Holiday hacking: Turn 20 days into 57+ days off in 2025
Australians can nearly triple their time off work next year with some savvy planning, according to Finder.
Finder has taken a close look at the 2025 calendar to reveal how Australians can make the most of their annual leave.
By booking leave days strategically, Aussies can maximise their days off and get 57 days or more of holiday time in 2025.
Those living in the ACT are the luckiest and can get the most days off next year (63).
This is followed by Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory with 60 days. Those living in Victoria can get 59 days, while Queenslanders and those in NSW get the least (57 days).
Angus Kidman, Finder's editor-in-chief, recommended locking in your leave early for the best results.
"As the new year kicks off, many workers are already mapping out their holiday plans for 2025.
"These leave tricks work around public holidays which are always in high demand for travel. That's why it's smart to put in your annual leave request right away – don't risk missing out.
"Also, book your trip ASAP – the sooner you do, the better chance you have of snagging a great deal."
Finder data shows 65% of Australians – 13.6 million people – are planning a holiday in the next 12 months. The majority (28%) plan to travel only within Australia.
While 18% plan to go internationally, 19% plan to holiday both within Australia and overseas in the coming year.
Kidman said Easter and Christmas were prime opportunities to stretch your time off.
"The 2 nationwide public holiday periods of Easter and Christmas are great times to maximise your leave.
"You can enjoy a 16-day holiday in April by using 7 days of annual leave from 14-24 April.
"In 2025, Christmas and Boxing Day fall on Thursday and Friday, so you're automatically guaranteed a 4-day weekend without cutting into any annual leave. You only need to take 3 days (Monday–Wednesday) to have a 10-day holiday," Kidman said.
Are you planning a holiday in the next 12 months?
| Yes, within Australia | 28% |
| Yes, internationally | 18% |
| Yes, both within Australia and internationally | 19% |
| I'm not sure yet | 9% |
| I can't afford to go on a holiday | 8% |
| No | 18% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,010 respondents, December 2024 |  |
Maximum days off from 20 days of annual leave
| State/Territory | Number of days off |
| ACT | 63 days |
| WA | 60 days |
| Tasmania | 60 days |
| Northern Territory | 60 days |
| South Australia | 60 days |
| Victoria | 59 days |
| Queensland | 57 days |
| NSW | 57 days |
| Source: Finder | |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,010 respondents from December 2024.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.