Public Holidays Are Coming—What Small Business Owners Need to Know
Public holidays are approaching, and it is crucial for small business owners in Tasmania, Victoria, and Queensland to prepare. Therefore, understanding your public holiday obligations is essential to manage upcoming rosters, payroll, and leave balances effectively.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the upcoming public holidays:
- Good Friday – Friday, 18 April 2025
- Easter Saturday—Saturday, 19 April 2025
- Easter Sunday—Sunday, 20 April 2025
- Easter Monday—Monday, 21 April 2025
- Easter Tuesday – Tuesday, 22 April 2025 (public sector only in Tasmania)
- ANZAC Day—Friday, 25 April 2025
That’s a lot of dates to keep in mind—especially if your business operates over weekends or public holidays, like hospitality or retail.
So, what are your obligations as a business owner?
1. Public Holiday Entitlements
If a public holiday falls on a day a worker would normally work, they’re entitled to be absent and still get paid their base rate for their ordinary hours—this doesn’t include penalty rates, bonuses, or loadings.
This applies to full-time and part-time workers. Casuals aren’t entitled to be paid for a public holiday unless their agreement says otherwise.
2. Can I Ask Someone to Work?
Yes—but you must have a reasonable reason to request it, and the worker can reasonably refuse. Factors that make it reasonable might include:
- The nature of your business (E.g., hospitality or aged care)
- The worker’s personal circumstances (e.g. family responsibilities)
- Whether they’re entitled to extra pay or time off instead
- How much notice you give
If you’re going to ask someone to work a public holiday, have the conversation early and document what’s agreed.
3. Penalty Rates
If your business is covered by an award or enterprise agreement, it will most likely set out penalty rates for working on public holidays—often 150% or 250% of the base rate. It could also offer time off in lieu.
Don’t assume it’s optional. Check the award relevant to your industry—Fair Work’s website is great for this.
4. Easter Tuesday (Tasmania Only)
This one catches a few people out. Easter Tuesday is not a public holiday for everyone—it generally only applies to public sector workers in Tasmania. If your team works in the private sector, Easter Tuesday is a normal workday—unless your award, agreement, or contract says otherwise.
5. Substituting a Public Holiday
You and your worker can agree to substitute a public holiday for another day—for example, if they want to work ANZAC Day and take the following Monday off instead. Make sure the agreement is in writing, and check that it doesn’t conflict with your award or agreement.
What You Should Do Now:
- Review rosters and decide if you need workers on public holidays
- Check your award or agreement for penalty rates and substitution rules
- Talk to your team early and clearly about who’s working and what they’ll be paid
- Document any variations in writing
Need help sorting out public holiday entitlements or checking your award? That’s what we’re here for.
At AHR, we’re the Workplace Problem Solvers—and that includes public holidays, leave entitlements, rosters, and everything in between.
Get in touch before the Easter and ANZAC Day rush—and avoid any public holiday headaches.
