Australia’s public holiday calendar holds a quirk that catches many workers off guard: the King’s Birthday falls on different days depending on which state you call home. Most Australians will mark the occasion on Monday, June 9, but Western Australia waits until late September — and Queensland has its own separate October slot. If you’re planning a long weekend or checking your payslip, knowing your state’s exact date matters.

4 related posts

Date in most states: Monday, June 9, 2025 · Western Australia date: Monday, September 29, 2025 · States observing June 9: ACT, NSW, NT, SA, Tas, Vic · Official reason: King’s Official Birthday · Pay rules source: Fair Work Australia

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact regional WA areas that observe alternative King’s Birthday dates in 2025 (WA Government)
  • Specific proclamation dates for regional WA King’s Birthday 2025 alternatives (WA Government)
3Timeline signal
  • Monday, June 9, 2025: King’s Birthday in most states
  • Monday, September 29, 2025: King’s Birthday WA
  • Monday, October 6, 2025: King’s Birthday QLD
  • Monday, 28 September, 2026: WA King’s Birthday next year
4What’s next
  • Workers should verify their employer’s specific pay terms before the holiday
  • WA residents with regional alternatives should check with their local shire for exact dates

The table below shows the specific 2025 King’s Birthday date for each Australian state and territory alongside its official source.

State/Territory King’s Birthday 2025 Date Source
Australian Capital Territory Monday, June 9 Fair Work Ombudsman
New South Wales Monday, June 9 Fair Work Ombudsman
Northern Territory Monday, June 9 Fair Work Ombudsman
South Australia Monday, June 9 Fair Work Ombudsman
Tasmania Monday, June 9 Group Accommodation
Victoria Monday, June 9 Fair Work Ombudsman
Western Australia (metropolitan) Monday, September 29 Fair Work Ombudsman
Queensland Monday, October 6 Fair Work Ombudsman

Is there a King’s Birthday public holiday in Australia?

Yes — King’s Birthday is a public holiday in all Australian states and territories. The Fair Work Ombudsman confirms it as part of the national public holiday schedule, though the specific date varies by jurisdiction. It ranks among the most widely observed workplace holidays across the country, alongside Australia Day and Christmas Day.

Australia inherited the tradition from British colonial practice, when Queen Victoria first proclaimed an official birthday celebration in 1841. The holiday has survived multiple monarch changes and remains a fixture on Australian calendars more than 180 years later.

National observance

The holiday celebrates King Charles III’s official birthday — not his actual birth date of November 14. This distinction matters because most Commonwealth nations shift the celebration to a date with better weather and scheduling advantages. Australian National University explains that the tradition stems from allowing outdoor celebrations during favorable seasons.

State variations

Six states and territories pin King’s Birthday to the second Monday in June: ACT, NSW, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria all share the June 9 date in 2025. Queensland and Western Australia deliberately break from this pattern — Queensland places it in October, while WA settles on late September. The Australian National University notes that Western Australia and Queensland observe King’s Birthday on different dates to avoid clashes with other state-specific holidays already crowding their June calendars.

Bottom line: Every Australian state and territory grants a King’s Birthday public holiday — but the date you get depends entirely on where you live. Workers in Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart, and Melbourne share the same June 9 long weekend, while Perth and Brisbane workers mark it months apart.

When is King’s Birthday 2025?

For most Australians, King’s Birthday 2025 falls on Monday, June 9. That date covers the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. The Fair Work Ombudsman officially lists all these jurisdictions under the same June date, making it the most common observance across the continent.

June 9 in most states

The second Monday in June has become the standard observance slot for King’s Birthday, aligning with British tradition while giving workers a reliable long weekend before winter fully arrives. Australian National University research confirms most states tie the celebration to this formula, creating consistency across eastern and southern Australia.

September 29 in WA regions

Western Australia observes King’s Birthday on Monday, September 29, 2025 — a full three months after the eastern states. The Fair Work Ombudsman confirms this date, which represents the fourth Monday of September in 2025. WA’s choice stems from the state’s existing WA Day holiday in early June, which already occupies the spring celebration slot — placing King’s Birthday in late September avoids crowding the mid-year calendar.

The WA Government clarifies that regional areas within Western Australia may hold King’s Birthday on alternative dates rather than the metropolitan September 29 slot. These regional variations get proclaimed annually by the state’s governor, meaning workers in remote shires should verify their specific local announcement.

The catch

Workers in Perth and other WA metropolitan areas need to plan five consecutive leave days to stretch their September 29 long weekend into a nine-day break — a trade-off that eastern state workers avoid entirely by getting a natural Monday holiday.

Why is 9th June a holiday in Australia?

King Charles III was born on November 14, 1958 — but Australia doesn’t celebrate his birthday on that date. Instead, the holiday marks his “Official Birthday,” a ceremonial date deliberately separated from the actual birth date to allow for more convenient celebration timing. The Australian National University traces this tradition back to Queen Victoria, who established the practice in 1841 when her actual April birthday made outdoor festivities difficult.

Historical date choice

The choice of June for the Official Birthday serves practical purposes: warmer weather allows outdoor events, and placing it on the second Monday creates a predictable long weekend. Australian National University historians note that different monarchs have had different official birthday dates over the decades, depending on reign timing and celebration preferences.

Not actual birthday

The distinction between official and actual birthdays affects how the holiday gets calculated each year. For King Charles III, whose actual birthday falls in November, the June observance creates a nearly five-month gap from the real date. Australian National University explains that future monarchs could theoretically shift the official celebration date if they chose, though tradition has kept the June formula stable across reigns.

Why this matters

Workers should not expect a second public holiday around November 14 — King’s actual birthday falls on a regular workday unless it coincides with an existing holiday.

Businesses relying on June 9 foot traffic should expect peak outdoor event attendance, while employers in retail and hospitality should prepare for elevated scheduling demands around this date.

Do we get a day off for the King’s birthday?

King’s Birthday qualifies as a full public holiday, meaning most full-time workers receive the day off with regular pay. The Fair Work Ombudsman sets baseline rules that apply across all states, though your specific employment contract or award may include additional entitlements. Casual workers and those in specific industries may face different arrangements.

Public holiday entitlements

Under the National Employment Standards, all employees are entitled to paid leave on public holidays they would normally work. Full-time workers receive their base rate without needing to use personal leave. The Fair Work Ombudsman clarifies that an employee’s entitlement depends on their regular working pattern — if they normally work Mondays, they qualify for Monday’s holiday; if they don’t normally work Mondays, they may receive a different benefit under their award.

Penalty rates rules

Workers who do report for duty on King’s Birthday typically receive penalty rate loading. The Fair Work Ombudsman guidance specifies that public holiday work generally attracts a loading of 250% of the base rate — double time plus half. Forbes Australia notes that exact penalty structures vary by award or enterprise agreement, with some industries offering flat additional percentages and others using the standard formula.

What to watch

Retail and hospitality workers face the highest likelihood of working through King’s Birthday — and may receive different penalty calculations than office workers under their respective awards.

King’s Birthday dates for 2026 and beyond?

Western Australia’s King’s Birthday shifts slightly each year based on where the fourth Monday falls in September. The WA Government publishes future dates, confirming Monday, September 28, 2026 for WA — one day earlier than 2025’s observance.

2026 previews

For most states, King’s Birthday 2026 will land on Monday, June 8 — the second Monday of June, following the established formula. Queensland’s 2026 King’s Birthday date follows its own October calendar, likely landing on Monday, October 5. WA Government already lists 2027 dates for planning purposes, allowing employers and families to coordinate leave well in advance.

State differences

The pattern of state variation shows no signs of harmonizing. Budget Direct confirms that WA’s persistent September date and Queensland’s isolated October slot serve each state’s specific scheduling needs. Workers relocating between states should always verify the local public holiday calendar rather than assuming the date transfers with them.

Bottom line: For most Australian workers, King’s Birthday 2025 is Monday, June 9 — but Perth residents mark it Monday, September 29, and Queenslanders wait until Monday, October 6. Regional WA workers should confirm their specific local proclamation with their shire office before booking leave.

Key dates

The timeline below consolidates confirmed King’s Birthday dates across all Australian jurisdictions for 2025 and 2026.

Date Event Source
Monday, June 9, 2025 King’s Birthday (most states: ACT, NSW, NT, SA, Tas, Vic) Fair Work Ombudsman
Monday, September 29, 2025 King’s Birthday WA (metropolitan areas) Fair Work Ombudsman
Monday, October 6, 2025 King’s Birthday Queensland Fair Work Ombudsman
Monday, June 8, 2026 King’s Birthday (most states — projected) WA Government
Monday, September 28, 2026 King’s Birthday WA WA Government

What we know and what we don’t

Eight state and territory dates for King’s Birthday 2025 show high consistency across multiple authoritative sources. Both Fair Work Ombudsman and WA Government confirm the metropolitan WA date of September 29, while multiple secondary sources corroborate eastern state dates.

  • Monday, June 9, 2025 confirmed for ACT, NSW, SA, Vic, Tas, NT — verified by Fair Work Ombudsman
  • Monday, September 29, 2025 confirmed for WA metropolitan — verified by multiple independent sources
  • Monday, October 6, 2025 confirmed for QLD — verified by Fair Work Ombudsman
  • WA regional areas may observe alternative dates — source: WA Government
  • 2026 dates align with standard second Monday formula — source: WA Government

What’s unclear

  • Specific regional WA areas with alternative 2025 King’s Birthday dates — WA Government notes variations exist but doesn’t enumerate them
  • Exact proclamation date for 2025 regional WA alternatives — not published in available sources
  • Northern Territory’s specific 2025 date confirmation — sourced from Fair Work but not independently verified

What experts and authorities say

“Monday 29 September: King’s Birthday (some regional areas in WA hold the King’s Birthday public holiday on a different date).”

— Fair Work Ombudsman (Australian Government employment regulator)

“Regional areas in Western Australia may celebrate the King’s Birthday Public Holiday on an alternative date.”

— Tourism Australia (Official Tourism Body)

“Western Australia usually observes the holiday on the fourth Monday of September or the first Monday of October. The date is proclaimed each year by the state’s governor.”

— Australian National University (Educational Institution)

Related reading: NSW School Holidays · Black Friday Australia dates

In Victoria, the holiday lands on Monday June 9, creating prime long-weekend potential, with details on openings and events in the Melbourne Kings Birthday 2025 guideMelbourne King’s Birthday 2025 guide{/link>.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Australia celebrate King’s birthday?

Yes. King’s Birthday is a public holiday in all Australian states and territories, though the celebration date varies by jurisdiction. Most states observe it in June, while Western Australia holds its celebration in late September and Queensland marks it in October.

Why is it a holiday on Monday in Australia?

Australian public holidays consistently fall on Mondays to create long weekends, maximizing leisure time while minimizing disruption to the working week. King’s Birthday deliberately lands on the second Monday in June in most states, following this established pattern across the national calendar.

Which countries celebrate the King’s Birthday?

Other Commonwealth nations celebrating an official monarch’s birthday include New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Each adjusts the date based on their climate and scheduling preferences — New Zealand typically observes it in June, while Canada moves it to a date fitting their calendar.

What happens if you work on King’s Birthday?

Workers who report for duty on King’s Birthday are entitled to penalty rates, typically double time plus half under most awards. The Fair Work Ombudsman sets baseline rules, though specific penalty calculations depend on your award, enterprise agreement, or employment contract.

Is King’s Birthday paid leave?

Full-time and part-time employees who would normally work on King’s Birthday receive paid time off for the public holiday. Casual workers typically don’t receive paid public holiday leave unless their award specifically provides for it, though they receive higher penalty rates if they choose to work.

How does King’s Birthday affect travel?

King’s Birthday creates significant travel demand surges across Australia, particularly for domestic tourism in eastern states on June 9. Airport queues lengthen, accommodation prices rise in popular destinations. Forbes Australia reports that booking early is essential for travelers seeking holiday-period deals.

When was the first King’s Birthday holiday?

Queen Victoria first proclaimed an official birthday celebration in Australia in 1841, establishing the tradition that has continued through multiple reigns. The practice predates Federation and remains one of Australia’s oldest continuously observed public holidays, adapted over time to reflect monarch changes.

Are schools closed on King’s Birthday?

Yes. Public schools close on King’s Birthday across all Australian states and territories, following the same date as their respective public holiday. Private and independent schools typically follow the same schedule, though some may observe their own term dates that don’t precisely match state public holiday calendars.

For workers across Australia, King’s Birthday 2025 means checking your calendar against your state’s specific date — June 9 for most, September 29 for WA metropolitan residents, and October 6 for Queenslanders. The variation reflects each state’s existing holiday load and scheduling priorities, creating a fragmented national picture that requires deliberate verification. Perth workers hoping to stretch their September long weekend face the trade-off of using five days’ leave to capture a nine-day break, while eastern state workers get a straightforward Monday holiday with a natural long weekend built in.