Complete List of Victoria Public Holidays 2025 & 2026
If you live or work in Victoria, knowing the upcoming public holidays and Daylight Saving arrangements is essential for planning your time off, events, and work schedules. Like other states, Victoria observes a range of official public holidays and follows Daylight Saving Time in sync with several other regions.
If you’re interested in how public holidays vary across Australia, you can also check out our detailed guide on Tasmania Public Holidays.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the official public holiday dates for Victoria in 2025 and 2026, plus explain the Daylight Saving Time schedule.
Table of Contents
- What are Public Holidays in Victoria?
- Daylight Saving Time in Victoria
- Victoria Public Holidays: Statewide Dates for 2025–2026
- What Happens When Holidays Fall on Weekends?
- Planning Around Public Holidays
- Conclusion
- See Also: Public Holidays Across Australia
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are Public Holidays in Victoria?
Public holidays in Victoria are officially recognised days when most employees are entitled to a paid day off. These include nationwide holidays such as Australia Day and ANZAC Day, as well as state-specific observances like the King’s Birthday and Melbourne Cup Day.
Victoria also designates certain days as restricted trading days, limiting retail trading hours on Good Friday, ANZAC Day, and Christmas Day.
Daylight Saving Time in Victoria
Victoria follows Daylight Saving Time (DST) aligned with New South Wales, ACT, South Australia, and Tasmania. The clock changes can affect work hours and appointments, especially if you deal with people or businesses across state borders.
- Starts: First Sunday in October
- Ends: First Sunday in April
Victoria Public Holidays: Statewide Dates for 2025–2026
| Holiday Names | Dates 2025 | Dates 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Wednesday, 1 January | Thursday, 1 January |
| Australia Day | Monday, 27 January | Monday, 26 January |
| Labour Day | Monday, 10 March | Monday, 9 March |
| Good Friday | Friday, 18 April 1 | Friday, 3 April |
| Easter Saturday | Saturday, 19 April | Saturday, 4 April |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday, 20 April | Sunday, 5 April |
| Easter Monday | Monday, 21 April | Monday, 6 April |
| ANZAC Day* | Friday, 25 April1 | Saturday, 25 April |
| King’s Birthday | Monday, 9 June | Monday, 8 June |
| Friday before the AFL Grand Final | Friday, 26 September | Subject to AFL schedule |
| Melbourne Cup | Tuesday, 4 November | Tuesday, 3 November |
| Christmas Day | Thursday, 25 December | Friday, 25 December |
| Boxing Day | Friday, 26 December | Saturday, 26 December & Monday, 28 December |
2025 Notes:
- ANZAC Day, Good Friday, and Christmas Day are restricted trading days in Victoria.
- Australia Day falls on a Sunday in 2025, so the public holiday is observed on Monday, 27 January.
- The AFL Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday, 27 September 2025. Therefore, the public holiday before the Grand Final will fall on Friday, 26 September.
- Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday across all of Victoria, unless a non-metro council has arranged an alternate local holiday.
2026 Notes:
- ANZAC Day, Good Friday, and Christmas Day remain restricted trading days.
- ANZAC Day is commemorated on the day it falls — no substitute holiday is given if it lands on a weekend.
- The date of the Friday before the AFL Grand Final will be confirmed when the 2026 AFL schedule is released.
- Melbourne Cup Day remains a public holiday across Victoria, unless replaced by a local council holiday.
- As Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the following Monday (28 December) is declared a public holiday as well.
What Happens When Holidays Fall on Weekends?
When a public holiday falls on a weekend, Victoria typically observes a substitute public holiday on the following Monday or, in some cases, the Tuesday to ensure workers don’t miss out on their entitlement.
Planning Around Public Holidays
Knowing Victoria’s public holidays in advance helps you:
- Plan long weekends or family trips
- Schedule work projects and deadlines
- Organise childcare or community events
Conclusion
Victoria’s public holidays and Daylight Saving changes offer a great chance to rest, celebrate, and catch up on important events. Stay informed of the official dates so you can plan ahead whether you’re working or enjoying time off.
If this guide helped you, feel free to share it with your friends or colleagues. Got questions? Drop a comment or visit the official Victorian Government website for the latest updates.
See Also: Public Holidays Across Australia
If you want to explore public holidays in other states, we’ve got you covered:
These guides can help you plan holidays no matter where you live or work in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there any restricted trading days in Victoria?
Yes, Good Friday, ANZAC Day, and Christmas Day have restricted trading hours.
When does Daylight Saving Time start and end in Victoria?
DST starts on the first Sunday in October and ends on the first Sunday in April.
What if I work on a public holiday?
You may be entitled to penalty rates or time off in lieu depending on your employment agreement or award.
Source: Victorian Government – Victorian Public Holidays 2025
