Christmas Day in Australia
Christmas Day is observed on 25 December and is listed as a public holiday across Australia. For Christians, it marks the birth of Jesus; in Australia, it also arrives in summer, when beach gatherings and barbecues are among the ways people celebrate.[1][2]
Meaning and Australian character
The Australian Government describes Christmas Day as a gift-giving day based on the Christian celebration of Jesus’s birth. Families and communities mark it in different ways, so there is no single Australian menu or custom that represents everyone.[1]
The season gives familiar Christmas imagery a warm-weather setting. Tourism Australia highlights beach visits, swimming, surfing and Christmas barbecues in the sunshine as ways some people celebrate.[2]
A public holiday with local rules
Christmas Day is one of the public holidays named in the National Employment Standards. Employees covered by the national workplace relations system have a right to be absent on a public holiday, and full-time and part-time employees are generally paid their base rate for ordinary hours they would have worked. Employers may ask employees to work when the request is reasonable, and employees may refuse when their refusal is reasonable.[3]
Public holiday arrangements can differ by state and territory. State or territory law may provide an additional or substitute public holiday when Christmas Day falls on a weekend; workplace awards or registered agreements can also allow an agreed substitute day. Check the official calendar for the place where you work or are visiting.[3][4]
How people observe the day
Some Australians head outdoors for a swim, surf or barbecue, while others celebrate at home or gather with family and friends. Tourism Australia presents beach celebrations as one local option, rather than a custom followed by everyone.[2]
For many Christians, worship is part of the day’s observance. Beyond religious practice, Christmas is also associated in Australian Government information with gift-giving. Individual households and communities choose their own ways to mark the occasion.[1]
What to expect when planning
Expect public service hours to change: Services Australia closes its service centres and call centres on national public holidays, including Christmas Day. Retail rules are set locally too. In New South Wales, 25 December is a restricted trading day for shops, with some exemptions; rules elsewhere may differ.[5][6]
Do not assume a shop, attraction or transport service will operate on its usual schedule. Check the business or local transport operator before making plans, and consult the relevant state or territory public holiday calendar for observed days.[4][6]
Christmas Day in Australia: FAQs
Is Christmas Day a public holiday in Australia?
Yes. Christmas Day is listed as a public holiday under the National Employment Standards and appears in the Fair Work Ombudsman’s public holiday lists for Australian states and territories.[3]
When is Christmas Day?
Do employees get the day off?
Employees covered by the national workplace relations system have the right to be absent on a public holiday. An employer may request work if the request is reasonable, and employees may refuse if their refusal is reasonable.[3]
Sources and references
Sources used for Christmas Day in Australia:
- Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond- Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
- Everyday Aussie things to try- Tourism Australia
- Public holidays fact sheet- Fair Work Ombudsman
- Public holidays- Fair Work Ombudsman
- Public holiday reporting and payment dates- Services Australia
- Trading on public holidays in NSW- NSW Government