While it may seem like every man and his dog is on a European adventure right now, the reality is, many Aussies haven’t been able to take a good, solid chunk of time off for a couple of years now (thanks Covid).

Happily, with just a little bit of forethought, you can turn all of that around in 2023. Consider the following dates when planning your annual leave, and watch your paid time off double.

JANUARY

January 21 to January 29, 2023
Book four annual leave days to get nine days off

APRIL

April 1 to April 11, 2023
Book four annual leave days to get 10 days off

April 22 to April 30, 2023
Book four annual leave days to get nine days off

JUNE

June 10 to June 18, 2023
Book four annual leave days to get nine days off (this one doesn’t work for QLD & WA, sorry!)

DECEMBER

December 23, 2023 to January 2, 2024
Book three annual leave days to get 10 days off

Related story: 100 cities that deserve a place on your travel bucket list

Ready to get going? Here is a full list of 2023 public holidays in your state, to give you a helping hand.

Public Holidays in the ACT

1 January – New Year’s Day
2 January – Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
26 January – Australia Day
13 March – Canberra Day
7 April – Good Friday
8 April – Easter Saturday
9 April – Easter Sunday
10 April – Easter Monday
25 April – Anzac Day
29 May – Reconciliation Day
12 June – Queen’s Birthday
2 October – Labour Day
25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Boxing Day

Public Holidays in NSW

1 January – New Year’s Day
2 January – Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
26 January – Australia Day
7 April – Good Friday
8 April – Easter Saturday
9 April – Easter Sunday
10 April – Easter Monday
25 April – Anzac Day
12 June – King’s Birthday
2 October – Labour Day
25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Boxing Day

Public Holidays in the NT

1 January – New Year’s Day
2 January – Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
26 January – Australia Day
7 April – Good Friday
8 April – Easter Saturday
10 April – Easter Monday
25 April – Anzac Day
1 May – May Day
12 June – Queen’s Birthday
7 August – Picnic Day
24 December – Christmas Eve (7pm to midnight)
25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Boxing Day
31 December – New Year’s Eve (7pm to midnight)

Public Holidays in Queensland

1 January – New Year’s Day
2 January – Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
26 January – Australia Day
7 April – Good Friday
8 April – The day after Good Friday
9 April – Easter Sunday
10 April – Easter Monday
25 April – Anzac Day
1 May – Labour Day
16 August – Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane area only)
2 October – Queen’s Birthday
24 December – Christmas Eve (6pm to midnight)
25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Boxing Day

Public Holidays in South Australia

2 January – New Year’s Day (substitute day as New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday)
26 January – Australia Day
13 March – Adelaide Cup Day
7 April – Good Friday
8 April – Easter Saturday
10 April – Easter Monday
25 April – Anzac Day
12 June – Queen’s Birthday
2 October – Labour Day
24 December – Christmas Eve (7pm to midnight)
25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Boxing Day/Proclamation Day
31 December – New Year’s Eve (7pm to midnight)

Public Holidays in Tasmania

2 January – New Year’s Day (substitute day as New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday)
26 January – Australia Day
13 February – Royal Hobart Regatta (only observed in certain areas)
13 March – Eight Hours Day
7 April – Good Friday
10 April – Easter Monday
25 April – Anzac Day
12 June – Queen’s Birthday
6 November – Recreation Day (areas which do not observe Royal Hobart Regatta)
25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Boxing Day

Public Holidays in Victoria

1 January – New Year’s Day
2 January – Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
26 January – Australia Day
13 March – Labour Day
7 April – Good Friday
8 April – Saturday before Easter Sunday
9 April – Easter Sunday
10 April – Easter Monday
25 April – Anzac Day
12 June – King’s Birthday
7 November – Melbourne Cup
25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Boxing Day
TBC – Friday before AFL Grand Final (subject to AFL schedule)

Public Holidays in Western Australia

1 January – New Year’s Day
2 January – Additional public holiday for New Year’s Day
26 January – Australia Day
6 March – Labour Day
7 April – Good Friday
9 April – Easter Sunday
10 April – Easter Monday
25 April – Anzac Day
5 June – Western Australia Day
25 September – King’s Birthday (some regional areas hold the Monarch’s Birthday on a different date)
25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Boxing Day

Related story: 9 epic Australian destinations to inspire your next holiday