How to Make the Most of Your Annual Leave in 2020
Want to get away from your desk for a proper break but don’t want to dip too far into your four weeks of annual leave? It’s possible to get more time to recharge without taking unpaid days off – if you know when to schedule it. This is how to make your annual leave allocation work harder for you by using Australia’s public holidays to your advantage.
New South Wales
January
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 25 January – Monday, 3 February
Public holiday: Monday, 27 January (Australia Day falls on Sunday, 26 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 28 January; Wednesday, 29 January; Thursday, 30 January; Friday, 31 January
April
Swap nine days annual leave for an 17-day break
When to travel: Friday, 10 April – Monday, 27 April
Public holidays: Friday, 10 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 11 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 12 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 13 April (Easter Monday); Saturday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 14 April; Wednesday, 15 April; Thursday, 16 April; Friday, 17 April; Monday, 20 April; Tuesday, 21 April, Wednesday, 22 April, Thursday, 23 April; Friday, 24 April
June
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 6 June – Sunday, 14 June
Public holiday: Monday, 8 June (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 9 June; Wednesday, 10 June; Thursday, 11 June; Friday, 12 June
October
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 3 October – Sunday, 11 October
Public holiday: Monday, 5 October (Labour Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 6 October; Wednesday, 7 October; Thursday, 8 October; Friday, 9 October
December
Swap three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel: Friday, 25 December – Sunday, 3 January
Public holidays: Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Boxing Day falls on a Saturday so the Monday becomes the public holiday); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: 100 Australian Bucket-List Travel Experiences
Victoria
January
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 25 January – Monday, 3 February
Public holiday: Monday, 27 January (Australia Day falls on Sunday, 26 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 28 January; Wednesday, 29 January; Thursday, 30 January; Friday, 31 January
March
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 7 March – Sunday, 15 March
Public holiday: Wednesday, 11 March (Labour Day)
Days to book: Monday, 9 March; Tuesday, 10 March; Thursday, 12 March; Friday, 13 March
April
Swap nine days annual leave for an 17-day break
When to travel: Friday, 10 April – Monday, 27 April
Public holidays: Friday, 10 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 11 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 12 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 13 April (Easter Monday); Saturday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 14 April; Wednesday, 15 April; Thursday, 16 April; Friday, 17 April; Monday, 20 April; Tuesday, 21 April, Wednesday, 22 April, Thursday, 23 April; Friday, 24 April
June
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 6 June – Sunday, 14 June
Public holiday: Monday, 8 June (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 9 June; Wednesday, 10 June; Thursday, 11 June; Friday, 12 June
September
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 19 September – Sunday, 27 September
Public holiday: Friday, 25 September (Grand Final Friday – to be confirmed)
Days to book: Monday, 21 September; Tuesday, 22 September; Wednesday, 23 September; Thursday, 24 September
November
Swap a day of annual leave for a four-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 31 October – Tuesday, 3 November
Public holiday: Tuesday, 3 November (Melbourne Cup Day)
Days to book: Monday, 2 November
December
Swap three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel: Friday, 25 December – Sunday, 3 January
Public holidays: Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Boxing Day falls on a Saturday so the Monday becomes the public holiday); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: The Best Boutique Hotels in Melbourne
Western Australia
January
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 25 January – Monday, 3 February
Public holiday: Monday, 27 January (Australia Day falls on Sunday, 26 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 28 January; Wednesday, 29 January; Thursday, 30 January; Friday, 31 January
March
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 29 February – Sunday, 8 March
Public holiday: Monday, 2 March (Labour Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 3 March; Wednesday, 4 March; Thursday, 5 March; Friday, 6 March
April
Swap nine days annual leave for an 18-day break
When to travel: Friday, 10 April – Monday, 27 April
Public holidays: Friday, 10 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 11 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 12 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 13 April (Easter Monday); Monday, 27 April (WA’s ANZAC public holiday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 14 April; Wednesday, 15 April; Thursday, 16 April; Friday, 17 April; Monday, 20 April; Tuesday, 21 April, Wednesday, 22 April, Thursday, 23 April; Friday, 24 April
June
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 30 May – Sunday, 7 June
Public holiday: Monday, 1 June (Western Australia Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 2 June; Wednesday, 3 June; Thursday, 4 June; Friday, 5 June
September
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 26 September – Sunday, 4 October
Public holiday: Monday, 28 September (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 29 October; Wednesday, 30 September; Thursday, 1 October; Friday, 2 October
December
Swap three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel: Friday, 25 December – Sunday, 3 January
Public holidays: Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Boxing Day falls on a Saturday so the Monday becomes the public holiday); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: Why The Kimberley Needs to Be On Your Aussie Bucket List
Queensland
January
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 25 January – Monday, 3 February
Public holiday: Monday, 27 January (Australia Day falls on Sunday, 26 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 28 January; Wednesday, 29 January; Thursday, 30 January; Friday, 31 January
April
Swap nine days annual leave for an 17-day break
When to travel: Friday, 10 April – Monday, 27 April
Public holidays: Friday, 10 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 11 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 12 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 13 April (Easter Monday); Saturday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 14 April; Wednesday, 15 April; Thursday, 16 April; Friday, 17 April; Monday, 20 April; Tuesday, 21 April, Wednesday, 22 April, Thursday, 23 April; Friday, 24 April
May
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 2 May – Sunday, 10 May
Public holidays: Monday, 4 May (Labour Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 5 May; Wednesday, 6 May; Thursday, 7 May; Friday, 8 May
August
If you’re in Brisbane, swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 8 August – Sunday, 16 August
Public holiday: Wednesday, 12 August (Royal Queensland Show)
Days to book: Monday, 10 August; Tuesday, 11 August; Thursday, 13 August; Friday, 14 August
October
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 3 October – Sunday, 11 October
Public holiday: Monday, 5 October (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 5 October; Wednesday, 7 October; Thursday, 8 October; Friday, 9 October
December
Swap three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel: Friday, 25 December – Sunday, 3 January
Public holidays: Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Boxing Day falls on a Saturday so the Monday becomes the public holiday); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: How to Spend a Weekend in Brisbane
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Northern Territory
January
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 25 January – Monday, 3 February
Public holiday: Monday, 27 January (Australia Day falls on Sunday, 26 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 28 January; Wednesday, 29 January; Thursday, 30 January; Friday, 31 January
April
Swap nine days annual leave for an 17-day break
When to travel: Friday, 10 April – Monday, 27 April
Public holidays: Friday, 10 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 11 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 12 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 13 April (Easter Monday); Saturday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 14 April; Wednesday, 15 April; Thursday, 16 April; Friday, 17 April; Monday, 20 April; Tuesday, 21 April, Wednesday, 22 April, Thursday, 23 April; Friday, 24 April
May
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 2 May – Sunday, 10 May
Public holidays: Monday, 4 May (May Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 5 May; Wednesday, 6 May; Thursday, 7 May; Friday, 8 May
June
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 6 June – Sunday, 14 June
Public holiday: Monday, 8 June (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 9 June; Wednesday, 10 June; Thursday, 11 June; Friday, 12 June
August
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 1 August – Sunday, 9 August
Public holiday: Monday, 3 August (Picnic Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 4 August; Wednesday, 5 August; Thursday, 6 August; Friday, 7 August
December
Swap three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel: Friday, 25 December – Sunday, 3 January
Public holidays: Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Boxing Day falls on a Saturday so the Monday becomes the public holiday); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: Why Katherine is the Perfect Gateway for Your Outback Holiday
South Australia
January
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 25 January – Monday, 3 February
Public holiday: Monday, 27 January (Australia Day falls on Sunday, 26 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 28 January; Wednesday, 29 January; Thursday, 30 January; Friday, 31 January
March
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 7 March – Sunday, 15 March
Public holiday: Monday, 9 March (Adelaide Cup Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 10 March; Wednesday, 11 March; Thursday, 12 March; Friday, 13 March
April
Swap nine days annual leave for an 17-day break
When to travel: Friday, 10 April – Monday, 27 April
Public holidays: Friday, 10 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 11 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 12 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 13 April (Easter Monday); Saturday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 14 April; Wednesday, 15 April; Thursday, 16 April; Friday, 17 April; Monday, 20 April; Tuesday, 21 April, Wednesday, 22 April, Thursday, 23 April; Friday, 24 April
June
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 6 June – Sunday, 16 June
Public holiday: Monday, 8 June (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 9 June; Wednesday, 10 June; Thursday, 11 June; Friday, 12 June
October
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 3 October – Sunday, 11 October
Public holiday: Monday, 5 October (Labour Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 6 October; Wednesday, 7 October; Thursday, 8 October; Friday, 9 October
December
Swap three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel: Friday, 25 December – Sunday, 3 January
Public holidays: Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Boxing Day falls on a Saturday so the Monday becomes the public holiday); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: This is How to Spend a Perfect Day in Adelaide
Australian Capital Territory
January
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 25 January – Monday, 3 February
Public holiday: Monday, 27 January (Australia Day falls on Sunday, 26 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 28 January; Wednesday, 29 January; Thursday, 30 January; Friday, 31 January
March
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 7 March – Sunday, 15 March
Public holiday: Monday, 9 March (Canberra Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 11 March; Wednesday, 12 March; Thursday, 13 March; Friday, 14 March
April
Swap nine days annual leave for an 17-day break
When to travel: Friday, 10 April – Monday, 27 April
Public holidays: Friday, 10 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 11 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 12 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 13 April (Easter Monday); Saturday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 14 April; Wednesday, 15 April; Thursday, 16 April; Friday, 17 April; Monday, 20 April; Tuesday, 21 April, Wednesday, 22 April, Thursday, 23 April; Friday, 24 April
May/June
Swap four days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 30 May – Monday 8 June
Public holiday: Monday, 1 June (Reconciliation Day), Monday, 8 June (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 2 June; Wednesday, 3 June; Thursday, 4 June; Friday, 5 June
October
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 5 October – Sunday, 13 October
Public holiday: Monday, 7 October (Labour Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 8 October; Wednesday, 9 October; Thursday, 10 October; Friday, 11 October
December
Swap three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel: Friday, 25 December – Sunday, 3 January
Public holidays: Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Boxing Day falls on a Saturday so the Monday becomes the public holiday); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: A Family-friendly Guide to Canberra
Tasmania
January
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 25 January – Monday, 3 February
Public holiday: Monday, 27 January (Australia Day falls on Sunday, 26 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 28 January; Wednesday, 29 January; Thursday, 30 January; Friday, 31 January
March
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 7 March – Sunday, 15 March
Public holiday: Monday, 9 March (Eight Hours Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 10 March; Wednesday, 11 March; Thursday, 12 March; Friday, 13 March
April
Swap nine days annual leave for an 17-day break
When to travel: Friday, 10 April – Monday, 27 April
Public holidays: Friday, 10 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 11 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 12 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 13 April (Easter Monday); Saturday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 14 April; Wednesday, 15 April; Thursday, 16 April; Friday, 17 April; Monday, 20 April; Tuesday, 21 April, Wednesday, 22 April, Thursday, 23 April; Friday, 24 April
June
Swap four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel: Saturday, 6 June – Sunday, 14 June
Public holiday: Monday, 8 June (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book: Tuesday, 9 June; Wednesday, 10 June; Thursday, 11 June; Friday, 12 June
December
Swap three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel: Friday, 25 December – Sunday, 3 January
Public holidays: Friday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 28 December (Boxing Day falls on a Saturday so the Monday becomes the public holiday); Friday, 1 January (New Year’s Day)
Days to book: Tuesday, 29 December; Wednesday, 30 December; Thursday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: Is Tasmania the Ultimate Family Destination?
