Public Holidays in Devonport

Planning your year around public holidays in Devonport, Tasmania, can help you make the most of your time off. Here's a comprehensive guide to the public holidays for the next four years, along with tips on how to maximise your annual leave.

Public Holidays in Devonport, Tasmania (2024–2027)

Below is a table detailing the public holidays in Devonport for 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, including their dates and descriptions.

Holiday Name 2024 Date 2025 Date 2026 Date 2027 Date Description
New Year's Day Jan 1 Jan 1 Jan 1 Jan 1 Celebrates the first day of the new year.
Devonport Cup* Jan 10 Jan 8 Jan 7 Jan 13 Half-day holiday from 11 am in the municipal area of Devonport.
Australia Day Jan 26 Jan 26 Jan 26 Jan 26 Marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet.
Eight Hours Day Mar 11 Mar 10 Mar 9 Mar 8 Commemorates the achievement of the eight-hour working day.
Good Friday Mar 29 Apr 18 Apr 3 Mar 26 Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Easter Monday Apr 1 Apr 21 Apr 6 Mar 29 Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Easter Tuesday** Apr 2 Apr 22 Apr 7 Mar 30 Observed by some awards/agreements and the State Public Service.
Anzac Day Apr 25 Apr 25 Apr 25 Apr 25 Honors Australians and New Zealanders who served in wars.
King's Birthday Jun 10 Jun 9 Jun 8 Jun 14 Celebrates the birthday of the reigning monarch.
Recreation Day*** Nov 4 Nov 3 Nov 2 Nov 1 Public holiday observed in northern Tasmania, including Devonport.
Devonport Show Day Nov 29 Nov 28 Nov 27 Nov 26 Local holiday for the Devonport Agricultural Show.
Christmas Day Dec 25 Dec 25 Dec 25 Dec 25 Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
Boxing Day Dec 26 Dec 26 Dec 26 Dec 26 Traditionally a day for sporting events and shopping.

*The Devonport Cup is generally a half-day public holiday from 11 am in the municipal area of Devonport, primarily observed by the Tasmanian State Service.

**Easter Tuesday is a restricted public holiday in Tasmania, observed by some awards/agreements and the State Public Service.

***Recreation Day is observed in all parts of Tasmania north of (but not including) Oatlands and Swansea, which includes Devonport.


Maximising Your Annual Leave

By strategically planning your annual leave around public holidays and weekends, you can enjoy extended breaks without using too many leave days. Here are some suggestions:

1. Easter Break
  • 2024: Take leave on March 26–28 and April 2–5. With Good Friday on March 29, Easter Monday on April 1, and Easter Tuesday on April 2, you'll get a 16-day break by using only eight days of annual leave.
  • 2025: Take leave on April 15–17 and April 22–24. With Good Friday on April 18, Easter Monday on April 21, Easter Tuesday on April 22, and Anzac Day on April 25, you'll get a 16-day break by using only seven days of annual leave.
  • 2026: Take leave on March 31–April 2 and April 6–9. With Good Friday on April 3, Easter Monday on April 6, and Easter Tuesday on April 7, you'll get a 16-day break by using only eight days of annual leave.
  • 2027: Take leave on March 22–25 and March 29–April 1. With Good Friday on March 26, Easter Monday on March 29, and Easter Tuesday on March 30, you'll get a 16-day break by using only eight days of annual leave.
2. Christmas and New Year
  • 2024–2025: Take leave on December 23–24, 27, 30–31, and January 2–3. With Christmas Day on December 25, Boxing Day on December 26, and New Year's Day on January 1, you'll get a 16-day break by using only seven days of annual leave.
  • 2025–2026: Take leave on December 22–24, 29–31, and January 2. With Christmas Day on December 25, Boxing Day on December 26, and New Year's Day on January 1, you'll get a 16-day break by using only seven days of annual leave.
  • 2026–2027: Take leave on December 21–24, 28–31, and January 2. With Christmas Day on December 25, Boxing Day on December 26, and New Year's Day on January 1, you'll get a 17-day break by using only eight days of annual leave.
3. Anzac Day Long Weekend
  • 2024: Anzac Day falls on a Thursday. Take leave on April 26 to enjoy a four-day weekend.
  • 2025: Anzac Day falls on a Friday, providing a three-day weekend without using any leave.
  • 2026: Anzac Day falls on a Saturday. In Tasmania, there is no additional public holiday for Anzac Day when it falls on a weekend.
  • 2027: Anzac Day falls on a Sunday. In Tasmania


Frequently Asked Question:

Which act administers Anzac Day trading in Tasmania

In Tasmania, the trading regulations for Anzac Day are governed by the Anzac Day Observance Act 1929.

Does a public holiday automatically mean employees can have the day off or get paid more?

Many people believe that public holidays guarantee a day off or increased pay. However, the reality is a bit more complex.

Time Off on Public Holidays

  1. Not Guaranteed: Just because a day is marked as a public holiday doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have the day off from work. It ultimately depends on your employer’s policies and your employment contract.
  2. Industry Variations: Certain sectors, especially those in retail, hospitality, or emergency services, may require employees to work on public holidays due to operational needs.

Pay on Public Holidays

  • No Automatic Pay Increase: Working on a public holiday does not automatically entitle you to extra pay, such as time-and-a-half or double-time.
  • Check Your Contract: Enhanced pay rates for public holiday work are subject to specific workplace agreements or contracts. It's crucial to review these documents or consult your HR department for clarity.

Always verify your employment terms to understand your rights and entitlements concerning public holidays.

What Are Substitute Holidays and When Do They Apply?

Substitute holidays are alternative days designated as public holidays when specific traditional holidays fall on weekends. This ensures that employees and businesses still benefit from a day off, even if the original holiday date isn’t during the workweek.

Key Scenarios for Substitute Holidays:

  • New Year's Day, Australia Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day: If any of these holidays occur on a weekend, the following weekday often becomes the public holiday.
  • Christmas Day:
  • If it lands on a Saturday, both Saturday and the following Monday are recognized as holidays.
  • If it falls on a Sunday, Sunday and the following Tuesday become holidays.
  • Boxing Day:
  • If it happens on a Saturday, the public holiday shifts to Monday.
  • If on a Sunday, Tuesday takes its place as the public holiday.

Special Note on Anzac Day:

  • When Anzac Day lands on a weekend, no alternative holiday is provided. This means there is no shift to the following weekday, unlike other holidays.

By following these guidelines, employees and employers can plan accordingly, ensuring that the holiday spirit remains intact even when the calendar isn't on their side.