Labour Day in Australia in 2024

Labour Day in Australia in 2024
  How long until Labour Day?
Labour Day
  Dates of Labour Day in Australia
2025 Mar 3, Mar 10, May 5, Oct 6
ACTMon, Oct 6Regional Holiday
New South WalesMon, Oct 6Regional Holiday
South AustraliaMon, Oct 6Regional Holiday
Northern TerritoryMon, May 5Regional Holiday
QueenslandMon, May 5Regional Holiday
TasmaniaMon, Mar 10Regional Holiday
VictoriaMon, Mar 10Regional Holiday
Western AustraliaMon, Mar 3Regional Holiday
2024 Mar 4, Mar 11, May 6, Oct 7
ACTMon, Oct 7Regional Holiday
New South WalesMon, Oct 7Regional Holiday
South AustraliaMon, Oct 7Regional Holiday
Northern TerritoryMon, May 6Regional Holiday
QueenslandMon, May 6Regional Holiday
TasmaniaMon, Mar 11Regional Holiday
VictoriaMon, Mar 11Regional Holiday
Western AustraliaMon, Mar 4Regional Holiday
2023 Mar 6, Mar 13, May 1, Oct 2
ACTMon, Oct 2Regional Holiday
New South WalesMon, Oct 2Regional Holiday
South AustraliaMon, Oct 2Regional Holiday
Northern TerritoryMon, May 1Regional Holiday
QueenslandMon, May 1Regional Holiday
TasmaniaMon, Mar 13Regional Holiday
VictoriaMon, Mar 13Regional Holiday
Western AustraliaMon, Mar 6Regional Holiday
2022 Mar 7, Mar 14, May 2, Oct 3
ACTMon, Oct 3Regional Holiday
New South WalesMon, Oct 3Regional Holiday
South AustraliaMon, Oct 3Regional Holiday
Northern TerritoryMon, May 2Regional Holiday
QueenslandMon, May 2Regional Holiday
TasmaniaMon, Mar 14Regional Holiday
VictoriaMon, Mar 14Regional Holiday
Western AustraliaMon, Mar 7Regional Holiday
2021 Mar 1, Mar 8, May 3, Oct 4
ACTMon, Oct 4Regional Holiday
New South WalesMon, Oct 4Regional Holiday
South AustraliaMon, Oct 4Regional Holiday
Northern TerritoryMon, May 3Regional Holiday
QueenslandMon, May 3Regional Holiday
TasmaniaMon, Mar 8Regional Holiday
VictoriaMon, Mar 8Regional Holiday
Western AustraliaMon, Mar 1Regional Holiday
  Summary

Labour Day is a public holiday in Australia that was originally called Eight Hours Day

  Which regions observe Australia Labour Day in 2024?
National Holiday Regional Holiday Not a public holiday Govt Holiday

When is Labour Day in Australia?

Labour Day is a public holiday in Australia that was originally called 'Eight Hours Day'. This holiday is commemorated on different dates in the Australian States.

In ACT, New South Wales and South Australia, Labour Day takes place on the first Monday in October. In Northern Territory and Queensland, the public holiday is on the first Monday in May. It is celebrated on the second Monday in March in Victoria and Tasmania. Western Australia marks Labour day on the first Monday in March.

Labour Day in Australia commemorates the achievements of organised labour to implement the eight-hour day in the middle of the nineteenth century when previously workers were required to work 10 - 12 hours a day for six days a week.

History of Labour Day in Australia

While a change was made to the hours worked each day, the five day work week that most people enjoy today took almost a hundred years longer and was finally adopted in 1948.

Many union buildings across Australia have the numbers 888 on them. The numbers are in support of British socialist Robert Owen who believed that people should have 8 hours to work, 8 hours for recreation and 8 hours to sleep. This philosophy helped foster The Eight Hours Movement.

The first Labour Day parade was held in Melbourne on 21st April 1856.

The present day parades across Australia, are an enduring reminder of the advances made by the unions on behalf of the workers.

Labour Day is celebrated at different times across Australia because each state achieved the eight-hour day on different dates.

The Labour Day date was moved from May to the second Monday in March in some parts of Australia after World War II.

In New Zealand, this holiday is celebrated on the fourth Monday in October.


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