There has been some confusion as to whether public holidays falling over Easter and ANZAC day are treated as being observed on the days that they fall, or transferred, as with the Christmas and New Year public holidays. To alleviate any confusion, we’d like to remind members of their obligations over these upcoming public holidays.

The public holidays over the Easter period are Good Friday (2nd April) and Easter Monday (5th April). Easter Sunday is NOT a public holiday.  This means that those employees who normally work on Sunday are not entitled to a paid day off, or time and a half for the hours they work (unless this is provided for in their employment agreement). 

Easter Sunday (4 April) is not classed as a public holiday although it is a restricted trading day for some businesses. These restrictions do not apply to restaurants and cafes, as your customers are on your premises for the purposes of dining.

ANZAC day (25 April) is observed on the day it falls.  This year ANZAC day falls on a Sunday.  This means that for those employees who normally work week days, there is no entitlement to the public holiday.  Unlike the Christmas and New Year public holidays, ANZAC Day is not "Monday-ised" if it falls on a weekend.

Employees who normally work Sundays are entitled to a paid day off on ANZAC Day (if they don’t work).  If an employee works on ANZAC Day, they are entitled to time and a half for the hours worked and an alternative holiday (if Sunday would otherwise be a working day for the employee).