Get a head start on your holiday and day trip planning for Sydney and New South Wales with our handy list of NSW public holidays and long weekends for 2023.
Please take note that the Bank Holiday happens on the first Monday in August each year in New South Wales, but it is not a statewide public holiday. The bank holiday is only for employees of banks and certain financial institutions.
Don’t miss our summary of NSW school holidays to help you make the most of the upcoming days off this year and next year.
NSW Public Holidays 2023
In 2023, the state of New South Wales will recognise 13 public holidays. These holidays are divided into three categories – national, state and regional. National holidays are those recognised throughout the country, such as New Year’s Day, Easter Monday and ANZAC Day.
State public holidays are exclusive to NSW and include Labour Day, which falls on the first Monday of October, and Queen’s Birthday, which is celebrated in June. Regional public holidays are declared by local councils and are often related to local events or historical occurrences.
Examples of regional holidays in NSW include the Liverpool Show Holiday and the South Sydney District Anniversary Day.
Start planning your next holiday or event with these 2023 NSW public holidays in mind:
| New Year’s Day | Sun | 1-Jan |
| New Year Holiday | Mon | 2-Jan |
| Australia Day | Thu | 26-Jan |
| Good Friday | Fri | 7-Apr |
| Day following Good Friday | Sat | 8-Apr |
| Easter Sunday | Sun | 9-Apr |
| Easter Monday | Mon | 10-Apr |
| Anzac Day | Tue | 25-Apr |
| Queen’s Birthday | Mon | 12-Jun |
| Labour Day | Mon | 2-Oct |
| Christmas Day | Mon | 25-Dec |
| Boxing Day | Tue | 26-Dec |
NSW public holidays are legislated under the Public Holidays Act 2010.
What about the NSW Banking Holiday?
Every year, the people of New South Wales observe a bank holiday on the first Monday of August. This day is exclusive to employees who work in the banking and finance sector, and is legally enforced by the Banks and Bank Holidays Act 1912.
The Act requires all banks in New South Wales to be closed for the day, and other financial businesses may also close as a result of their employment awards or agreements.
This bank holiday provides a much-needed break and an opportunity to relax and enjoy the long weekend. It is an important part of New South Wales culture and is celebrated by the public annually.
NSW Public Holidays 2022 – Previous dates
Check out the calendar for the 2022 NSW public holidays:
| New Year’s Day | Sat | 1-Jan |
| New Year Holiday | Mon | 3-Jan |
| Australia Day | Wed | 26-Jan |
| Good Friday | Fri | 15-Apr |
| Day following Good Friday | Sat | 16-Apr |
| Easter Sunday | Sun | 17-Apr |
| Easter Monday | Mon | 18-Apr |
| Anzac Day | Mon | 25-Apr |
| Queen’s Birthday | Mon | 13-Jun |
| Labour Day | Mon | 3-Oct |
| Christmas Day | Sun | 25-Dec |
| Boxing Day | Mon | 26-Dec |
| Christmas Holiday | Tue | 27-Dec |
NSW Public Holidays 2021
Check out the calendar for the 2021 NSW public holidays:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Friday |
| Australia Day | 26 January | Tuesday |
| Good Friday | 2 April | Friday |
| Easter Saturday | 3 April | Saturday |
| Easter Sunday | 4 April | Sunday |
| Easter Monday | 5 April | Monday |
| Anzac Day | 25 April | Sunday |
| Queen’s Birthday | 14 June | Monday |
| Bank Holiday* | 2 August | Monday |
| Labour Day | 4 October | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Saturday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Sunday |
| Additional Day | 27 December | Monday |
| Additional Day | 28 December | Tuesday |
* Note Bank Holidays only apply to banks and some financial institutions
NSW Public Holidays 2020
Here is the calendar for the 2020 NSW public holidays:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Wednesday |
| Australia Day | 27 January | Monday |
| Good Friday | 10 April | Friday |
| Easter Saturday | 11 April | Saturday |
| Easter Sunday | 12 April | Sunday |
| Easter Monday | 13 April | Monday |
| Anzac Day | 25 April | Saturday |
| Queen’s Birthday | 8 June | Monday |
| Bank Holiday* | 3 August | Monday |
| Labour Day | 5 October | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Saturday |
| Additional Day | 28 December | Monday |
Note: There is no public holiday for Mothers Day Australia but it does always fall on a Sunday.
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