Western Australia Might Add a New Public Holiday in calendar —Here’s What You Need to Know

Premier Roger Cook has announced that Western Australia (WA) may soon gain an additional public holiday, with potential changes to the state’s holiday calendar on the horizon. The Premier’s remarks highlight ongoing frustrations within the business community and broader public over the misalignment between WA’s public holidays and those observed on Australia’s east coast.

Why the Push for Change?

The call for a new public holiday in WA comes amid growing concern about the lack of synchronicity with other Australian states. While much of the east coast—including Victoria, New South Wales, ACT, Tasmania, South Australia, and the Northern Territory—celebrates the King’s Birthday holiday in June, WA observes it much later in the year, on September 29. Queensland marks the occasion in early October.

This misalignment disrupts business operations, particularly for companies with teams or partners across state lines. “It’s ridiculous we have a situation where Western Australia closes its doors when the east coast is open for business,” Premier Cook stated. He noted that the current arrangement frustrates business owners who struggle to coordinate with colleagues in different states.

Reviewing WA’s Public Holiday Calendar

Premier Cook has launched a comprehensive review of WA’s public holidays. The review will consider:

• Moving the King’s Birthday public holiday to better align with other states

• Shifting WA Day from its current mid-winter date to a more pleasant spring period

• Adding new public holidays to the calendar

The Premier emphasized that changes are not imminent, with most adjustments likely to take effect in 2027, though some could be introduced as early as 20261

Current Public Holidays in Western Australia

WA currently observes 11 public holidays, including Easter Sunday, which was added recently. This puts the state behind Victoria and the ACT, each with 13 public holidays. Here’s an overview of WA’s public holidays for 2025–2027:

Note: Easter Sunday became a public holiday in WA in 2022.

Business and Community Reactions

The prospect of a new public holiday has been met with mixed reactions. Many workers welcome the idea of an extra day off, while business groups—especially small business owners—express concern about increased costs and operational challenges.

“Someone might see a public holiday as a benefit, but for a small business, they just see another day when they’ve got to pay $65 an hour for someone to wash dishes. It’s really difficult for small business,” said a representative from WA’s peak business lobby. The Premier acknowledged these concerns, stating that any decision to add a public holiday would not be taken lightly.

Potential Impact and Future Steps

The review aims to achieve better alignment with the east coast and address longstanding frustrations. By moving holidays like WA Day to spring, the state could enjoy better weather for celebrations and community events. The Premier also hinted at the possibility of additional holidays, though the specifics remain undecided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When will the new public holiday be introduced in WA?
A: The new public holiday or calendar changes are most likely to take effect in 2027, with a possibility for some adjustments in 2026.

Q2: Why is the King’s Birthday celebrated on different dates across Australia?
A: Each state sets its own date for the King’s Birthday public holiday. WA currently observes it in late September, while most east coast states celebrate it in Jun.

Q3: How many public holidays does WA have compared to other states?
A: WA currently has 11 public holidays, while Victoria and the ACT each have.

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