Maximise your annual leave in 2024 with these holiday hacks

By Jack Dona · · 4 min read
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Maximising your time off from work using annual leave is something of an art-form in Australia. But making the most of it requires a bit of thinking ahead.

If you're keen to squeeze the most juice out of your annual leave in 2024, but aren't sure where to start, then stick around – we're about to tell you how you could turn 23 days of annual leave into 48 days off this year. 

How does annual leave work?

Full-time or part-time employees are entitled to a minimum of 4 weeks annual leave per year under the National Employment Standards . As you work, your annual leave slowly builds up.

Annual leave basically allows you to still get paid even when you’re away from work. This means that whilst travelling, for example, you won’t lose income for the days you take off. 

It’s important to take annual leave every once in a while, as taking breaks from the routine of work can help reduce your stress levels, improve mood, and even boost your health, according to Heads Up . 

It’s also good for your organisation, as it can improve team morale, increase productivity, improve employee retention rates, and decrease the number of unplanned absences.

How to maximise your annual leave in 2024

The trick to maximise your annual leave this year is to thread the public holidays together using your leave days. 

Of course, public holidays differ from state-to-state. But the major ones (Australia Day, Easter, Anzac Day, Christmas, and New Years) are all good opportunities to get some extra time off in 2024. 

Quick tip: Book in your annual leave dates as early as you can to avoid competing for time off with your co-workers. Plus, your boss will appreciate the extra early heads-up. 

Here are the dates you need to know, so you can maximise your annual leave in 2024:

A banner image for January, featuring a labrador puppy on a beach, laying next to two small Australian flags stuck into the sand

January (Australia Day)

Turn 4 days of annual leave into 9 days off 

With Australia Day falling on Friday, 26 January this year, you can use your annual leave on the first part of that week to string together a nice 9-day stretch of time off, including weekends.

Your holiday: Saturday, 20 January to Sunday, 28 January 2024. 

Take these dates off: 

  • Monday, 22 January 
  • Tuesday, 23 January
  • Wednesday, 24 January 
  • Thursday, 25 January. 
A banner image for March to April holidays, featuring chocolate Easter eggs

March/April (Easter holidays)

Turn 8 days of annual leave into 16 days off

The Easter break at the end of March and start of April is a prime opportunity for those who wouldn’t mind over 2 weeks off from work close to the start of the year. 

For an extra 4 day stretch of time off in April, take off the 26th to give yourself a long weekend just after ANZAC Day. 

Your holiday: Saturday, 23 March to Sunday, 7 April 2024. 

Take these dates off:

  • Monday, 25 March
  • Tuesday, 26 March
  • Wednesday, 27 March 
  • Thursday, 28 March
  • Tuesday, 2 April (Tassie already gets this day off) 
  • Wednesday, 3 April
  • Thursday, 4 April
  • Friday, 5 April.
A banner image for June, featuring an image of King Charles (King's Birthday holiday)

June (King’s Birthday)

Turn 4 days of annual leave into 9 days off

This year, the King’s Birthday falls on Monday, 10 June, meaning there’s an opportunity to take the rest of the working week off and give yourself a 9 day break right in the middle of the year. Cheers, your Highness! 

Your holiday: Saturday, 8 June to Sunday, 16 June 2024. 

Take these dates off:

  • Tuesday, 11 June
  • Wednesday, 12 June
  • Thursday, 13 June
  • Friday, 14 June. 
A banner image for December to January 2025, featuring a young girl with a green and red reindeer horn hat holding out a Christmas cracker

December/January 2025 (Christmas and New Years)

Turn 7 days of annual leave into 14 days off

Around the end of the year most people want the chance to wind down over the Christmas break. What better way to do that than have a solid 2 weeks off to enjoy family time and a hard-earned rest?

Plus, if you’re from the NT or SA, you’ll only need to take 5 days off to get the same break! 

Your holiday: Saturday, 21 December 2024 to Sunday, 5 January 2025.  

(Excluding NT and SA) Take these dates off:

  • Monday, 23 December
  • Tuesday, 24 December
  • Friday, 27 December
  • Monday, 30 December
  • Tuesday, 31 December
  • Thursday, 2 January 
  • Friday, 3 January. 

(NT and SA only) Take these dates off:

  • Monday, 23 December
  • Friday, 27 December
  • Monday, 30 December
  • Thursday, 2 January 
  • Friday, 3 January.

Annual leave holiday tips

Here’s a run-down of the tips you need to know about getting the most out of your annual leave holidays:

  • Look for ways to link together public holidays by taking annual leave off between two separate holidays
  • Check which public holidays are observed on your state for more opportunities to maximise your time off
  • If you’re taking your annual leave to go on a holiday or to travel to another state, then consider getting a domestic travel insurance policy for extra peace of mind
  • If you’re travelling overseas during an extended annual leave period, then it’s recommended by the government’s Smartraveller service that you purchase an international travel insurance policy for coverage while away from home.

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