Anzac Day Payroll NSW 2026 What Employers Need to Know


In 2026, businesses across New South Wales will need to account for an additional public holiday on Monday 27 April.

This happens because Anzac Day falls on a Saturday. While Anzac Day itself on 25 April remains a public holiday, the Monday is recognised as an additional public holiday.

For business owners, this is not just a calendar update. It has a direct impact on payroll, staff costs, and compliance.

What days are public holidays in April 2026

For payroll purposes, there are two relevant public holidays:

  • Saturday 25 April 2026

  • Monday 27 April 2026

Both days are treated as public holidays under NSW rules.

This means any employee entitlements that apply to public holidays need to be considered for both dates.

What this means for payroll

Public holidays affect how employees are paid, depending on their employment type and whether they work on the day.

This may include:

  • Public holiday penalty rates

  • Public holiday loadings

  • Entitlements for employees who do not work but would normally be rostered

  • Alternative day arrangements depending on awards or agreements

If your team works across weekends and weekdays, this becomes more complex. Saturday 25 April and Monday 27 April may be treated differently depending on the award, but both still carry public holiday obligations.

It is your responsibility as the employer to ensure the correct interpretation is applied.

Where things can go wrong

This type of situation often creates issues when:

  • Payroll systems are not updated with the additional public holiday

  • Awards are not interpreted correctly

  • Staff rosters are not aligned with public holiday entitlements

  • Manual overrides are missed or applied inconsistently

Even small errors can lead to underpayments, overpayments, or compliance risks.

This is especially important where you have a mix of casual, part time, and full time employees.

Practical steps to take now

To avoid problems in April 2026, it is worth reviewing your payroll setup now.

Check that:

  • Your payroll system includes both public holiday dates

  • Employee awards and pay conditions are up to date

  • Rosters for that period are clear and documented

  • Any automatic rules in your software are behaving as expected

If you are unsure, this is the time to clarify it, not after payroll has been processed.

How First Class Accounts Ovens & Murray can support you

Payroll is one of the areas where accuracy and timing matter most. Your team expects to be paid correctly, and the rules need to be followed.

First Class Accounts Ovens & Murray manages payroll for business owners who want it handled properly, without needing to stay across every rule and exception themselves.

This includes setting up payroll systems correctly, processing each pay run, and making sure compliance requirements are met.

Keep your payroll clean and compliant

An extra public holiday might seem minor, but it can quickly create confusion if your systems and processes are not set up properly.

If you want to be confident your payroll is accurate and handled on time, First Class Accounts Ovens & Murray can take care of it for you.

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