Victoria stands firm on Anzac Day

With Anzac Day set to fall on a weekend in both 2026 and 2027, Victoria will maintain its current public holiday arrangements, with no substitute Monday holiday planned.

Anzac Day will fall on Saturday 25 April in 2026 and Sunday 25 April in 2027. In Victoria, the day will continue to be observed on 25 April, regardless of whether it falls on a weekday or weekend.

Under the Public Holidays Act 1993, Anzac Day is fixed to its calendar date. Unlike Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, there is no automatic provision for a substitute public holiday if it lands on a Saturday or Sunday.

Victoria has 13 public holidays each year, the highest number in the country alongside the Australian Capital Territory. These include state-specific holidays such as the Friday before the AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Cup Day.

Even when Anzac Day falls on a weekend, it remains a restricted trading day. Most businesses must remain closed until 1.00pm to allow Victorians to attend dawn services, marches and commemorative events.

Exemptions apply to essential services including chemists and petrol stations, along with cafes and restaurants. Small businesses with 20 or fewer employees are also permitted to trade during the morning.

The decision means Victoria will differ from some other jurisdictions in 2026 and 2027.

New South Wales has announced it will introduce an additional Monday public holiday for both years when Anzac Day falls on a weekend. Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory also provide a substitute Monday public holiday in those circumstances.

Queensland and Tasmania currently follow the same approach as Victoria, observing Anzac Day on 25 April without an additional day off.

With the dates now confirmed for the next two years, attention has turned to how public holiday arrangements vary across the country when Anzac Day coincides with a weekend.