Public holidays in Western Australia

The Public and Bank Holiday Amendment Act 2026 has made changes to WA’s public holiday schedule. These changes will commence in 2028.

The changes are:

• Labour Day will generally move to the second Monday in March (except during State Election years, when it will be held on the third Monday in March);
• WA Day will move to the second Monday in November;
• the King’s Birthday public holiday will be moved to the second Monday in June;
• Easter Saturday will be a public holiday; and
• Show Day will be a new public holiday to be set by proclamation to coincide with the first Monday of the September/October school holidays.

Some regional areas in WA will hold the King's Birthday 2027 public holiday on an alternative date to coincide with a significant date or event for that area. The dates for 2027 will be published when known. 

From 2028, some regional areas in WA will hold the Show Day public holiday on an alternative date, usually to coincide with a significant date or event for that area. The dates for 2028 will be published when known. 

In these regional areas, the alternative public holiday is observed instead of the public holiday observed in the rest of WA. The date on which the public holiday is observed in the rest of WA is not a public holiday in these regions.

Two systems of employment law operate for the private sector in Western Australia, the state industrial relations system and the national fair work system. Visit Which system of employment law applies for more information.

Pay rates and employment entitlements for public holidays are based on which system covers a particular employee, the employee’s award or agreement coverage, and whether they are full time, part time or casual.

National system employers and employees should visit the Fair Work Ombudsman or call 13 13 94.

State system employers and employees should visit Public holiday pay and arrangements.

** The National Day of Mourning on Thursday, 22 September 2022 was proclaimed as a special public holiday in WA.

# This public holiday was previously known as the Queen’s Birthday and from 2022 is known as the King’s Birthday.