Secret hack to turn 23 days of annual leave to almost 50 days off
Some clever, little-known hacks could turn 23 days of holiday for Australian workers into 48 days off for the coming year.
For these tricks to be successful, an employee must have a job that does not require him to work on federal or state holidays.
The dates of public holidays vary from state to state across the country.
To maximize free time in 2024, follow the tips below for each holiday season.
Australian workers can enjoy extra days off in 2024 by following some little-known hacks (stock image pictured)
January 2024
Holiday duration: nine days
Annual leave used: four days
In January, you can score an extended nine-day break at the end of the month thanks to the Australia Day holiday of January 26, which falls on a Friday.
To secure time off from Saturday 20 January to Sunday 28 January, please book annual leave for these dates:
- Monday January 22
- Tuesday January 23
- Wednesday January 24
- Thursday January 25
March/April 2024
Holiday duration: 16 days
Annual leave used: eight days
To get 16 days off from eight days of leave between Saturday March 23 and Sunday April 7, book annual leave for:
- Monday March 25
- Tuesday March 26
- Wednesday March 27
- Thursday March 28
- Tuesday, April 2 (Tasmanians can skip this day thanks to their Easter Tuesday holiday)
- Wednesday April 3
- Thursday April 4
- Friday April 5
For the tricks to be successful, an employee must have a job that does not require him to work on national or state holidays (stock image pictured)
June 2024
Holiday duration: nine days
Annual leave used: four days
For free time in June around the King's Day holiday from Saturday 8 June to Sunday 16 June, book leave on these dates:
- Tuesday June 11
- Wednesday June 12
- Thursday June 13
- Friday June 14
Those in Queensland and Western Australia cannot take advantage of these dates, but can use the same setup for their state's King's Birthday in October for Queensland and September for Western Australia.
For an extended Christmas break this year, employees can book seven days of annual leave (stock image shown)
December 2024/January 2025
Holiday duration: 14
Annual leave used: seven
At the end of the year, during the Christmas period, employees can enjoy 14 days off by booking seven days of leave for December and early January.
To reserve time off from Saturday 21 December to Sunday 5 January, book annual leave for these dates:
- Monday December 23
- Tuesday 24 December (part of the public holiday applies in the Northern Territory and South Australia from 7pm to midnight on this day)
- Friday December 27
- Monday December 30th
- Tuesday 31 December (part of the public holiday applies in the Northern Territory and South Australia from 7pm to midnight on this day)
- Thursday January 2
- Friday January 3
Employees can use four vacation days to get nine enjoyable days off for most holidays that fall on Mondays or Fridays.
You can check your national holidays on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.