2024: How to turn 20 days of annual leave into up to 62 days off
Annual leave is precious, don't waste it! Here's the ultimate Australian travel hack to maximise your holidays in 2024.
Public holidays in Australia vary by state, but no matter where you live, you can turn 20 days of standard annual leave (the legal requirement for full-time workers) into at least 56 days of glorious holidays with some careful planning.
Our travel experts have done the hard work for every state and territory, working out which days you should book leave for to get the most time off.
Lucky ACT and NT residents get the most potential time off, with a possible 62 days of leave.
This list doesn't include half-days, retail holidays, bank holidays or city-specific breaks like the Ekka in Brisbane – if you score any of those, good luck and enjoy the extra leisure!
FULL GUIDES FOR: New South Wales – Victoria – Queensland – Western Australia – South Australia – Tasmania – Australian Capital Territory – Northern Territory
Finder Taylor Blackburn speaks to Sunrise about maximising your time off and how to make the most of your annual leave in 2024.
☀️ #SUNRISEON7 – 5:30am weekdays on Channel 7 and 7plus ☀️ pic.twitter.com/RX3ARuApie
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) January 3, 2024
How to turn your annual leave into 56 days off in NSW
There are 9 official public holidays in NSW in 2024. To get the most consecutive days off, plan for these breaks:
| Break | Start | Finish | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 2024 | Sat 30 Dec 2023 | Mon 1 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Australia Day | Fri 26 Jan 2024 | Sun 28 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Easter | Fri 29 Mar 2024 | Mon 1 Apr 2024 | 4 |
| Anzac Day | Sat 20 Apr 2024 | Sun 28 Apr 2024 | 9 |
| King's Birthday | Sat 8 Jun 2024 | Sun 16 Jun 2024 | 9 |
| Bonus weekend | Sat 3 Aug 2024 | Mon 5 Aug 2024 | 3 |
| Labour Day | Sat 5 Oct 2024 | Sun 13 Oct 2024 | 9 |
| Christmas/New Year | Sat 21 Dec 2024 | Sun 5 Jan 2025 | 16 |
| Total | 56 |
You could place the bonus weekend anywhere you like – I just positioned it to spread the holidays out.
To achieve this, book these dates for your annual leave:
- Mon 22 Apr 2024
- Tue 23 Apr 2024
- Wed 24 Apr 2024
- Fri 26 Apr 2024
- Tue 11 Jun 2024
- Wed 12 Jun 2024
- Thu 13 Jun 2024
- Fri 14 Jun 2024
- Mon 5 Aug 2024
- Tue 8 Oct 2024
- Wed 9 Oct 2024
- Thu 10 Oct 2024
- Fri 11 Oct 2024
- Mon 23 Dec 2024
- Tue 24 Dec 2024
- Fri 27 Dec 2024
- Mon 30 Dec 2024
- Tue 31 Dec 2024
- Thu 2 Jan 2025
- Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 58 days off in Victoria
There are 11 official public holidays in Victoria in 2024. For the most consecutive days off, aim for these breaks:
| Break | Start | Finish | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 2024 | Sat 30 Dec 2023 | Mon 1 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Australia Day | Fri 26 Jan 2024 | Sun 28 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Labour Day | Sat 9 Mar 2024 | Mon 11 Mar 2024 | 3 |
| Easter | Fri 29 Mar 2024 | Mon 1 Apr 2024 | 4 |
| Anzac Day | Sat 20 Apr 2024 | Sun 28 Apr 2024 | 9 |
| King's Birthday | Sat 8 Jun 2024 | Sun 16 Jun 2024 | 9 |
| AFL Grand Final | Fri 27 Sep 2024 | Sun 6 Oct 2024 | 10 |
| Melbourne Cup | Tue 5 Nov 2024 | Tue 5 Nov 2024 | 1 |
| Christmas/New Year | Sat 21 Dec 2024 | Sun 5 Jan 2025 | 16 |
| Total | 58 |
We're maxing out leave here by taking advantage of the AFL Grand Final holiday, a Victorian exclusive.
To get this result, book these dates for your annual leave:
- Mon 22 Apr 2024
- Tue 23 Apr 2024
- Wed 24 Apr 2024
- Fri 26 Apr 2024
- Tue 11 Jun 2024
- Wed 12 Jun 2024
- Thu 13 Jun 2024
- Fri 14 Jun 2024
- Mon 30 Sep 2024
- Tue 1 Oct 2024
- Wed 2 Oct 2024
- Thu 3 Oct 2024
- Fri 4 Oct 2024
- Mon 23 Dec 2024
- Tue 24 Dec 2024
- Fri 27 Dec 2024
- Mon 30 Dec 2024
- Tue 31 Dec 2024
- Thu 2 Jan 2025
- Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 56 days off in Queensland
There are 9 official public holidays in Queensland in 2024. To get the most days off, aim for these breaks:
| Break | Start | Finish | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 2024 | Sat 30 Dec 2023 | Mon 1 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Australia Day | Fri 26 Jan 2024 | Sun 28 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Easter | Fri 29 Mar 2024 | Mon 1 Apr 2024 | 4 |
| Anzac Day | Sat 20 Apr 2024 | Sun 28 Apr 2024 | 9 |
| Labour Day | Sat 4 May 2024 | Sun 12 May 2024 | 9 |
| Bonus weekend | Sat 3 Aug 2024 | Mon 5 Aug 2024 | 3 |
| King's Birthday | Sat 5 Oct 2024 | Sun 13 Oct 2024 | 9 |
| Christmas/New Year | Sat 21 Dec 2024 | Sun 5 Jan 2025 | 16 |
| Total | 56 |
You could place the bonus weekend I've put in August anywhere you like.
To get this result, book these dates:
- Mon 22 Apr 2024
- Tue 23 Apr 2024
- Wed 24 Apr 2024
- Fri 26 Apr 2024
- Tue 7 May 2024
- Wed 8 May 2024
- Thu 9 May 2024
- Fri 10 May 2024
- Mon 5 Aug 2024
- Tue 8 Oct 2024
- Wed 9 Oct 2024
- Thu 10 Oct 2024
- Fri 11 Oct 2024
- Mon 23 Dec 2024
- Tue 24 Dec 2024
- Fri 27 Dec 2024
- Mon 30 Dec 2024
- Tue 31 Dec 2024
- Thu 2 Jan 2025
- Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 59 days off in Western Australia
There are 10 official public holidays in Western Australia in 2024. To maximise your days off, plan for these breaks:
| Break | Start | Finish | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 2024 | Sat 30 Dec 2023 | Mon 1 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Australia Day | Fri 26 Jan 2024 | Sun 28 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Labour Day | Sat 2 Mar 2024 | Mon 4 Mar 2024 | 3 |
| Easter | Fri 29 Mar 2024 | Mon 1 Apr 2024 | 4 |
| Anzac Day | Sat 20 Apr 2024 | Sun 28 Apr 2024 | 9 |
| Western Australia Day | Sat 1 Jun 2024 | Sun 9 Jun 2024 | 9 |
| Bonus weekend | Sat 3 Aug 2024 | Mon 5 Aug 2024 | 3 |
| King's Birthday | Sat 21 Sep 2024 | Sun 29 Sep 2024 | 9 |
| Christmas/New Year | Sat 21 Dec 2024 | Sun 5 Jan 2025 | 16 |
| Total | 59 |
You could place the bonus weekend anywhere you like – I just positioned it to make the second half of the year more bearable.
To achieve this, book these dates for your annual leave:
- Mon 22 Apr 2024
- Tue 23 Apr 2024
- Wed 24 Apr 2024
- Fri 26 Apr 2024
- Tue 4 Jun 2024
- Wed 5 Jun 2024
- Thu 6 Jun 2024
- Fri 7 Jun 2024
- Mon 5 Aug 2024
- Tue 24 Sep 2024
- Wed 25 Sep 2024
- Thu 26 Sep 2024
- Fri 27 Sep 2024
- Mon 23 Dec 2024
- Tue 24 Dec 2024
- Fri 27 Dec 2024
- Mon 30 Dec 2024
- Tue 31 Dec 2024
- Thu 2 Jan 2025
- Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 59 days off in South Australia
There are 10 official public holidays in South Australia in 2024. To score the maximum number of consecutive days off, go for these breaks:
| Break | Start | Finish | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 2024 | Sat 30 Dec 2023 | Mon 1 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Australia Day | Fri 26 Jan 2024 | Sun 28 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Adelaide Cup Day | Sat 9 Mar 2024 | Mon 11 Mar 2024 | 3 |
| Easter | Fri 29 Mar 2024 | Mon 1 Apr 2024 | 4 |
| Anzac Day | Sat 20 Apr 2024 | Sun 28 Apr 2024 | 9 |
| King's Birthday | Sat 8 Jun 2024 | Sun 16 Jun 2024 | 9 |
| Bonus weekend | Sat 3 Aug 2024 | Mon 5 Aug 2024 | 3 |
| Labour Day | Sat 5 Oct 2024 | Sun 13 Oct 2024 | 9 |
| Christmas/New Year | Sat 21 Dec 2024 | Sun 5 Jan 2025 | 16 |
| Total | 59 |
You could place the bonus weekend anywhere that suits – that could be a good option for an unexpected flight sale or a family travel commitment.
To get this outcome, ask for these dates for your annual leave:
- Mon 22 Apr 2024
- Tue 23 Apr 2024
- Wed 24 Apr 2024
- Fri 26 Apr 2024
- Tue 11 Jun 2024
- Wed 12 Jun 2024
- Thu 13 Jun 2024
- Fri 14 Jun 2024
- Mon 5 Aug 2024
- Tue 8 Oct 2024
- Wed 9 Oct 2024
- Thu 10 Oct 2024
- Fri 11 Oct 2024
- Mon 23 Dec 2024
- Tue 24 Dec 2024
- Fri 27 Dec 2024
- Mon 30 Dec 2024
- Tue 31 Dec 2024
- Thu 2 Jan 2025
- Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 59 days off in Tasmania
There are 10 official public holidays in Tasmania in 2024. To get the most consecutive days off, plan for these breaks:
| Break | Start | Finish | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 2024 | Sat 30 Dec 2023 | Mon 1 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Australia Day | Fri 26 Jan 2024 | Sun 28 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Royal Hobart Regatta | Sat 10 Feb 2024 | Mon 12 Feb 2024 | 3 |
| Labour Day | Sat 9 Mar 2024 | Sun 17 Mar 2024 | 9 |
| Easter | Fri 29 Mar 2024 | Mon 1 Apr 2024 | 4 |
| Anzac Day | Sat 20 Apr 2024 | Sun 28 Apr 2024 | 9 |
| King's Birthday | Sat 8 Jun 2024 | Sun 16 Jun 2024 | 9 |
| Bonus weekend | Sat 7 Sep 2024 | Mon 9 Sep 2024 | 3 |
| Christmas/New Year | Sat 21 Dec 2024 | Sun 5 Jan 2025 | 16 |
| Total | 59 |
The bonus weekend can go anywhere you like. Outside Hobart, folks get Recreation Day on 4 November 2024 rather than the Royal Hobart Regatta holiday, but this doesn't affect the total.
To achieve this, book these dates for your annual leave:
- Tue 12 Mar 2024
- Tue 13 Feb 2024
- Thu 14 Mar 2024
- Fri 15 Mar 2024
- Mon 22 Apr 2024
- Tue 23 Apr 2024
- Wed 24 Apr 2024
- Fri 26 Apr 2024
- Tue 11 Jun 2024
- Wed 12 Jun 2024
- Thu 13 Jun 2024
- Fri 14 Jun 2024
- Mon 9 Sep 2024
- Mon 23 Dec 2024
- Tue 24 Dec 2024
- Fri 27 Dec 2024
- Mon 30 Dec 2024
- Tue 31 Dec 2024
- Thu 2 Jan 2025
- Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 62 days off in the Australian Capital Territory
There are a whopping 11 official public holidays in the ACT in 2024. Here's how to space them for maximum effect:
| Break | Start | Finish | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 2024 | Sat 30 Dec 2023 | Mon 1 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Australia Day | Fri 26 Jan 2024 | Sun 28 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Canberra Day | Sat 9 Mar 2024 | Mon 11 Mar 2024 | 3 |
| Easter | Fri 29 Mar 2024 | Mon 1 Apr 2024 | 4 |
| Anzac Day | Sat 20 Apr 2024 | Sun 28 Apr 2024 | 9 |
| Reconciliation Day | Sat 25 May 2024 | Mon 27 May 2024 | 3 |
| King's Birthday | Sat 8 Jun 2024 | Sun 16 Jun 2024 | 9 |
| Bonus weekend | Sat 3 Aug 2024 | Mon 5 Aug 2024 | 3 |
| Labour Day | Sat 5 Oct 2024 | Sun 13 Oct 2024 | 9 |
| Christmas/New Year | Sat 21 Dec 2024 | Sun 5 Jan 2025 | 16 |
| Total | 62 |
You could place the bonus weekend anywhere you like – that's useful for weddings, birthdays and other anniversaries.
To achieve this result, book these dates for your annual leave:
- Mon 22 Apr 2024
- Tue 23 Apr 2024
- Wed 24 Apr 2024
- Fri 26 Apr 2024
- Tue 11 Jun 2024
- Wed 12 Jun 2024
- Thu 13 Jun 2024
- Fri 14 Jun 2024
- Mon 5 Aug 2024
- Tue 8 Oct 2024
- Wed 9 Oct 2024
- Thu 10 Oct 2024
- Fri 11 Oct 2024
- Mon 23 Dec 2024
- Tue 24 Dec 2024
- Fri 27 Dec 2024
- Mon 30 Dec 2024
- Tue 31 Dec 2024
- Thu 2 Jan 2025
- Fri 3 Jan 2025
How to turn your annual leave into 62 days off in the Northern Territory
There are 11 official public holidays in the NT in 2024. To get the most consecutive days off, plan for these breaks:
| Break | Start | Finish | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 2024 | Sat 30 Dec 2023 | Mon 1 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Australia Day | Fri 26 Jan 2024 | Sun 28 Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Easter | Fri 29 Mar 2024 | Mon 1 Apr 2024 | 4 |
| Anzac Day | Sat 20 Apr 2024 | Sun 28 Apr 2024 | 9 |
| May Day | Sat 4 May 2024 | Mon 6 May 2024 | 3 |
| King's Birthday | Sat 8 Jun 2024 | Sun 16 Jun 2024 | 9 |
| Darwin Show Day | Fri 26 Jul 2024 | Sun 28 Jul 2024 | 3 |
| Picnic Day | Sat 3 Aug 2024 | Sun 11 Aug 2024 | 9 |
| Bonus weekend | Sat 5 Oct 2024 | Mon 7 Oct 2024 | 3 |
| Christmas/New Year | Sat 21 Dec 2024 | Sun 5 Jan 2025 | 16 |
| Total | 62 |
The table shows the Darwin Race Day holiday. Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek have different race days, but that doesn't affect the overall total.
To achieve this, book these dates for your annual leave:
- Mon 22 Apr 2024
- Tue 23 Apr 2024
- Wed 24 Apr 2024
- Fri 26 Apr 2024
- Tue 11 Jun 2024
- Wed 12 Jun 2024
- Thu 13 Jun 2024
- Fri 14 Jun 2024
- Tue 6 Aug 2024
- Wed 7 Aug 2024
- Thu 8 Aug 2024
- Fri 9 Aug 2024
- Mon 7 Oct 2024
- Mon 23 Dec 2024
- Tue 24 Dec 2024
- Fri 27 Dec 2024
- Mon 30 Dec 2024
- Tue 31 Dec 2024
- Thu 2 Jan 2025
- Fri 3 Jan 2025
Frequently asked questions
How do I maximise my annual leave?
The easiest way to maximise your annual leave dates is to work them around public holidays.
The big nationwide public holiday periods are Easter (where you're always guaranteed a 4-day weekend) and Christmas (where you're guaranteed at least 2 annual leave days off).
In 2024 Christmas and Boxing Day fall on a Wednesday and Thursday. Taking time off from 23 December through to 1 January 2024 gets you loads of time off without using too many days.
In 2024, Anzac Day falls on a Thursday, so taking days off around it also maximises your leave potential.
What if I want to save my leave?
If you're accumulating your leave for a bigger holiday down the track you can still have a few mini holidays throughout the year. Hone in on Monday public holidays for 3-day weekend breaks that won't use any annual leave.
When should I book my trip?
ASAP. These hacks work around public holidays which are peak travel seasons. If you know when you want to travel, submit your annual leave as soon as you can. Also, booking your trip as early as possible helps secure the best prices.
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