Businesses are being encouraged to provide feedback on a review of WA’s public holidays, including a suggestion to add more days to the annual calendar.
The State Government has a launched four-week public consultation on the following potential changes: 
- moving existing public holidays to align with other jurisdictions;
- moving WA Day to avoid the winter season; and
- the addition of a new public holiday(s).
WA currently has 11 public holidays and is the only mainland state not to recognise Easter Saturday as a public holiday.
Victoria, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory each have 13 public holidays a year, while Tasmania, Queensland and South Australia have 12 days.
The existing State public holidays that are under consideration for change are Labour Day (currently in March), WA Day (currently in June) and the King’s Birthday (currently in September).
The King’s Birthday is held in June in most eastern states, with Labour Day observed on other days across the nation.
National holidays, such as Anzac Day, Australia Day, Christmas and Boxing Day, are not part of the review.
“Western Australia is the engine room of the national economy, and I want to keep it that way,” Premier Roger Cook said.
“This is why we are considering aligning WA public holidays with other states and territories to boost productivity and make life easier for WA businesses.”
He added: “We recognise that any decision to reform the State’s public holiday schedule needs to include consideration of the impact of the change, be that to the private and public sectors or the WA community.”
CCIWA supports alignment, not extra public holidays
CCIWA Acting co-CEO Aaron Morey said aligning WA’s public holidays with the rest of the country made good sense and would be welcomed by WA businesses.
But WA businesses would oppose extra public holidays.
“The cold, hard fact of the matter is that small businesses are doing it very tough at the moment,” he said.
“Wage costs are already putting pressure on hardworking small and family businesses, who would face the choice of either absorbing higher wage costs or losing a day of trade.
“For hardworking small business owners, more public holidays represent more days paying someone $65 an hour to wash dishes.”
A Consultation Paper has been released, with feedback on the reforms open until August 8, 2025.
Any changes to public holidays are proposed to come into effect in 2027 or 2028.
To learn more and to provide feedback, visit the Public Holiday Review web page.
To be part of WA’s peak business organisation, get in touch via 1300 422 492 or [email protected].
