After a month of listening to Mariah Carey, attending Christmas parties and friendsmas celebrations, when Christmas Eve finally arrives we’re well and truly in holly-day mode. But sadly, most workplaces are not because in Australia Christmas Eve (December 24) is not a public holiday. 

While Christmas Day is a public holiday across the whole of Australia, Christmas Eve is not recognised as one, with a couple of exceptions. In the Northern Territory from 7pm to midnight on Christmas Eve is considered a public holiday. And in Queensland it is similar. Christmas Eve, from 6pm to midnight, is considered a public holiday in the Sunshine State. 

If you’re keen to capitalise on public holidays and add some annual leave days on either end to get a longer break and not burn through your annual leave, we did the holiday maths for you. Here is a guide on how you can double your annual leave in 2024. 

Related story: Here’s when all the major supermarkets will be open these holidays