Public Holidays WA 2026 and 2027: Dates and What You're Paid
Western Australia has 11 named public holidays a year. When some of them fall on a weekend, an extra substitute weekday is added: in 2026 that applies to Anzac Day and Boxing Day, and in 2027 to Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. WA's list differs from the eastern states: it includes Western Australia Day in June and holds the King's Birthday in late September, not June. Karratha and Port Hedland observe it on a different date again.
Dates checked against the WA Government public holiday list, last updated 2 September 2026. Pay rates checked against the Modern Award pay tables effective 1 July 2026.
WA public holidays 2026 and 2027
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thursday 1 January | Friday 1 January |
| Australia Day | Monday 26 January | Tuesday 26 January |
| Labour Day | Monday 2 March | Monday 1 March |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April | Friday 26 March |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday 5 April | Sunday 28 March |
| Easter Monday | Monday 6 April | Monday 29 March |
| Anzac Day | Saturday 25 April and Monday 27 April | Sunday 25 April and Monday 26 April |
| Western Australia Day | Monday 1 June | Monday 7 June |
| King's Birthday | Monday 28 September | Monday 27 September |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December | Saturday 25 December and Monday 27 December |
| Boxing Day | Saturday 26 December and Monday 28 December | Sunday 26 December and Tuesday 28 December |
Source: WA Government, Public holidays in Western Australia. Dates for 2028 had not been published at 21 October 2026.
Why some WA public holidays have two dates
WA adds a substitute weekday when certain holidays land on a weekend. When New Year's Day, Anzac Day or Christmas Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is also a public holiday. When Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the next Monday is also a holiday. When Boxing Day falls on a Sunday or Monday, the next Tuesday is also a holiday. Australia Day works differently: if 26 January is a weekend, the first Monday after it replaces it.
That is why 2027 ends with four public holiday dates in four days: Christmas Day (Saturday), Boxing Day (Sunday), Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December.
Regional King's Birthday: Karratha and Port Hedland
Some regional councils move the King's Birthday holiday to a local date. In 2026, the City of Karratha and the Town of Port Hedland observed it on Monday 3 August, in place of the 28 September holiday the rest of WA takes. If you work in those districts, including on a FIFO roster in the Pilbara, 28 September is an ordinary day there.
What you're paid to work a WA public holiday
If you're covered by a modern award (the national system, which includes most Pty Ltd companies), the award sets a public holiday penalty rate. In three of the biggest casual-employing awards, the rate is the same:
| Award (Level 1, adult) | Ordinary hourly rate | Public holiday: full-time / part-time (225%) | Public holiday: casual (250%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Retail Industry Award | $27.81 | $62.57 | $69.53 |
| Hospitality Industry (General) Award | $26.44 | $59.49 | $66.10 |
| Fast Food Industry Award | $27.81 | $62.57 | $69.53 |
Rates from each award's Schedule B / Schedule A pay tables, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Higher classification levels, juniors and apprentices have different dollar amounts; the percentages are the same.
Two things change this. Your enterprise agreement or contract can set different terms, as long as you're no worse off overall. And if you're employed by a sole trader, partnership or some trusts in WA, you may be in the state system, where WA state awards and the WA Government's Wageline service apply. If you're unsure which system covers you, our guide to the WA minimum wage and the two systems explains how to tell.
Do I get paid if I don't work a public holiday?
Full-time and part-time employees who would normally work that day are entitled to take it off and still be paid their base rate for the ordinary hours they would have worked. Casuals aren't paid for public holidays they don't work. An employer can ask you to work a public holiday, but the request must be reasonable, and you can refuse on reasonable grounds.
Want public holiday shifts? Where they are in Perth
Retail, hospitality, healthcare and logistics roster the most public holiday shifts. Browse casual jobs in Perth, retail jobs and hospitality jobs. For how Saturday and Sunday penalty rates compare, see weekend jobs in Perth and penalty rates.
Sources
- WA Government: Public holidays in Western Australia (dates, substitution rules, regional King's Birthday).
- General Retail Industry Award 2020 (MA000004), Schedule B.
- Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (MA000009), Schedule B.
- Fast Food Industry Award 2010 (MA000003), Schedule A.