Anzac Day 2026 public holiday rules and double demerits across Australia
Consensus Summary
Anzac Day 2026 falls on a Saturday, leading to varied public holiday arrangements across Australia. NSW, Western Australia, and the ACT granted a public holiday on Monday, April 27, while other states and territories did not. The ACT initially resisted recognizing Saturday as a public holiday but later relented due to union pressure. Double demerit points for driving offences apply in NSW, the ACT, and WA from April 24 to April 27, with WA’s regime covering more offences. Concerns were raised by businesses and some members of the public about the impact of the Monday public holiday on trade and the solemnity of Anzac Day, though the Returned and Services League NSW did not oppose the change. NSW has already confirmed the Monday public holiday for 2027 as well, given Anzac Day will again fall on a weekend.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Anzac Day falls on a Saturday in 2026 (April 25)
- NSW, Western Australia, and the ACT grant a public holiday on Monday, April 27, 2026, following Anzac Day
- Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia do not have a public holiday on Monday, April 27, 2026
- NSW and the ACT have double demerit points for driving offences from 12:01am Friday, April 24, to 11:59pm Monday, April 27, 2026
- WA’s double demerit regime applies from 12:01am Friday, April 24, to 11:59pm Monday, April 27, 2026, covering more offences (e.g., drink/drug-driving, red lights)
- Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the NT do not have time-specific double demerits for Anzac Day 2026
- NSW has locked in the Monday public holiday for 2027 as well, as Anzac Day will again fall on a weekend
- Anzac Day commemorates 111 years since the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli in Turkey during WWI
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The ACT government initially did not recognize Saturday, April 25, as an official public holiday but later bowed to pressure from the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association to declare it a public holiday.
- The NSW government decided in mid-February 2026 to grant a public holiday on Monday, April 27, 2026.
- The Returned and Services League NSW acting president Vince Williams stated that members did not oppose the introduction of the additional public holiday on Monday.
- Some sections of the public suggested granting a public holiday on Monday detracted from the solemnity of Anzac Day.
- Hospitality and retail businesses expressed concerns about covering public holiday wages and/or losing a day’s trade due to the Monday public holiday.
- Double demerits in WA apply to more offences than in NSW and the ACT, including drink and drug-driving, and running red lights.
- Double demerits apply to where the driver is licensed; a NSW license holder caught on their phone while driving in Victoria on Monday will receive double demerits.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 (SBS) does not mention the ACT’s initial refusal to recognize Saturday, April 25, as a public holiday, while Article 2 (NEWSCOMAU) reports this detail.
Source Articles
Who gets a public holiday for Anzac Day across Australia?
Anzac Day falls on a Saturday this year, with new rule changes coming into effect for the first time.
Who gets an Anzac long weekend
Not all states get an Anzac Day long weekend, as the memorial day falls on a Saturday this year.