Residents of Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, are set to enjoy an extended Anzac Day weekend for the next two years, with the possibility of additional public holidays in the future.
Premier Chris Minns has revealed that NSW will introduce an extra public holiday in 2026 and 2027. This decision comes as Anzac Day will fall on a Saturday in 2026 and a Sunday in 2027. Consequently, the new public holiday will be observed on the following Monday, specifically 27 April 2026.
Traditionally, April 25 is marked with remembrance services across the country. However, only Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) had previously granted an extra public holiday on April 27.
In response to the calendar shift, the ACT has decided to move its public holiday to Monday, ensuring that all commemorative events will still take place on the usual Saturday. In Western Australia, both the Saturday and Monday have been designated as public holidays.
Historically, New South Wales did not declare additional public holidays when Anzac Day landed on a weekend, unlike New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
Premier Minns assured that the introduction of an extra public holiday will not diminish the significance of Anzac Day traditions.
“If anything, it is a reminder of its importance and another reason for people to get up, attend a local service and ensure the spirit of remembrance continues to be passed on to the next generation,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
Restaurants and cafes encouraged not to open
The NSW Returned and Services League (RSL) said it did not oppose the introduction of an additional public holiday after consulting with members.
“I’ve already had feedback from some smaller RSL organisations that … it may give them an opportunity to get together on the Monday,” its acting president Vince Williams said.
“Additionally, a public holiday on Monday will also provide many serving Australian Defence Force personnel who are required to work on Anzac Day itself with an opportunity to spend quality time with their loved ones.”
But the decision hasn’t garnered universal backing, with Minns acknowledging not all business groups were on board.
“We know that it’s somewhat of an additional burden for small businesses in particular,” he said.
“But this is, we believe, an important thing to do for the state.”
The decision will lift labour costs for hospitality venues to 75 and 100 per cent of sales, Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert warned.
“So we’ll be encouraging cafes and restaurants not to open,” he told ABC TV.
“It won’t just be a public holiday for office workers, it’ll be a public holiday for everyone.
“Hospitality businesses are on some of the lowest profit margins in history, below three per cent, and they just cannot wear another public holiday in NSW.”
Major lobby group Business NSW declined to comment on the decision.
Fewer public holidays in NSW
NSW has fewer public holidays than all other mainland states and territories.
Anzac Day is one of 10 public holidays recognised nationwide in 2026.
Most Australians get another three or four, including those in Victoria, Queensland, ACT and South Australia.
But NSW enjoys just two extra: the King’s Birthday in June and Labour Day in October.
Christmas Island celebrates an extra six, including two for Lunar New Year in February.
The Minns government will consider making the Anzac Day change permanent and decide if the number of statewide public holidays is enough.
It will look at economic and social impacts of the extra public holiday in 2026 and 2027 and be subject to feedback from community, business and veteran groups.
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