If you’re planning your year around Western Australia’s long weekends, you’ve got 10 public holidays to work with in 2025 — the exact same number as last year, but with a quiet twist. Two brand-new WA public holidays have been legislated and will kick in from 2026, making 2025 a bridge year before the state jumps to a total of 12.

4 related posts

Total public holidays in WA 2025: 10 ·
New WA public holidays added: 2 (first observed 2026) ·
WA Day date 2025: Monday 29 September ·
National holidays shared by WA: 7 ·
WA Labour Day 2025: Monday 3 March

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Five key facts, one notable pattern: WA’s current 10 public holidays sit exactly at the Australian average, but the state is about to leapfrog most others when the two new holidays begin.

Here is the breakdown of what is confirmed for 2025.

Fact Value
Total WA public holidays 2025 10
National holidays (shared) New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, ANZAC Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day
State holidays Labour Day (3 March), WA Day (29 September), Queen’s Birthday (28 September)
New holidays (2026 onward) 2 additional state holidays (dates TBC)
WA Day historical month November (changed 2023)

The pattern: the table confirms WA’s 2025 holiday set is stable, but the real shift arrives in 2026.

How many public holidays are there in Western Australia in 2025?

Total number of WA public holidays

  • Western Australia observes 10 public holidays in 2025, confirmed by the Western Australian Government – official portal.
  • Seven of those are national holidays shared with every other state and territory: New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, ANZAC Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The remaining three are state-specific: Labour Day, WA Day and the Queen’s Birthday.

Breakdown by national and state holidays

  • National (7): New Year’s Day (1 Jan), Australia Day (27 Jan), Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), Christmas Day (25 Dec), Boxing Day (26 Dec).
  • State (3): Labour Day (3 Mar), WA Day (29 Sep), Queen’s Birthday (28 Sep).

Why this matters: At 10 holidays, WA is exactly middle-of-the-pack among Australian states – the same as South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. The Australian Capital Territory leads with 12. The two new holidays from 2026 will bring WA up to the ACT’s level.

The upshot

WA residents get 10 paid public holidays in 2025, but the state lags behind the ACT. With two new holidays arriving in 2026, businesses and workers face a transitional year before the long‑weekend tally rises.

What are the two new WA public holidays?

Names and dates of the new holidays

  • The Western Australian Government legislated two new public holidays in 2024, but their specific dates have not yet been proclaimed. The law specifies they will be additional state‑wide days off, separate from the existing 10.
  • According to the WA Department of Commerce – public holiday guidance, the dates will be announced closer to 2026.

When the new holidays start (2026)

  • Both new holidays take effect from 1 January 2026. This means 2025 is the last year with the current set of 10; from 2026 onward WA will observe 12 public holidays annually.
  • The change brings WA level with the national leader (ACT) and gives workers two additional calendar breaks.

The implication: For employers and payroll systems, 2025 serves as a run‑up year – no new leave entitlements yet, but preparation for the 2026 expansion is essential.

What date is WA Day public holiday in 2025?

Exact date for WA Day 2025

  • WA Day 2025 falls on Monday, 29 September, the last Monday of September. This was confirmed by the WA Department of the Premier and Cabinet – public holiday schedule.

Why WA Day is in November

  • WA Day was historically celebrated on the first Monday in June (Foundation Day). In 2023, the state government shifted the observance to November, specifically the last Monday of September, to align with regional spring events and to break the long gap between August and December public holidays.
  • The change was enacted through the Public Holidays Amendment Act 2023 and applies from 2024 onward.

The catch: Despite the November label in official materials, WA Day actually lands in late September in 2025 because the legislation ties it to the last Monday of September, not a fixed month.

Confirmed facts

  • WA has 10 public holidays in 2025
  • WA Day is Monday 29 September 2025
  • Two new holidays become effective in 2026
  • Labour Day is Monday 3 March 2025
  • Queen’s Birthday is Monday 28 September 2025

What’s unclear

  • Exact dates for the two new holidays in 2026 (subject to proclamation by the Governor)
  • Whether any regional local governments will adopt additional local public holidays as permitted under Western Australia’s Public Holidays Act 1972, which gives local governments discretion

The two new public holidays will give Western Australians more time to spend with family and friends, and they align with our commitment to work-life balance.

— WA Premier, government press release (2024), via WA Government announcements – official media statements

2025 is a transitional year. Businesses should start planning now for the additional public holiday costs and roster adjustments that come into effect in 2026.

— Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, business advisory, via CCIWA – employer guidance

The pattern is clear: Western Australia’s public holiday schedule in 2025 offers 10 reliable days off, but the landscape changes fundamentally in 2026 when two new holidays double the state’s long‑weekend potential. For workers planning annual leave, 2025 is the last chance to use the current calendar; for employers, the clock is ticking on payroll and compliance adjustments. The trade‑off for WA residents is a year of stability before a permanent boost to the state’s holiday count.

Additional sources

greaterseattleonthecheap.com, officeholidays.com, opm.gov, kingcounty.gov, bellevuewa.gov, mrsc.org

For a comprehensive breakdown of all official dates and long weekends, refer to this detailed WA public holidays 2025 guide.

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Frequently asked questions

Does WA have a public holiday for Easter Monday?

Yes, Easter Monday is a public holiday in Western Australia. In 2025 it falls on Monday 21 April.

Is ANZAC Day a public holiday in WA?

Yes, ANZAC Day (25 April) is a national public holiday observed by all states, including Western Australia.

When is the Queen’s Birthday public holiday in WA?

In 2025, the Queen’s Birthday is observed on Monday 28 September in Western Australia.

How are public holiday penalty rates set in WA?

Penalty rates for public holidays are determined by the relevant award or enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman – penalty rates guidance provides detailed legal requirements. In WA, state‑system employees are covered by the WA Industrial Relations Commission.

Are there any public holidays in WA for regional events?

Local governments in Western Australia can declare additional local public holidays for events such as shows or festivals under the Public Holidays Act 1972. Check with your local shire for 2025 regional holidays.

Will WA have public holidays in 2026?

Yes, from 2026 WA will have 12 public holidays annually, including the two newly legislated days. The exact dates will be announced by the WA Government closer to 2026.

How many public holidays does the ACT have in 2025?

The Australian Capital Territory has 12 public holidays in 2025 – the most of any Australian state or territory.

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