Get in quick: How to double your annual leave in 2024

With a bit of savvy planning, Aussies can stretch their annual leave to the max — including some workers who can score 10 weeks off.

How to double your leave in 2024. Picture: iStock

With 2024 underway, it’s right about time to start thinking about the holidays you’ll take this year.

Luckily for many Aussies, a great deal of this year’s public holidays and weekends coincide to ensure that, with some savvy planning, you can stretch your annual leave allowance to the max.

In fact, Aussies in every state and territory will be able to more than double their time off work in 2024 with a bit of holiday math, securing themselves between seven and 10 weeks off depending on their location.

Some Aussies can score 10 weeks off work in 2024. Picture: iStock

Of course, the hacks work best for Australians whose jobs allow for time off on both public holidays and weekends.

It’s also best to be quick — many workplaces have limits on how many people can be on leave at any one time. Booking in early will also help to lessen the price hikes that can happen for accommodation and flights during busy periods.

Some public holidays differ between states and territories, so your entitlements may change depending on where you live or work.

Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of how to maximise your annual leave in 2024.

The Grand Pacific Drive on the NSW coast. Picture: iStock.

New South Wales

New South Wales workers only have to book in 24 days of annual leave to secure an impressive 53 days off work in 2024.

January 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, January 20 to Sunday, January 28
• Public holiday: Friday, January 26 (Australia Day)
• Days to book: Monday, January 22; Tuesday, January 23; Wednesday, January 24; Thursday, January 25

March/April 2024 — use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break

• When to travel: Monday, March 25 to Sunday, April 7
• Public holidays: Friday, March 29 (Good Friday); Saturday, March 30 (Easter Saturday); Sunday, March 31 (Easter Sunday); Monday, April 1 (Easter Monday)
• Days to book: Monday, March 25; Tuesday, March 26; Wednesday, March 27; Thursday, March 28; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5

June 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, June 8 to Sunday, June 16
• Public holiday: Monday, June 10 (King’s Birthday)
• Days to book: Tuesday, June 11; Wednesday, June 12; Thursday, June 13; Friday, June 14

October 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, October 5 to Sunday, October 13
• Public holiday: Monday, October 7 (Labour Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, October 8; Wednesday, October 9; Thursday, October 10; Friday, October 11

December 2024 — use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1
• Public holidays: Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day); Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day); Wednesday, January 1, 2025 (New Year’s Day)
• Days to book: Monday, December 23; Tuesday, December 24; Friday, December 27; Monday, December 30; Tuesday, December 31

The famous Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria. Picture: iStock.

Victoria

Victorian workers only have to spend 29 days of annual leave to secure a staggering 66 days off work in 2024.

January 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, January 20 to Sunday, January 28
• Public holiday: Friday, January 26 (Australia Day)
• Days to book: Monday, January 22; Tuesday, January 23; Wednesday, January 24; Thursday, January 25

March 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, March 11 to Sunday, March 19
• Public holiday: Monday, March 11 (Labour Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, March 12; Wednesday, March 13; Thursday, March 14; Friday, March 15

March/April 2024 — use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break

• When to travel: Monday, March 25 to Sunday, April 7
• Public holidays: Friday, March 29 (Good Friday); Saturday, March 30 (Easter Saturday); Sunday, March 31 (Easter Sunday); Monday, April 1 (Easter Monday)
• Days to book: Monday, March 25; Tuesday, March 26; Wednesday, March 27; Thursday, March 28; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5

June 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, June 8 to Sunday, June 16
• Public holiday: Monday, June 10 (King’s Birthday)
• Days to book: Tuesday, June 11; Wednesday, June 12; Thursday, June 13; Friday, June 14

September 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, September 21 to Sunday, September 29
• Public holiday: Friday, September 27 (Grand Final Friday)
• Days to book: Monday, September 23; Tuesday, September 24; Wednesday, September 25; Thursday, September 26

November 2024 — use one day of annual leave for a four-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, November 2 to Tuesday, November 5
• Public holiday: Tuesday, November 5 (Melbourne Cup Day)
• Days to book: Monday, November 4

December 2024 — use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1
• Public holidays: Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day); Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day); Wednesday, January 1, 2025 (New Year’s Day)
• Days to book: Monday, December 23; Tuesday, December 24; Friday, December 27; Monday, December 30; Tuesday, December 31

The Whitsunday Islands, off the coast of Queensland. Picture: iStock.

Queensland

Queenslanders only have to book in 24 days of annual leave to secure 53 days off work in 2024. Brisbanites have an even better deal — they can use 28 days of annual leave to secure 62 days off.

January 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, January 20 to Sunday, January 28
• Public holiday: Friday, January 26 (Australia Day)
• Days to book: Monday, January 22; Tuesday, January 23; Wednesday, January 24; Thursday, January 25

March/April 2024 — use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break

• When to travel: Monday, March 25 to Sunday, April 7
• Public holidays: Friday, March 29 (Good Friday); Saturday, March 30 (Easter Saturday); Sunday, March 31 (Easter Sunday); Monday, April 1 (Easter Monday)
• Days to book: Monday, March 25; Tuesday, March 26; Wednesday, March 27; Thursday, March 28; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5

May 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, May 4 to Sunday, May 12
• Public holiday: Monday, May 6 (Labour Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, May 7; Wednesday, May 8; Thursday, May 9; Friday, May 10

August 2024 — if you live or work in Brisbane, use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, August 10 to Sunday, August 19
• Public holiday: Wednesday, August 14 (Royal Queensland Show)
• Days to book: Monday, August 12; Tuesday, August 13; Thursday, August 15; Friday, August 16

October 2024 — Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, October 5 to Sunday, October 13
• Public holiday: Monday, October 7 (King’s Birthday)
• Days to book: Tuesday, October 8; Wednesday, October 9; Thursday, October 10; Friday, October 11

December 2024 — use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1
• Public holidays: Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day); Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day); Wednesday, January 1, 2025 (New Year’s Day)
• Days to book: Monday, December 23; Tuesday, December 24; Friday, December 27; Monday, December 30; Tuesday, December 31

The open road in the Kimberly, WA. Picture: iStock.

Western Australia

WA workers only have to book in 28 days of annual leave to secure an impressive 62 days off work in 2024.

January 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, January 20 to Sunday, January 28
• Public holiday: Friday, January 26 (Australia Day)
• Days to book: Monday, January 22; Tuesday, January 23; Wednesday, January 24; Thursday, January 25

March 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, March 2 to Sunday, March 10
• Public holiday: Monday, March 4 (Labour Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, March 5; Wednesday, March 6; Thursday, March 7; Friday, March 8

March/April 2024 — use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break

• When to travel: Monday, March 25 to Sunday, April 7
• Public holidays: Friday, March 29 (Good Friday); Saturday, March 30 (Easter Saturday); Sunday, March 31 (Easter Sunday); Monday, April 1 (Easter Monday)
• Days to book: Monday, March 25; Tuesday, March 26; Wednesday, March 27; Thursday, March 28; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5

June 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, June 1 to Sunday, June 9
• Public holiday: Monday, June 3 (Western Australia Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, June 4; Wednesday, June 5; Thursday, June 6; Friday, June 7

September 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, September 28 to Sunday, October 6
• Public holiday: Monday, September 30 (King’s Birthday)
• Days to book: Tuesday, September 26; Wednesday, September 27; Thursday, October 28; Friday, September 29

December 2024 — use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1
• Public holidays: Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day); Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day); Wednesday, January 1, 2025 (New Year’s Day)
• Days to book: Monday, December 23; Tuesday, December 24; Friday, December 27; Monday, December 30; Tuesday, December 31

A vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, SA. Picture: iStock.

South Australia

South Australian workers only have to book in 28 days of annual leave to secure 62 days off work in 2024.

January 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, January 20 to Sunday, January 28
• Public holiday: Friday, January 26 (Australia Day)
• Days to book: Monday, January 22; Tuesday, January 23; Wednesday, January 24; Thursday, January 25

March 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, March 9 to Sunday, March 177
• Public holiday: Monday, March 11 (Adelaide Cup Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, March 12; Wednesday, March 13; Thursday, March 14; Friday, March 15

March/April 2024 — use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break

• When to travel: Monday, March 25 to Sunday, April 7
• Public holidays: Friday, March 29 (Good Friday); Saturday, March 30 (Easter Saturday); Sunday, March 31 (Easter Sunday); Monday, April 1 (Easter Monday)
• Days to book: Monday, March 25; Tuesday, March 26; Wednesday, March 27; Thursday, March 28; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5

June 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, June 8 to Sunday, June 16
• Public holiday: Monday, June 10 (King’s Birthday)
• Days to book: Tuesday, June 11; Wednesday, June 12; Thursday, June 13; Friday, June 14

October 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, October 5 to Sunday, October 13
• Public holiday: Monday, October 7 (Labour Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, October 8; Wednesday, October 9; Thursday, October 10; Friday, October 11

December 2024 — use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1
• Public holidays: Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day); Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day); Wednesday, January 1, 2025 (New Year’s Day)
• Days to book: Monday, December 23; Tuesday, December 24; Friday, December 27; Monday, December 30; Tuesday, December 31

A view of the beautiful Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park, Tasmania. Picture: iStock.

Tasmania

Tassie workers only have to book in 24 days of annual leave to secure an impressive 53 days off work in 2024.

January 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, January 20 to Sunday, January 28
• Public holiday: Friday, January 26 (Australia Day)
• Days to book: Monday, January 22; Tuesday, January 23; Wednesday, January 24; Thursday, January 25

March 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, March 9 to Sunday, March 17
• Public holiday: Monday, March 11 (Eight Hours Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, March 12; Wednesday, March 13; Thursday, March 14; Friday, March 15

March/April 2024 — use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break

• When to travel: Monday, March 25 to Sunday, April 7
• Public holidays: Friday, March 29 (Good Friday); Saturday, March 30 (Easter Saturday); Sunday, March 31 (Easter Sunday); Monday, April 1 (Easter Monday)
• Days to book: Monday, March 25; Tuesday, March 26; Wednesday, March 27; Thursday, March 28; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5

June 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, June 8 to Sunday, June 16
• Public holiday: Monday, June 10 (King’s Birthday)
• Days to book: Tuesday, June 11; Wednesday, June 12; Thursday, June 13; Friday, June 14

December 2024 — use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1
• Public holidays: Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day); Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day); Wednesday, January 1, 2025 (New Year’s Day)
• Days to book: Monday, December 23; Tuesday, December 24; Friday, December 27; Monday, December 30; Tuesday, December 31

The view of Canberra, ACT from Belconnen in the morning. Picture: iStock.

Australian Capital Territory

ACT workers can get the most time off work countrywide. They’re able to book in 32 days of annual leave to secure a staggering 71 days off work in 2024.

January 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, January 20 to Sunday, January 28
• Public holiday: Friday, January 26 (Australia Day)
• Days to book: Monday, January 22; Tuesday, January 23; Wednesday, January 24; Thursday, January 25

• When to travel: Saturday, March 9 to Sunday, March 17
• Public holiday: Monday, March 11 (Canberra Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, March 12; Wednesday, March 13; Thursday, March 14; Friday, March 15

• When to travel: Monday, March 25 to Sunday, April 7
• Public holidays: Friday, March 29 (Good Friday); Saturday, March 30 (Easter Saturday); Sunday, March 31 (Easter Sunday); Monday, April 1 (Easter Monday)
• Days to book Monday, March 25; Tuesday, March 26; Wednesday, March 27; Thursday, March 28; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5

• When to travel: Saturday, May 25 to Sunday, June 2
• Public holiday: Monday, May 27 (Reconciliation Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, May 28; Wednesday, May 29; Thursday, May 30; Friday, May 31

June 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, June 8 to Sunday, June 16
• Public holiday: Monday, June 10 (King’s Birthday)
• Days to book: Tuesday, June 11; Wednesday, June 12; Thursday, June 13; Friday, June 14

• When to travel: Saturday, October 5 to Sunday, October 13
• Public holiday: Monday, October 7 (Labour Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, October 8; Wednesday, October 9; Thursday, October 10; Friday, October 11

• When to travel: Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1
• Public holidays: Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day); Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day); Wednesday, January 1, 2025 (New Year’s Day)
• Days to book: Monday, December 23; Tuesday, December 24; Friday, December 27; Monday, December 30; Tuesday, December 31

Scenes from Ormiston Pound, NT. Picture: iStock.

Northern Territory

NT workers only have to spend 28 days of annual leave to secure a mighty 62 days off work in 2024.

January 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, January 20 to Sunday, January 28
• Public holiday: Friday, January 26 (Australia Day)
• Days to book: Monday, January 22; Tuesday, January 23; Wednesday, January 24; Thursday, January 25

March/April 2024 — use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break

• When to travel: Monday, 25 March to Sunday, April 17
• Public holidays: Friday, March 29 (Good Friday); Saturday, March 30 (Easter Saturday); Sunday, March 31 (Easter Sunday); Monday, April 1 (Easter Monday)
• Days to book: Monday, March 25; Tuesday, March 26; Wednesday, March 27; Thursday, March 28; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5

May 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, May 4 to Sunday, May 12
• Public holiday: Monday, May 6 (May Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, May 7; Wednesday, May 8; Thursday, May 8; Friday, May 10

June 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, June 8 to Sunday, June 16
• Public holiday: Monday, June 10 (King’s Birthday)
• Days to book: Tuesday, June 11; Wednesday, June 12; Thursday, June 13; Friday, June 14

August 2024 — use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, August 3 to Sunday, August 11
• Public holiday: Monday, August 5 (Picnic Day)
• Days to book: Tuesday, August 6; Wednesday, August 7; Thursday, August 8; Friday, August 9

December 2024 — use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break

• When to travel: Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1
• Public holidays: Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day); Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day); Wednesday, January 1, 2025 (New Year’s Day)
• Days to book: Monday, December 23; Tuesday, December 24; Friday, December 27; Monday, December; 30 Tuesday, December 31