When is Anzac Day?
In 2026, Anzac Day falls on Saturday, April 25, 2026. It is classified here as a Australian public holiday.
History of Anzac Day
Anzac Day in Australia has a distinct historical and social setting. It commemorates the 1915 landing of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps troops on the Gallipoli peninsula during the Allied Dardanelles campaign against the Ottoman Empire. The campaign failed and caused immense losses on all sides. Meaning later expanded beyond the original Anzacs to honour Australians who served and died in subsequent wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, rather than celebrating military victory.
Dawn services, marches, the Last Post and silence give the date its familiar form. Commemoration can also address grief, veterans' experiences, civilian suffering and First Nations personnel who served despite discrimination at home. April 25 is public everywhere, but weekend replacement is not national. In 2026 only the ACT, New South Wales and Western Australia add Monday, April 27.
Anzac Day applies as a public holiday in every Australian state and territory on April 25. Under the National Employment Standards, an employee may be absent on a declared public holiday; an employer may request work when reasonable, and an employee may refuse on reasonable grounds. Pay for absence, penalty rates, substitute leave and roster effects depend on the Fair Work Act together with the applicable award or enterprise agreement. Hospitals, transport, hospitality, banks and other essential or customer-facing services can continue operating.
How Anzac Day is observed
April 25 is a public holiday nationwide; an additional weekday exists only where a jurisdiction separately declares one. Coverage follows the employee's place of work and applicable industrial instrument, not merely the employer's head office.
Traditions of Anzac Day
Public life
Anzac Day is visible through dawn services, wreath-laying, silence and the Last Post, giving the date a recognisable place in every Australian state and territory on April 25's calendar.
Community practice
People mark Anzac Day through marches involving veterans, descendants, service organisations and community groups, although participation and local programmes vary across Australian communities.
Practical planning
For Anzac Day, wearing rosemary or poppies and learning family histories without glorifying combat; workers and employers also check local notices, rosters, awards and enterprise agreements.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Australian Government and Fair Work guidance. State and territory public-holiday rules vary, so the relevant local government calendar should be checked.
History sources: Fair Work Ombudsman: 2026 public holidays by state and territory, Fair Work Ombudsman: public holidays and the National Employment Standards, Federal Register of Legislation: Fair Work Act 2009, Australian War Memorial: Anzac Day traditions.
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