Maximise your annual leave in 2024

Daydreaming about taking a long holiday, but can't seem to make it happen due to limited annual leave?

With long weekends just around the corner, now is the perfect opportunity to take some time off and explore Australia. By strategically booking leave, you can extend your time away from work for more consecutive days of uninterrupted relaxation.

Picture having all that time to discover new places, indulge at restaurants and bars, unwind at a luxurious day spa, or simply relax poolside next to a crystal blue pool without a care in the world.

For some states, the beauty of planning your breaks means you can transform 20 days of leave into 59 days away from your desk - most of it in back-to-back time off. That's nearly two months of exploring the wonders of Australia, soaking up the sun, and enjoying all the little things that make life worth living.

Pack your bags, set your out-of-office message, and start planning your dream getaway.

Here's how to maximise your annual leave in 2024 - choose your state or territory:

QLD | NSW | VIC

ACT | WA | NT | SA | TAS

Queensland

Total holiday days: 62 days in Brisbane, 53 days Cairns | Annual leave used: 20 days

26 January: 26 January | holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 22 - 25 January
Easter weekend: 29 March - 1 April | Holiday length: 14 days | Leave dates to book: 26 - 28 March - 2-5 April
Anzac Day: 25 April | Holiday length: 4 days | Leave dates to book: 26 April
Labour Day: 4 - 12 May | Holiday Length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 7-10 May
Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane): 10 - 19 August | Holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 12 - 16 August
King’s Birthday: 3 - 15 October | Holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 8 - 11 October
Christmas break: 25 December to 1 January | Holiday Length: 12 days | Leave dates to book 23, 24, 27, 30, 31 December

A Man Swimming In A Body Of Water

Credit to: Tourism and Events Queensland

New South Wales

Total holiday days: 53 days | Annual leave used: 20 days

26 January: 20 - 28 January | holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 22 - 25 January
Easter weekend: 29 March - 1 April | Holiday length: 14 days | Leave dates to book: 26 - 28 March - 2-5 April
Anzac Day: 25 April | Holiday length: 4 days | Leave dates to book: 26 April
King’s Birthday: 10 June | Holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 11 - 14 June
Labour Day: 7 October | Holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 8 - 11 October
Christmas break: 25 December to 1 January | Holiday Length: 12 days | Leave dates to book 23, 24, 27, 30, 31 December

Victoria

Total holiday days: 66 days | Annual leave used: 20 days

26 January: 20 - 28 January | Holiday Length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 22 - 25 January
Labour Day: 11 - 19 March | Holiday Length: 9 days | leave dates to book: 12 - 15 March
Easter weekend: 29 March - 1 April | Holiday length: 14 days | Leave dates to book: 26 - 28 March - 2-5 April
Anzac Day: 25 April | Holiday length: 4 days | Leave dates to book: 26 April
King’s Birthday: 8 - 16 June | Holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 11 - 14 June
AFL Grand Final:21 - 29 September | Holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 23 - 26 September
Melbourne Cup: 2-5 November | Holiday length: 4 days | Leave dates to book: 4 November
Christmas break: 25 December to 1 January | Holiday Length: 12 days | Leave dates to book 23, 24, 27, 30, 31 December

Australian Capital Territory

Total holiday days: 71 days | Annual leave used: 32 days

26 January: 20 - 28 January | Holiday Length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 22 - 25 January
Canberra Day: 9 - 17 March | Holiday Length: 9 days | leave dates to book: 12 - 15 March
Easter weekend: 29 March - 1 April | Holiday length: 14 days | Leave dates to book: 26 - 28 March - 2-5 April
Anzac Day: 25 April | Holiday length: 4 days | Leave dates to book: 26 April
Reconciliation Day: 25 May - 2 June | Holiday Length: 8 days | Leave dates to book: 28 - 31 May
King’s Birthday: 8 - 14 June | Holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 11 - 14 June
Labour Day: 5 - 13 October | Holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 8 - 11 October
Christmas break: 25 December to 1 January | Holiday Length: 12 days | Leave dates to book 23, 24, 27, 30, 31 December

A Man And A Woman Standing In Front Of Water

Swimming pool at Crystalbrook Byron

Western Australia

Total holiday days: 62 days | Annual leave used: 28 days

26 January: 20 - 28 January | Holiday Length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 22 - 25 January
Labour Day: 2 - 10 March | Holiday Length:9 days | Leave dates to book: 5 - 8 March
Easter weekend: 29 March - 1 April | Holiday length: 14 days | Leave dates to book: 26 - 28 March - 2-5 April
Anzac Day: 25 April | Holiday length: 4 days | Leave dates to book: 26 April
Western Australia Day: 1 - 9 June | Holiday Length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 3 - 7 June
King’s Birthday: 28 September - 6 October | Holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 26 - 29 September
Christmas break: 25 December to 1 January | Holiday Length: 12 days | Leave dates to book 23, 24, 27, 30, 31 December

South Australia

Total holiday days: 53 days | Annual leave used: 24 days

26 January: 20 - 28 January | Holiday Length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 22 - 25 January
Adelaide Cup Day: 9 - 17 March | Holiday Length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 12 - 15 March
Easter weekend: 29 March - 1 April | Holiday length: 14 days | Leave dates to book: 26 - 28 March - 2-5 April
Anzac Day: 25 April | Holiday length: 4 days | Leave dates to book: 26 April
King’s Birthday: 8 - 16 June | Holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 11 - 14 June
Labour Day: 5 - 13 October | Holiday length: 9 days | Leave dates to book: 8 - 11 October
Christmas break: 25 December to 1 January | Holiday Length: 12 days | Leave dates to book 23, 24, 27, 30, 31 December

A Bridge Over A Body Of Water

Cocktails at Crystalbrook Vincent

Northern Territory