Victoria (VIC) Public Holidays 2026: Complete List & Dates

Planning your 2026 calendar around public holidays in Victoria doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With 13 official holidays on the books—including unique ones like Labour Day and Melbourne Cup Day—knowing the exact dates early helps you schedule trips, budget long weekends, and avoid last-minute surprises. Here’s the complete official list, verified against government sources.

First public holiday in Victoria 2026: New Year’s Day (1 January) ·
Labour Day 2026 date: Monday, 9 March ·
Anzac Day 2026 date: Saturday, 25 April

Thirteen public holidays in 2026, one pattern: Victoria adds two unique holidays—Labour Day and Melbourne Cup Day—that aren’t observed in any other state.

Here is a quick reference to Victoria’s public holiday profile for 2026.

What are the public holidays in Victoria in 2026?

Victoria’s 2026 public holiday calendar, as published by the Victorian Government Business Victoria office, includes 13 days. Here is the complete list:

• New Year’s Day – Thursday, 1 January (Business Victoria)
• Australia Day – Monday, 26 January (Business Victoria)
• Labour Day – Monday, 9 March (Business Victoria)
• Good Friday – Friday, 3 April (Fair Work Ombudsman)
• Easter Saturday – Saturday, 4 April (Fair Work Ombudsman)
• Easter Sunday – Sunday, 5 April (Fair Work Ombudsman)
• Easter Monday – Monday, 6 April (Fair Work Ombudsman)
• Anzac Day – Saturday, 25 April (Business Victoria)
• King’s Birthday – Monday, 8 June (Business Victoria)
• Friday before AFL Grand Final – subject to AFL schedule (Business Victoria)
• Melbourne Cup Day – Tuesday, 3 November (Business Victoria)
• Christmas Day – Friday, 25 December (Fair Work Ombudsman)
• Boxing Day – Saturday, 26 December (observed Monday, 28 December) (Business Victoria)

The implication: Victoria’s 13 days are among the highest in Australia, and the substituted Boxing Day holiday on 28 December effectively gives workers an extra long weekend if 26 December falls on a weekend.

When is Labour Day in Victoria in 2026?

Labour Day in Victoria 2026 falls on Monday, 9 March. This holiday commemorates the eight-hour working day movement that began in Melbourne in 1856.

• Date: Monday, 9 March 2026 (Business Victoria)
• Significance: Celebrates the eight-hour working day movement in Victoria (Tourism Australia)

The catch: Labour Day is observed on the second Monday of March in Victoria, while NSW and ACT observe it on the first Monday of October—a key difference for anyone coordinating interstate teams.

When is Anzac Day in Victoria in 2026?

Anzac Day 2026 falls on Saturday, 25 April. It is a national public holiday across Australia.

• Date: Saturday, 25 April 2026 (Business Victoria)
• Observance: Anzac Day is observed on 25 April regardless of the day of the week. However, when it falls on a weekend, the Fair Work Ombudsman notes that additional public holidays may be declared; for 2026, the ACT has added a public holiday on Monday, 27 April (Fair Work Ombudsman)

Why this matters: If you’re a Victorian employer or employee, Anzac Day on a Saturday means no substitute weekday holiday, unlike ACT which has legislated an extra day.

What are the school holidays in Victoria in 2026?

School holiday dates for 2026 have not yet been published by the Victorian Department of Education. Based on typical schedules, terms run roughly from late January to early April, mid-April to late June, mid-July to mid-September, and early October to mid-December.

• Term 1: late January – early April (dates TBC)
• Term 2: mid-April – late June
• Term 3: mid-July – mid-September
• Term 4: early October – mid-December

The pattern: School holiday planning often aligns with public holiday long weekends, so families should watch the Department’s official calendar once released.

How do Victoria’s public holidays compare to NSW and ACT in 2026?

All three jurisdictions share the national public holidays: New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. But each territory adds its own unique days.

Sources: Fair Work Ombudsman, Virgin Australia.

The trade-off: Victoria’s unique Melbourne Cup Day gives residents an extra Tuesday off, but NSW and ACT workers get Labour Day later in the year plus additional local holidays like Canberra Day.

All public holiday dates are accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.

— Business Victoria (Victorian Government)

Victoria’s public holidays for 2026 include 13 days, with Labour Day on 9 March and Melbourne Cup Day on 3 November.

— Fair Work Ombudsman (Australian Government regulator)

For Victorian residents and businesses, the 2026 calendar brings a predictable mix of national and state-specific holidays—but two key unknowns remain: the AFL Grand Final Friday date and the school holiday schedule. Employers should plan for the additional substitute Boxing Day holiday on 28 December and note the absence of a Monday substitute for Anzac Day. For anyone comparing leave across states, the clear implication is: Victoria wins on total days off, but loses on Labour Day timing compared to NSW and ACT.

For a detailed look at the Australian Capital Territory’s schedule, see our guide on ACT public holidays 2025. For a different perspective on holiday planning, read about New Year’s Eve public holiday in Ireland.

For a deeper breakdown of each date and how they align with weekends, see the 2026 public holiday calendar for Victoria.

Frequently asked questions