NSW Grants Extra Anzac Day Holiday Amid Mixed Reactions
New South Wales is set to observe an extra public holiday this April, giving residents a long weekend following Anzac Day commemorations. Premier Chris Minns confirmed that for 2026 and 2027, the Monday after Anzac Day—April 26 this year—will be a state-wide holiday, aligning NSW with Western Australia and the ACT, where similar arrangements already exist.
This move comes as Anzac Day falls on a Saturday this year and a Sunday next year, traditionally leaving workers without a weekday off. Minns emphasized that the addition won’t diminish the solemnity of Anzac Day services, which remain scheduled nationwide on April 25. Instead, the extra day is intended to allow families, veterans and service personnel more time to reflect, gather and participate in post-commemoration activities.
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The Returned and Services League of NSW has expressed support, noting smaller RSL groups could use the day to convene more closely with colleagues or members they might miss on Anzac Day itself. Veterans Affairs Minister David Harris highlighted that the extra day provides service members who work on Anzac Day the chance to spend time with family, reinforcing the day’s significance on a personal level.
Not everyone, however, shares enthusiasm for the change. Some business groups and small business owners have raised concerns over additional costs, particularly in the hospitality sector, where labor expenses could rise sharply. Cafes and restaurants may be encouraged to close on the holiday to mitigate these impacts, while major business organizations have largely declined to comment.
This decision also shines a light on NSW’s relatively low number of public holidays compared with other states and territories. Residents here typically enjoy just two extra holidays beyond nationwide observances, while Victoria, Queensland, the ACT and South Australia offer several more. The Minns government has framed the trial as a step toward reassessing the state’s public holiday calendar, with a review slated for 2032, the next time Anzac Day falls on a weekend.
As the nation prepares to honor the courage and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women, this additional public holiday could reshape how communities engage with Anzac Day. It offers more than a day off—it’s an opportunity to pause, reflect and honor the enduring legacy of those who served.
Stay with us for ongoing coverage as NSW implements this change and watch how residents, businesses and communities respond to this historic adjustment to Australia’s commemorative calendar.
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