NSW Premier Considering Extra Public Holiday For Anzac Day Weekend

New South Wales may be getting an extra public holiday in April, with Anzac Day falling on a weekend for both 2026 and 2027.

Remembrance services will still be held across the nation on Saturday 25 April, but only Western Australia and the ACT are currently set to get a public holiday on the Monday.

“It’s not just this year, it’s next year as well that you don’t get the day off,” Premier Chris Minns said on Triple M radio on Thursday.

“And we are underserved when it comes to public holidays, there’s a lot more in every other state.”

“We’re going to have a conversation about it for this year.”

NSW currently has the least number of public holidays in the country, only getting an extra two alongside the 10 holidays celebrated nationwide: the Kings Birthday in June and Labour Day in October.

RSL to be consulted with expectations of divided opinions for veterans

Minns said discussions with the RSL would need to be held about the creation of a long weekend, with special consideration given to ensuring the extra day wouldn’t detract from the significance of April 25.

“I’ve got to have confidence that it’s not going to – if we have a public holiday on the Monday – it doesn’t detract from the salience of the 25th,” Minns said.

“It’s got to be the 25th that’s hugely important.”

Speaking to the ABC, RSL NSW acting president Vince Williams said he personally supports the idea, although noted that opinion would be divided among veterans.

“I can’t see why it couldn’t be a holiday, but it’s a consultation we’d need to have with more detail considered,” he said.

“Anzac Day is the most sacred day on our national calendar of commemoration.

“To enable our veterans, families and the Australian people to commemorate properly, it should be a public holiday. As long as that is ringfenced, what else the government decides to do is a choice for them.”