Victorian workers and employers operate under a calendar of thirteen statewide public holidays for both 2024 and 2025, with additional regional observances creating local variations across non-metropolitan areas. The official schedule combines national commemorations including Anzac Day and Australia Day with Victoria-specific dates such as the AFL Grand Final Eve and Melbourne Cup Day.
The Business Victoria portal maintains the authoritative list under the Public Holidays Act 1993, while the Fair Work Ombudsman governs payment entitlements under federal legislation. Regional municipalities retain authority to substitute Melbourne Cup Day for local show days or declare additional half-day and full-day holidays for specific townships.
This guide presents the complete confirmed dates for 2024 and 2025, explains wage entitlements under the Fair Work Act 2009, and identifies restricted trading days that affect retail operations across metropolitan Melbourne and rural Victoria.
What are the public holidays in Victoria 2024?
| Total Holidays | National vs State | Paid Entitlement | Governing Law |
| 13 statewide dates | 10 national + 3 local | Full pay (non-worked) | Public Holidays Act 1993 |
- Victoria observes thirteen standard public holidays during 2024, including the Easter long weekend spanning four consecutive days.
- Three dates—Good Friday, Anzac Day, and Christmas Day—operate as restricted trading days with limited retail exemptions.
- The King’s Birthday holiday falls on Tuesday 11 June 2024, following the second Monday tradition but adjusted for the specific calendar year.
- AFL Grand Final Eve on Friday 27 September marks a Victoria-specific observance tied to the sporting event held on 28 September.
- Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 5 November applies statewide, though regional councils may arrange substitution dates.
- Easter dates vary annually based on lunar calculations, falling in late March during 2024.
- Regional areas may claim additional half-day or full-day holidays throughout October for local agricultural shows.
| Holiday | Date in 2024 | Trading Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Monday, 1 January | Normal |
| Australia Day | Friday, 26 January | Normal |
| Labour Day | Monday, 11 March | Normal |
| Good Friday | Friday, 29 March | Restricted |
| Easter Saturday | Saturday, 30 March | Normal |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday, 31 March | Normal |
| Easter Monday | Monday, 1 April | Normal |
| Anzac Day | Wednesday, 25 April | Restricted |
| King’s Birthday | Tuesday, 11 June | Normal |
| AFL Grand Final Eve | Friday, 27 September | Normal |
| Melbourne Cup Day | Tuesday, 5 November | Normal |
| Christmas Day | Wednesday, 25 December | Restricted |
| Boxing Day | Thursday, 26 December | Normal |
What are the public holidays in Victoria 2025?
Business Victoria has confirmed the complete 2025 calendar, with dates anchored to the Gregorian calendar except for the Easter period and Australia Day observance rules. The 2025 schedule maintains the same thirteen statewide holidays, though several dates shift to accommodate weekend substitution protocols.
Easter Period and Variable Dates
The Easter 2025 sequence begins with Good Friday on 18 April and extends through Easter Monday on 21 April, creating a four-day weekend. Australia Day falls on Sunday 26 January 2025, triggering the Monday 27 January observance rule. The AFL Grand Final Eve holiday is scheduled for Friday 26 September, preceding the Grand Final on 27 September.
When Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or New Year’s Day fall on weekends, the Public Holidays Act mandates substitute weekdays. In 2025, all three dates land on weekdays, so no substitutes apply.
Fixed Metropolitan Holidays
Melbourne Cup Day returns to Tuesday 4 November 2025 as a statewide public holiday, though non-metropolitan councils may exercise substitution rights under section 9 of the Public Holidays Act. King’s Birthday moves to Monday 9 June 2025, maintaining the second Monday in June tradition.
| Holiday | Date in 2025 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Wednesday, 1 January | Restricted trading day |
| Australia Day | Monday, 27 January | Observed Monday (26th is Sunday) |
| Labour Day | Monday, 10 March | — |
| Good Friday | Friday, 18 April | Restricted trading day |
| Easter Saturday | Saturday, 19 April | — |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday, 20 April | — |
| Easter Monday | Monday, 21 April | — |
| Anzac Day | Friday, 25 April | Restricted trading day |
| King’s Birthday | Monday, 9 June | — |
| AFL Grand Final Eve | Friday, 26 September | Friday before Grand Final |
| Melbourne Cup Day | Tuesday, 4 November | Statewide unless substituted |
| Christmas Day | Thursday, 25 December | Restricted trading day |
| Boxing Day | Friday, 26 December | — |
How many public holidays are there in Victoria and are they paid?
Victoria observes thirteen statewide public holidays annually, with the potential for fourteen or more in specific regional municipalities that declare additional local observances. This total exceeds the national minimum, reflecting Victoria’s unique AFL Grand Final Eve and Melbourne Cup Day designations.
Entitlements Under Federal Law
The Fair Work Act 2009 mandates that full-time and part-time employees receive paid leave on public holidays when they do not work. Employees who work on these dates receive penalty rates, typically calculated at two and one-half times the ordinary base rate, though specific multipliers vary by modern award or enterprise agreement.
Casual workers do not receive paid public holiday days off. Instead, they qualify for a 25% casual loading on their ordinary hourly rate. If required to work on a public holiday, they receive the applicable penalty rate in addition to this loading.
Restricted Trading Implications
Three dates—Good Friday, Anzac Day, and Christmas Day—carry restricted trading status under Victorian law. Most retail premises must remain closed unless they hold specific exemptions, such as small convenience stores, petrol stations, or pharmacies. This restriction operates independently of payment entitlements; employees of exempt businesses still qualify for public holiday penalties if working.
What are the regional public holidays in Victoria?
Non-metropolitan Victoria operates under a dual system where Melbourne Cup Day may be substituted for local show days, and additional half-day or full-day holidays apply to specific townships. The Business Victoria regional calendar lists these variations by municipal boundary.
Melbourne Cup Substitutions
While Melbourne Cup Day constitutes a statewide public holiday, non-metro councils may arrange alternative dates under the Public Holidays Act 1993. For example, Yarriambiack Shire observes a half-day on Tuesday 4 November 2025 in Warracknabeal, potentially overlapping with or substituting for the Cup depending on local proclamation.
Regional holiday dates change based on council proclamations issued under the Public Holidays Act. Workers in Warrnambool, Mildura, or Greater Geelong should confirm specific dates with their municipal authority, as these may differ from statewide observances.
Additional Regional Observances 2025
Beyond substitutions, regional areas observe specific dates for agricultural shows and local commemorations. These include full-day holidays in Warrnambool and Moyne Shire on 1 May, and multiple October dates across Hindmarsh Shire and Yarriambiack Shire. Greater Geelong and Greater Bendigo also declare specific October holidays for designated postcodes.
| Date | Municipality | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 1 May | Warrnambool City Council | Full day |
| Thursday, 1 May | Moyne Shire Council | Full day |
| Friday, 3 October | Yarriambiack Shire (Murtoa) | Full day |
| Wednesday, 8 October | Mildura Rural City (Boinka) | Full day |
| Thursday, 9 October | Yarriambiack Shire (Warracknabeal) | Half day |
| Tuesday, 14 October | Hindmarsh Shire (Rainbow) | Full day |
| Thursday, 16 October | Hindmarsh Shire (Nhill) | Full day |
| Wednesday, 22 October | Moira Shire (Numurkah) | Full day |
| Wednesday, 22 October | Greater Geelong City | Full day |
| Wednesday, 29 October | Greater Bendigo (west of Campaspe River) | Full day |
| Wednesday, 5 November | Macedon Ranges (specific localities) | Full day |
What is the next public holiday in Victoria?
The Victorian calendar follows a chronological progression from January through December, with cluster periods around Easter and October-November. The sequence commences with New Year’s Day and concludes with Boxing Day.
- New Year’s Day: 1 January marks the first observance, with restricted trading applying to large retail premises.
- Australia Day: 26 January commemorates the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet, observed on the Monday when it falls on a weekend.
- Labour Day: Second Monday in March honors the eight-hour workday movement.
- Easter Period: Good Friday through Easter Monday represents the longest consecutive holiday block, with variable dates between late March and April.
- Anzac Day: 25 April stands as the sole April observance, restricted for trading.
- King’s Birthday: Second Monday in June provides a mid-year break.
- AFL Grand Final Eve: Friday before the Grand Final in late September, a Victoria-specific addition since 2015.
- Melbourne Cup Day: First Tuesday in November, famous for the race that stops the nation.
- Christmas and Boxing Days: 25-26 December close the calendar, with Christmas restricted for trading.
Which Victorian public holiday details are confirmed versus provisional?
| Established Information | Pending or Variable Details |
|---|---|
| All 2025 statewide dates confirmed by Business Victoria gazettal | Exact AFL Grand Final date subject to AFL Commission fixture release (though 2025 scheduled for 27 Sept) |
| Regional holiday dates proclaimed through October 2025 | Potential additional municipal proclamations for late 2025 not yet gazetted |
| Fair Work Act payment rates current through 2025 | Specific penalty rate multipliers vary by award and require individual verification |
| Restricted trading days fixed: Good Friday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day | Exemption categories for restricted trading reviewed annually |
| Melbourne Cup Day substitution rights confirmed for non-metro councils | Specific substitution decisions made by individual councils closer to date |
How does Victoria determine its public holidays?
Victoria’s public holiday framework originates in the Public Holidays Act 1993 (formerly 1970), which establishes the Governor’s authority to proclaim special days and fixes the dates for statewide observances. The legislation distinguishes between metropolitan and non-metropolitan zones, granting rural municipalities flexibility to substitute Melbourne Cup Day for agriculturally significant local events. For a comprehensive overview of all observances, refer to the Victorian Public Holidays 2024 2025.
The AFL Grand Final Eve holiday represents a recent legislative addition, reflecting Victoria’s unique sporting culture. Unlike other states, Victoria does not observe the King’s Birthday on the same date nationwide; Western Australia and Queensland use different dates entirely. This state-level autonomy allows Victoria to maintain the Melbourne Cup as a statutory holiday, a practice dating to 1877, while other states treat it as a standard business day.
Where do these public holiday dates originate?
Official dates derive from proclamations published by the Victorian Government via Business Victoria and the Victoria Government Gazette. Payment entitlements and employment conditions fall under Commonwealth jurisdiction.
“Under the Public Holidays Act 1993, non-metropolitan councils may substitute Melbourne Cup Day for another local holiday or declare additional half-day or full-day holidays for specific townships.”
— Business Victoria, Regional Public Holidays Guidance
“Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to be absent from their employment on a day or part-day that is a public holiday. If they work, they are entitled to be paid at the rate for working on a public holiday.”
— Fair Work Ombudsman, Public Holidays Guide
What should Victorian workers and employers remember?
Victoria maintains thirteen statewide public holidays with two additional unique observances—the AFL Grand Final Eve and Melbourne Cup Day—that distinguish it from other Australian jurisdictions. Employers must adhere to restricted trading days on Good Friday, Anzac Day, and Christmas Day, while ensuring full-time and part-time staff receive paid leave or appropriate penalty rates. Regional workers should verify local council proclamations, as substitution dates and additional agricultural show holidays vary by municipality. For travel planning during these peak periods, consider reviewing the Spirit of Tasmania Geelong – New Terminal Guide 2026 or details regarding the Spirit of Tasmania Geelong – New Ferries Built in Finland.
Frequently asked questions
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Victoria?
Yes. Good Friday is a statewide public holiday and a restricted trading day. Retail businesses face trading restrictions unless exempted under specific categories such as small convenience stores or petrol stations.
Do part-time workers receive public holiday pay in Victoria?
Yes. Part-time employees under the Fair Work Act 2009 receive paid leave on public holidays if they do not work. If required to work, they receive penalty rates—which commonly calculate at 2.5 times the base rate—depending on their specific award.
What happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend?
When Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or New Year’s Day fall on Saturday or Sunday, the Public Holidays Act 1993 mandates observance on the next available weekday. In 2025, Australia Day falls on Sunday 26 January, so it is observed on Monday 27 January.
Is Melbourne Cup Day a public holiday throughout all of Victoria?
Melbourne Cup Day is a statewide public holiday on the first Tuesday of November. However, non-metropolitan councils may substitute this date for a local show day under section 9 of the Public Holidays Act 1993.
Do casual employees get paid for public holidays?
No. Casual workers do not receive paid public holidays. Instead, they receive a 25 percent casual loading on their ordinary hourly rate. If they work on a public holiday, they receive the applicable penalty rate in addition to this loading.
Are shops open on Anzac Day in Victoria?
Anzac Day is a restricted trading day. Most retail premises must remain closed until 1:00 PM, with exemptions for small shops, petrol stations, and pharmacies. Trading restrictions apply statewide regardless of metropolitan or regional location.
How many public holidays does Victoria have compared to other states?
Victoria observes thirteen statewide public holidays, exceeding the count in several other states due to the AFL Grand Final Eve and Melbourne Cup Day. Queensland and South Australia observe different totals, while Western Australia maintains separate dates for the King’s Birthday.
Thomas Walsh leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Australia Voice.