There’s a trick to turning a handful of annual leave days into extended holidays multiple times a year — and in 2027, Western Australians have plenty of opportunities to make their leave go further.
By strategically booking 31 days of annual leave around public holidays and weekends, West Aussies can score a whopping 71 days off .
From a nine-day escape around Australia Day to a mammoth 16-day break over Christmas and New Year, the calendar is packed with opportunities for workers to stretch their annual leave further.
Here’s how to make the most of it.
Australia Day: Nine days off using four days of leave
Australia Day falls on Tuesday, January 26, in 2027, giving workers an opportunity to kick-start the year with an extended break.
Book Monday, January 25, and Wednesday, January 27, to Friday, January 29, off and you’ll have nine consecutive days away from work— from Saturday, January 23, to Sunday, January 31.
It’s the perfect opportunity to escape Perth for a summer road trip or a few days by the beach.
Easter: 10 days off using four days of leave
Easter offers another chance to stretch a handful of annual leave days into a substantial break.
Good Friday falls on March 26, with Easter Monday on March 29.
Take annual leave from Tuesday, March 30, to Friday, April 2, and you’ll enjoy 10 consecutive days off — from March 26 to April 4.
That’s enough time to head down south, explore more of Australia or plan an overseas getaway.
Anzac Day: Nine days off using four days of leave
Anzac Day falls on Sunday, April 25, with WA getting a public holiday on Monday, April 26.
By taking off Tuesday, April 27, to Friday, April 30, workers can turn the long weekend into a nine-day break running from Saturday, April 24, to Sunday, May 2.
Labour Day: Nine days off using four days of leave
The Labour Day public holiday on Monday, March 1.
Take Tuesday, March 2, to Friday, March 5, off and you’ll have nine consecutive days away from work — from Saturday, February 27, to Sunday, March 7.
It’s an ideal chance to make the most of the tail end of summer with a road trip or a few days away from the city.
WA Day: Nine days off using four days of leave
WA Day falls on Monday, June 7, creating another opportunity for a winter escape.
Book Tuesday, June 8, to Friday, June 11, off and you’ll have nine days away from work — from Saturday, June 5, to Sunday, June 13.
Whether it’s a cosy Margaret River getaway or a few nights exploring the South West, the extra days could make a short break feel much longer.
King’s Birthday: Nine days off using four days of leave
WA’s King’s Birthday public holiday falls on Monday, September 27.
Take Tuesday, September 28, to Friday, October 1, off and you’ll have nine consecutive days away from work — from Saturday, September 25, to Sunday, October 3.
The ideal chance to squeeze in a spring getaway before the end-of-year rush starts.
Christmas and New Year: 16 days off using seven days of leave
The festive season delivers one of the biggest opportunities to maximise annual leave in 2027.
Christmas Day falls on Saturday, December 25, with substitute public holidays on Monday, December 27, and Tuesday, December 28.
New Year’s Day also falls on a Saturday, with a substitute public holiday on Monday, January 3, 2028.
Take off Wednesday, December 29, to Friday, December 31, followed by Tuesday, January 4, to Friday, January 7, and you’ll have 16 consecutive days away from work.
The break runs from Saturday, December 25, to Sunday, January 9, 2028.
That’s more than two weeks to make the most of the summer heat, escape it ... or do whatever!
How WA compares with the rest of Australia
Western Australians are among the best placed in the country to turn annual leave into extended holidays in 2027, with the right combination of public holidays and weekends potentially delivering 71 days off using 31 days of leave.
WA’s advantage comes from public holidays including WA Day in June, the King’s Birthday in September and the additional Anzac Day public holiday on Monday, April 26.
The Northern Territory also offers the potential for 71 days off using 31 days of leave, while Queenslanders could score 67 days off using 29 days.
Workers in the ACT could secure 68 days off using 27 days of leave, while those in NSW and South Australia could get 62 days off using 27 days.
Victorians could get 60 days off using 24 days of leave, while Tasmanians could get 56 days off using 22 days.