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The Long Weekends in 2021 and How to Get the Most Annual Leave Around Them

long-weekend-australia

No doubt you’re still easing back into the work week following a four-day weekend over Easter. If only we could go back and do it all again, right?

Being that it’s already April (not sure how that happened), a number of long weekends in 2021 have already been and gone, and with them the opportunity to take strategic annual leave to secure more time off work.

But fret not, because we’ve still a fair few public holidays to come in 2021, and if you know your way around a calendar, you can score some extra holidays around these too. We’ll show you how.

You may notice Anzac Day is missing from a few states in the below list. That’s because Anzac Day falls on Sunday 25 April in 2021, and New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania’s public holiday acts do not grant a day observed for public holidays that fall over a weekend.

These are the long weekends for the remainder of 2021, broken down by state and territory:

New South Wales

Monday 14 June 2021 – Queen’s Birthday

A June long weekend is the perfect opportunity for a skiing holiday. Take the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th off work to score a nine-day holiday in exchange for four days of annual leave.

Monday 2 August 2021 – Bank Holiday

The Bank Holiday in NSW lands on Monday 2 August in 2021. This is not considered a public holiday for all NSW residents, but being that the banks are closed on this day, some employees in the banking sector may get a day off.

Mon 27 December 2021 – Christmas Day

With Christmas Day landing on a Saturday, NSW gives an additional public holiday on the Monday that follows.

Tue 28 December 2021 – Boxing Day

With Boxing Day landing on a Sunday, NSW gives an additional public holiday on the Tuesday that follows. So, if you take three days off work in December (29th, 30th, 31st) and travel between Saturday 25 December and Sunday 2 January, you’ll get a nine-day break in exchange for three work days.

Victoria

Monday 14 June 2021 – Queen’s Birthday

Take four days (the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th) off work to secure a nine-day holiday in June.

Friday 24 September 2021 – Friday before AFL Grand Final

Use this holiday wisely, either to get ready for the big game, or by taking off September 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd to score a nine-day break in exchange for four annual leave days.

Tuesday 2 November 2021 – Melbourne Cup

Take Monday 1 November as annual leave for a four-day weekend. Too easy.

Mon 27 December 2021 – Christmas Day

With Christmas Day landing on a Saturday, Victoria gives an additional public holiday on the Monday that follows.

Tue 28 December 2021 – Boxing Day

With Boxing Day landing on a Sunday, Victoria gives an additional public holiday on the Tuesday that follows.

Queensland

Monday 26 April 2021 – Anzac Day

Queensland is one state that grants a public holiday for Anzac Day. Take the next four days off work (27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th) for a nine-day break.

Monday 4 October 2021 – Queen’s Birthday

Take four days (the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th) off work to secure a nine-day holiday in October.

Mon 27 December 2021 – Christmas Day

With Christmas Day landing on a Saturday, QLD gives an additional public holiday on the Monday that follows.

Tue 28 December 2021 – Boxing Day

With Boxing Day landing on a Sunday, QLD gives an additional public holiday on the Tuesday that follows.

Australian Capital Territory

Monday 26 April 2021 – Anzac Day

The ACT grants an observed public holiday for Anzac Day. Take the next four days off work (27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th) for a nine-day break.

Monday 31 May 2021 – Reconciliation Day

Enjoy the three day weekend or trade-in the following four days (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th April) of work as annual leave for a nine-day break.

Monday 14 June 2021 – Queen’s Birthday

Take four days (the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th) off work to secure a nine-day holiday in June.

Monday 27 December 2021 – Christmas Day

With Christmas Day landing on a Saturday, the ACT gives an additional public holiday on the Monday that follows.

Tuesday 28 December 2021 – Boxing Day

With Boxing Day landing on a Sunday, the ACT gives an additional public holiday on the Tuesday that follows.

Northern Territory

Monday 26 April 2021- Anzac Day

The NT grants an observed public holiday for Anzac Day. Take the next four days off work (27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th) for a nine-day break.

Monday 3 May 2021 – May Day

A three-day weekend is always a good thing, though a savvy holiday-maker could take off the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th for a nine-day escape.

Monday 14 June 2021 – Queen’s Birthday

Take four days (the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th) off work to secure a nine-day holiday in June.

Monday 2 August 2021 – Picnic Day

Take the three-day weekend, or block out the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th for a nine-day break.

Monday 27 December 2021 – Christmas Day

With Christmas Day landing on a Saturday, the NT gives an additional public holiday on the Monday that follows.

Tuesday 28 December 2021 – Boxing Day

With Boxing Day landing on a Sunday, the NT gives an additional public holiday on the Tuesday that follows.

South Australia

Monday 26 April 2021 – Anzac Day

SA grants an observed public holiday for Anzac Day. Take the next four days off work (27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th) for a nine-day break.

Monday 14 June 2021 – Queen’s Birthday

Take four days (the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th) off work to secure a nine-day holiday in June.

Monday 27 December 2021 – Christmas Day

With Christmas Day landing on a Saturday, SA gives an additional public holiday on the Monday that follows.

Tuesday 28 December 2021 – Boxing Day

With Boxing Day landing on a Sunday, SA gives an additional public holiday on the Tuesday that follows.

Tasmania

Monday 14 June 2021 – Queen’s Birthday

Take four days (the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th) off work to secure a nine-day holiday in June.

Monday 27 December 2021 – Christmas Day

With Christmas Day landing on a Saturday, Tasmania gives an additional public holiday on the Monday that follows.

Tuesday 28 December 2021 – Boxing Day

With Boxing Day landing on a Sunday, Tasmania gives an additional public holiday on the Tuesday that follows.

Western Australia

Monday 26 April 2021 – Anzac Day

WA grants an observed public holiday for Anzac Day. Take the next four days off work (27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th) for a nine-day break.

Monday 7 June 2021 – Western Australia Day

Enjoy a long weekend or take the following four days (8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th) as annual leave for a nine-day break.

Monday 27 September 2021 – Queen’s Birthday

Make use of the long weekend or take the following four days (28th, 29th, 30th, and 1st October) as annual leave for a nine-day break.

Monday 27 December 2021 – Christmas Day

With Christmas Day landing on a Saturday, WA gives an additional public holiday on the Monday that follows.

Tuesday 28 December 2021 – Boxing Day

With Boxing Day landing on a Sunday, WA gives an additional public holiday on the Tuesday that follows.

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