The ACT government will introduce legislation in the Legislative Assembly today to guarantee a public holiday on Anzac Day, with an additional Monday holiday whenever April 25 falls on a weekend.
The Holidays (Anzac Day) Amendment Bill 2026 would replace the current case-by-case approach to declaring additional public holidays with permanent arrangements under the Holidays Act 1958.
Skills, Training and Industrial Relations Minister Michael Pettersson says the changes would give workers, businesses and government agencies greater certainty.
“Ensuring consistent arrangements for the Anzac Day public holiday guarantees an entitlement to a day off for workers, which isn’t always protected on an ordinary weekend,” Pettersson says.
The proposal follows public consultation between August 14 and September 11, which received mixed feedback on additional public holidays.
The ACT government previously declared additional Anzac Day public holidays in 2020, 2021 and 2026.
After 2027, Anzac Day will next fall on a weekend in 2032. Under the proposed changes, both April 25 and the following Monday would be public holidays whenever Anzac Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
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