Western Australia is set for changes to its public holiday schedule, with a new Bill proposing two additional holidays and adjustments to three existing ones. The Public and Bank Holidays Amendment Bill 2025 will be introduced to Parliament this week, aiming to modernise the calendar while giving businesses and communities time to prepare.
If the Bill passes, the new arrangements will take effect in 2028. Labour Day would move to the second Monday in March, except in state election years when it would be held on the third Monday to avoid clashing with polling. WA Day would shift to the second Monday in November, and the King’s Birthday holiday would move to the second Monday in June, bringing it into line with other states. Easter Saturday would be recognised as a public holiday, and a new Show Day holiday would be created for the first Monday of the September or October school holidays.
The government says the changes follow strong community engagement, with more than 10,000 submissions received from businesses, unions, not-for-profits and individuals. It argues that the reforms will provide workers with fair recognition, while ensuring WA’s schedule better aligns with the rest of the country. Officials also note that the two-year lead-in period will allow organisations to adjust workplace and administrative arrangements before the changes take effect.
Supporters of the reform believe the new calendar strikes a balance between economic productivity and community wellbeing. They point to Easter Saturday and Show Day as additions that reflect both WA’s cultural identity and the lifestyles of its residents. However, critics have raised concerns about the cost of adding extra public holidays, warning that small and family-run businesses could face higher wage bills and operational challenges at busy times of the year.
The proposal highlights the ongoing tension between economic considerations and community expectations. While many welcome the opportunity for extra time off, others remain cautious about the financial and logistical impacts. Parliament’s debate on the Bill is expected to bring these differing views into sharper focus as WA moves towards a new holiday structure.
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