When it comes to public holidays, Tasmanian employees get to enjoy 9 state-wide days as well as some regional days like the Royal Hobart Regatta or Flinders Island Show. Depending on your business and industry, there are certain holidays that affect all businesses and companies.
Making public holiday plans
Scrolling through the calendar searching for public holidays so they can enjoy extra time off or spend a longer long weekend with family and friends is something many employees do.
For employers and business owners, if you’re unsure of your public holiday obligations or employee wage rates, call and speak to an expert adviser at Peninsula.
List of public holidays in Tasmania for 2026
| Holiday | Date in 2026 |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday 1 January |
| Australia Day | Monday 26 January |
| Eight Hours Day | Monday 9 March |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April |
| Easter Monday | Monday 6 April |
| Easter Tuesday | Tuesday 7 April (this is generally Tasmanian Public Service holiday only) |
| ANZAC Day | Saturday 25 April * No substitute or additional holiday is observed |
| King’s Birthday | Monday 8 June |
| Christmas Eve | Thursday 24 December 7 pm-midnight |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December |
| Boxing Day | Saturday 26 December * As Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, Monday 28 is an additional public holiday |
Regional holidays in Tasmania in 2026
| Holiday | Date in 2026 | Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Devonport Cup | Wednesday 7 January | Tasmanian State Service Only |
| Royal Hobart Regatta | Monday 9 February | South of and including Oatlands and Swansea. It excludes Bronte Park, Catagunya, Strathgordon, Tarraleah, Wayatinah and West Coast |
| Launceston Cup | Wednesday 25 February | Tasmanian Public Service Only |
| King Island Show | Tuesday 3 March | Only King Island |
| AGFEST | Friday 8 May | Municipal area of Circular Head Only |
| Burnie Show | Friday 2 October | Municipal areas of Burnie, Waratah-Wynyard and West Coast |
| Royal Launceston Show | Thursday 8 October | Municipal areas of Break O'Day, Dorset, George Town, Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands, West Tamar |
| Flinders Island Show | Friday 16 October | Municipal area of Flinders Island |
| Royal Hobart Show | Thursday 22 October | All of Tasmania south of and including Oatlands and Swansea also Bronte Park, Strathgordon, Tarreleah and Wayatinah. Excludes West Coast |
| Devonport Show | Friday 27 November | Municipal areas of Devonport, Kentish and Latrobe |
Employee entitlements on public holidays in Tasmania
Listing a day as a public holiday in Tasmania does not mean employees can have the day off work or get paid more for working on that day. If you are an employer or business owner in Tasmania, you will need to check your award, agreement, or National Employment Standard (NES), to find out if the public holiday applies to your workplace.
Employees should be given a choice if they should work or not on the public holiday. They have a right to not work on a public holiday.
Ensure you get public holidays right with Peninsula
The holiday season, public holidays, and long weekends mean enjoying good food and fun times with family and friends. For business owners or employers in Tasmania, juggling HR and WH&S responsibilities can be challenging. You need to know all the public holidays and appropriate employee entitlements to ensure you meet your legal obligations.
Peninsula is committed to providing answers to your public holiday questions. Call our team for free initial advice 24/7 or make an enquiry today.
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute as business or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. It does not take into consideration your specific business, industry or circumstances. You should seek legal or other professional advice regarding matters as they relate to you or your business. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Peninsula Group disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions contained in this information or any failure to update or correct this information. It is your responsibility to assess and verify the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of the information in this article.