Christmas Eve & NYE Public Holidays: Which States Get Them?

Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are not full public holidays in most of Australia — but in three jurisdictions they become part-day public holidays from the evening. Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory are the ones to know.

Which states get part-day holidays?

State	Christmas Eve (24 Dec)	New Year's Eve (31 Dec)
Queensland	Part-day from 6pm	—
South Australia	Part-day from 7pm	Part-day from 7pm
Northern Territory	Part-day from 7pm	Part-day from 7pm
NSW, VIC, WA, TAS, ACT	—	—

In every other state, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are ordinary working days — often quiet, but not public holidays in law. Queensland is the odd one out among the three: it has the part-day Christmas Eve holiday but not New Year's Eve.

Why the evening timing matters

The part-day holiday covers the evening — from 6pm in Queensland and 7pm in SA and the NT through to midnight. For anyone working those hours in retail, hospitality or other shift work, public-holiday penalty rates apply for the part-day window, and standard public-holiday rules affect rostering and trading. For a 9-to-5 office worker it usually changes nothing.

What it means for your break

Part-day holidays don't give a full extra day off, so they rarely change leave planning on their own. The bigger end-of-year leverage comes from the Christmas substitute holidays when Christmas or Boxing Day fall on a weekend. Pair the two when you map out the shutdown.

Frequently asked questions

Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in Australia?

Only as a part-day holiday, and only in some states. Christmas Eve (24 December) is a part-day public holiday from the evening in Queensland (6pm), South Australia and the Northern Territory (7pm). It is not a public holiday in NSW, Victoria, WA, Tasmania or the ACT.

Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in Queensland?

Yes, from 6pm to midnight. Queensland has the part-day Christmas Eve public holiday but does not have a New Year's Eve part-day holiday.

Do I get public-holiday rates on Christmas Eve?

If you work the evening part-day window in Queensland, SA or the NT, public-holiday penalty rates generally apply for those hours under your award or agreement. Outside the part-day window, or in other states, ordinary rates apply. Check your specific instrument.

Is New Year's Eve a public holiday in Australia?

Only in South Australia and the Northern Territory, as a part-day holiday from 7pm. Everywhere else, including Queensland, New Year's Eve is an ordinary day.