Do you know which days are public holidays?

​For many of us, Easter equals family time, chocolate, and a super sized long weekend – not necessarily in order of importance!  It can also equal confusion though as businesses work through the varying state-based rulings as to which days are actually gazetted public holidays and what that means when applying Modern Awards or EBAs.  You can stop that stress induced chocolate eating now as we have an easy to read summary for you here:

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Easter Public Holidays by State or Territory

​	Friday 2 April Good Friday	Saturday 3 April Easter Saturday or Day After Good Friday	​Sunday 4 April Easter Sunday	​Monday 5 April Easter Monday
Australian Capital Territory	Public Holiday	​Public Holiday	​Public Holiday	Public Holiday
New South Wales	Public Holiday	​Public Holiday	Public Holiday	Public Holiday
Northern Territory​	Public Holiday	​Public Holiday	Public Holiday	​Public Holiday
​Queensland	Public Holiday	​Public Holiday	Public Holiday	Public Holiday
South Australia	​Public Holiday	​Public Holiday	Public Holiday	​Public Holiday
​Tasmania *	​Public Holiday	X	X	​Public Holiday
Victoria	​Public Holiday	​Public Holiday	​Public Holiday	Public Holiday
Western Australia	Public Holiday	X	X	Public Holiday

​X = not a gazetted public holiday.  Normal Saturday/Sunday rates apply.
* Note that Tasmania also recognises 6 April 2021 (Easter Tuesday) as a public holiday but generally only for Public Service.
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ANZAC DAY
With Anzac Day coming up not long after Easter on 25 April 2021 and landing on a Sunday, there are variances between states as to how the public holiday is being addressed.  So once more, we have a quick overview which should make it easier for you:

​	Sunday 25 April	Monday 26 April
Australian Capital Territory	X	Substitute public holiday
New South Wales	Public Holiday	X
Northern Territory​	X	Substitute public holiday
​Queensland	X	Substitute public holiday
South Australia	​Public Holiday	Additional public holiday
​Tasmania *	​Public Holiday	X
Victoria	​Public Holiday	X
Western Australia	Public Holiday	Additional public holiday

ONE FINAL POINT….
How do you work out if your full time or part time employees should be paid for a public holiday?  This is an area which often causes confusion so here’s the answer:

If your full or part time employee usually works on a day that is deemed a Public Holiday, it is categorised as a paid day without working .

If the public holiday falls on a day that an employee is not normally rostered to work, you don’t need to do anything. 

For example, your part time marketing guru works Monday and Tuesday every week.  When it comes to Easter you do not pay her for Good Friday (2 April 2021) but you will need to pay her for Easter Monday (5 April 2021).   Just remember also, if your employee does work on the public holiday, public holiday rates apply as per your Modern Award or EBA. 

If you are still unsure as to how to apply your respective Award or EBA, contact the HR Staff n’ Stuff team for guidance.  We are also available to support you through any excess chocolate you receive over this time – we are here to help after all.  Happy Easter!  

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