Govind Tekale
Western Australia workers will get two extra public holidays and see three others shift to new dates starting in 2028, subject to the passage of legislation, with a two-year implementation period.
The Cook Labor Government will table the Public and Bank Holidays Amendment Bill 2025 this week, adding Easter Saturday and a new Show Day to the calendar while moving Labour Day, WA Day, and the King’s Birthday to different dates.
Premier Roger Cook said in the government’s media statement: “These changes are about modernising WA’s public holiday calendar in a way that reflects the needs and values of our community… Striking the right balance was essential, and I believe this new schedule ensures our economy remains the strongest in the nation, while workers get the break they deserve.”
More than 10,000 submissions from businesses, not-for-profits, peak bodies, unions, and community members helped shape the changes, which won’t take effect until 2028, subject to the passage of legislation.
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From 2028, WA’s public holiday shake-up includes:
- Easter Saturday becomes a public holiday for the first time in WA.
- A new Show Day holiday will land on the first Monday of the September/October school holidays, set by proclamation each year. Regional councils can apply to the Governor to celebrate an alternative local date.
- Labour Day moves to the second Monday in March, except during State election years when it will fall on the third Monday to avoid a long-weekend polling day.
- WA Day shifts to the second Monday in November.
- King’s Birthday will be celebrated on the second Monday in June.
The government isn’t rushing these changes. Subject to the bill passing, the new schedule starts in 2028 after a two-year implementation period.
This lengthy lead time aims to give businesses, organisations, and agencies breathing room to adjust their administrative and industrial arrangements for a smooth transition.
The WA Government says the holiday restructuring serves multiple purposes:
Better alignment with other states’ public holiday calendars, supporting economic activity and productivity celebrating Western Australian identity
The full rationale behind each specific change is detailed in the Decision Regulatory Impact Statement mentioned in the government’s announcement.
After the bill’s introduction this week, Premier Cook indicated further stakeholder engagement will continue as the legislation moves through Parliament.
If the Bill is passed, the changes are planned to take effect in 2028, giving around two years for businesses and workers to prepare for the new calendar, with the two-year implementation window designed to ease the transition.
The government’s official media statement directs Western Australians to the Decision Regulatory Impact Statement for complete details on consultation outcomes and specific justifications for each date change. Full details of the government announcement are available on the WA Government website.
