Question 1

How many days of annual leave do I get in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Full-time employees in Australia are entitled to 4 weeks (20 days) of paid annual leave per year under the National Employment Standards (NES). Part-time employees receive the same entitlement on a pro-rata basis. Some enterprise agreements or individual contracts provide more. Shift workers may be entitled to 5 weeks. Annual leave accrues progressively throughout the year.

Question 2

Can my employer refuse annual leave?

Accepted Answer

Your employer can refuse annual leave requests on reasonable business grounds — for example, during busy periods, when other employees are already on leave, or when your role has critical deadlines. However, employers cannot unreasonably refuse leave. If you're accruing excessive leave (usually more than 8 weeks), your employer can direct you to take leave after proper notice under the Fair Work Act.

Question 3

What's the best time of year to take leave in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Easter (Good Friday–Easter Monday) is the highest-leverage long weekend in the calendar — taking the Tuesday after Easter Monday gives you a 5-day break using only 1 day of leave. The Christmas–New Year period often bridges two public holidays and weekend days into an extended break. ANZAC Day (25 April) frequently falls mid-week, and taking surrounding days can create a very efficient 5–7 day break.

Question 4

Do public holidays count against my annual leave?

Accepted Answer

No. If a public holiday falls during a period of annual leave, that day does not count as annual leave — you get that leave day back. For example, if you take 2 weeks over Christmas and there are 3 public holidays during that period, you're only charged 7 leave days, not 10. This makes the Christmas–New Year period particularly efficient.

Question 5

Can I get paid out my annual leave instead of taking it?

Accepted Answer

Generally no — annual leave cannot simply be cashed out in most awards and agreements. However, some enterprise agreements allow for limited cash-out arrangements. If your employment ends (resignation, redundancy, dismissal), any accrued but unused annual leave must be paid out at your ordinary rate of pay plus any applicable leave loading.

State	National PH	State-specific	Total 2026
NSW	8	2 (Bank Holiday, Easter Sat)	10
VIC	8	3 (AFL Grand Final Fri, Cup Day, Easter Sat)	11
QLD	8	3 (Easter Sat, Easter Sun, King's Birthday Oct)	11
WA	8	2 (WA Day, Easter Sun)	10
SA	8	3 (Easter Sat, Adelaide Cup, Proclamation Day)	11
TAS	8	2 + variable show days	10+
ACT	8	3 (Canberra Day, Family & Community Day, Easter Sat)	11
NT	8	4 (Easter Sat, May Day, Picnic Day, NT Show)	12

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