions provide a substitute or additional holiday when Anzac Day falls on a weekend. The key examples:

- **Western Australia** — under the *Public and Bank Holidays Act 1987* (WA), when Anzac Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute holiday is observed on the **following Monday**.
- **Australian Capital Territory** — under the *Holidays Act 1958* (ACT), when Anzac Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute holiday is declared for the **following Monday**.

## Where a substitute Monday generally does *not* apply

In other jurisdictions — including **New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory** — Anzac Day is typically observed **on 25 April itself**, even when it falls on a weekend, **without** an automatic additional Monday substitute holiday.

In those states, employees may still have entitlements that turn on:

- the **applicable modern award or enterprise agreement** (some provide make-up days or penalty rates);
- their **employment contract** or workplace policy; and
- whether they are **rostered to work** on the Saturday and how penalty rates apply.

## Bottom line

The answer to the payroll officer is:

> **There is no uniform national substitute Monday for Anzac Day 2026.** Whether Monday 27 April 2026 is a public holiday turns on the **state or territory in which the employee works**, and may be further affected by the employee's **award, agreement, or contract**. Check the specific public holiday legislation of the relevant jurisdiction rather than assuming a nationwide rule.