The simple trick to maximise your 2026 annual leave for longer holidays
A travel worker has revealed how Aussies can make the most of their annual leave in 2026, essentially doubling your time off work.
Want to maximise your time off over the festive season and into the new year?
One Aussie has shared her hack on how she makes the most of her annual leave in 2026.
Kim Henderson, a worker in the travel industry, took to TikTok to reveal how full-timers – typically with four weeks annual leave – can take 19 days of leave for a total of 41 days off.
“The key to maximising your annual leave is booking your days off around public holidays and weekends,” she told news.com.au.
“It works ever better if there are multiple public holidays off around the same time (eg Christmas and Boxing Day) as you get longer off using less leave days.
“Travelling on a Friday after work or on a Saturday morning and returning on the Sunday also ensure you are making the most of your time off.”
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Ms Henderson said she had been maximising her leave “for years”.
“It wasn’t until a friend commented that I’m always on holidays that I realised it wasn’t an obvious thought for everyone. I love encouraging other people to travel and enjoy their time off,” she added.
As public holidays are usually a more expensive time to travel, the avid traveller encouraged workers to “be organised” and book ahead.
“A lot of workplaces will only allow a certain number of people off at a time, so getting in early gives you the best chance,” she said.
“If your workplace allows, you can stretch your leave with “work from anywhere” arrangements, which allows you to explore on weekends and nights.”
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From January 24 to February 1 – taking annual leave on January 27, 28, 29 and 30 will capitalise on the Australia Day public holiday and the weekends.
Over the Easter period, taking annual leave on March 30, 31, April 1 and 2, enjoying the long weekend, and then again on April 7, 8, 9 and 10, will give workers a 16 day break.
For Christmas and New Year, taking December 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31 off will allow Aussies to make the most of the holiday season.
The leave distribution is based on federal public holidays – although it is worth noting Anzac Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, so most workers won’t get an extra day off there.
State-based holidays, such as the King’s Birthday – June 8 in most states, October 5 in Queensland and September 28 in WA – Labour Day and other equivalent holidays can also be used.
“Next year’s public holiday placements could influence how Australians approach their holidays,” Insure&Go Commercial and Marketing Director David Mayo said.
“We may see more people mixing short getaways with a major overseas trip in the same year, taking advantage of how the public holidays fall to travel for longer, or further afield, without blowing their entire leave balance in one go.
“Booking early is also a smart move, to help protect deposits and secure better fares in what is shaping up to be another busy travel year.”
It comes as more Aussies than ever are heading into summer sitting on one of the biggest holiday stockpiles the nation has ever seen.
More than 209 million days of unused annual leave has been built up during pandemic lockdowns and reinforced by years of cost-of-living pressure.
The research shows the national leave pool hit a record 216 million days earlier this year before edging back to 209 million in September – still nine million days more than two years ago and 60 million days more than five years ago.
“Only recently have the increases in annual leave days due stalled due to a change in employment composition,” Roy Morgan chief executive Michele Levine said.
Originally published as The simple trick to maximise your 2026 annual leave for longer holidays
