Tips to Maximise Your Annual Leave in 2026

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Maximise Annual Leave 2026

By: Sally - Travel Writer

Whether you're thinking of hitting the beaches of Bali, taking a scenic European trip, or simply unwinding on an Aussie Road trip, here’s some ideas on how to make the most of public holidays in 2026. 

And while you're planning, don’t forget to consider travel insurance. After all, the last thing you want on your hard-earned holiday is an unexpected hiccup, like cancelled flights or lost luggage, which could potentially leave you out of pocket.  

Let’s dive into the key dates and tips to help you travel smarter in 2026! 

Public Holidays in 2026 (Australia) 

Australia boasts seven national public holidays in 2026, perfect for long weekends and extended getaways.

Here's a quick breakdown:

National Public Holiday	2026 Date
New Year's Day	Thursday, 1 January 2026
Australia Day	Monday, 26 January 2026
Good Friday	Friday, 3 April 2026
Easter Monday	Monday, 6 April 2026
Anzac Day	Friday, 25 April 2026
Christmas Day	Friday, 25 December 2026
Boxing Day	Monday, 28 December 2026

Remember, each state also has its own public holidays, like Labour Day and the King's Birthday, giving you even more opportunities to maximise your time off. Click here to find out all the details from your state or territory.

Holiday Hacks for 2026: Extend Your Breaks!

The New Year Recharge

Start 2026 with a bang by taking 7 days of annual leave in 2025 – 2026 to get 16 days off. With the public holidays for Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, it’s the perfect way to recharge as 2026 gets underway.

Holiday Plan:

Monday, 22 to Wednesday, 24 December 2025 – Annual Leave
Thursday, 25 December 2025 – Christmas Day Public Holiday
Friday, 26 December 2025 – Boxing Day Public Holiday
Saturday, 27 & Sunday, 28 December 2025 – Weekend
Monday, 29 to Wednesday 31 December 2025 – Annual Leave
Thursday, 1 January 2026 - New Year's Day Public Holiday
Friday, 2 January 2026 – Annual Leave

Extra Long Australia Day

With Australia Day landing on Monday, 26 January, you can snag a 9-day holiday by only using 4 days of leave. 

Holiday Plan: 

Saturday, 24 & Sunday, 25 January – Weekend 
Monday, 26 January – Australia Day Public Holiday
Tuesday, 27 to Friday, 30 January – Annual Leave 
Saturday, 31 January & Sunday, 1 February – Weekend

An Eggcellent Easter

With so many public holidays April is an excellent period to take annual leave and explore popular Easter holiday destinations in Australia and abroad. Take 4 days of leave and get 10 days off or take 8 days off and get 16!

Option 1:

Friday, 3 April – Good Friday Public Holiday
Saturday, 4 & Sunday, 5 April – Weekend
Monday, 6 April – Easter Monday Public Holiday
Tuesday, 7 to Friday, 10 April – Annual Leave
Saturday, 11 & Sunday, 12 April - Weekend

Option 2 (add-on):

Saturday, 28 & Sunday, 29 March - Weekend
Monday, 30 March – Thursday, 2 April – Annual Leave

King’s Birthday Break

In June, most Aussies can enjoy the King's Birthday on Monday, 8 June. Why not turn it into an extra-long break by taking four days of leave?

Holiday Plan:

Saturday, 6 & Sunday, 7 June - Weekend
Monday, 8 June – King’s Birthday
Tuesday, 9 to Friday, 12 June – Annual Leave
Saturday, 13 & Sunday, 14 June – Weekend

Labour Day Getaway

Labour Day is observed on a Monday in every state or territory but depending on where you live it could fall in March, May or October. Enjoy another week-long escape by using just four days of leave following the Monday public holiday or take the preceding Friday off to make it an extra-long weekend.

The Ultimate Christmas Break

The festive season is the perfect time for a long holiday. By strategically using 7 days of annual leave, you can enjoy a 16-day Christmas extravaganza! For more Christmas travel inspiration visit our guide on the best places to experience a white Christmas around the world.

Holiday Plan: 

Saturday, 19 & Sunday, 20 December – Weekend 
Monday, 21 to Thursday, 24 December – Annual Leave 
Friday, 25 December - Christmas Day Public Holiday
Saturday, 26 & Sunday, 27 December – Weekend
Monday, 28 December – Boxing Day Public Holiday
Tuesday, 29 to Thursday, 31 December – Annual Leave
Friday, 1 January 2027 – New Year’s Day Public Holiday
Saturday 2, & Sunday, 3 January 2027 - Weekend

Why You Should Consider Travel Insurance for 2026 Holidays

While planning your dream getaway is fun, it's important to be prepared for any unexpected surprises. From flight cancellations to medical emergencies, travel insurance can help protect you from unexpected out-of-pocket expenses when things don't go as planned. Here are some reasons to consider Fast Cover Travel Insurance for your next trip: 

Cancellation of your trip

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes you need to unexpectedly cancel or reschedule your trip. Our Trip Cancellation Expenses benefit can reimburse you for your pre-paid trip costs such as flights, accommodation, and tours that can’t be recovered from your travel provider (e.g. refund, credit, voucher or alternative dates). Keep in mind though, that cover is only available in certain situations and under certain types of policies, for example, there’s no cover under the Trip Cancellation Expenses benefit for the non-refundable payments that you’ve already made for your trip if you simply change your mind about going on your holiday. Always review the PDS for specific conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions that apply.  

Learn more about our Trip Cancellation Expenses benefit. 

Medical Emergencies

Medical emergencies can happen anywhere, even on holidays. All of Fast Cover’s international travel insurance policies provide the following medical benefits:

Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses: This benefit can provide certain protection against the financial burden of unexpected medical emergencies that can happen on any overseas trip; from food poisoning, treatment for a broken bone or emergency surgery for appendicitis.^ Medical expenses including hospitalisation, and even doctor’s consultations, can be covered if your medical emergency is covered under your policy. However, it's important to keep in mind that cover isn’t available for all medical expenses, and some of the excluded expenses might be (but are not limited to): medical emergencies related to your existing medical conditions which aren’t listed as covered on your certificate of insurance,  so it’s essential to review your policy to understand what is and isn't covered while you're overseas and the terms and conditions that apply. 
Overseas 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance: This benefit is available to provide access to our Australian based Emergency Assistance hotline with 24/7 support. ^
Overseas Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Expenses: If you become seriously sick or injured while overseas, having access to emergency medical care can make a huge difference. Fast Cover may be able to help with the cost of getting you to the nearest hospital for emergency medical treatment or even flying you back to Australia, in circumstances covered under your policy. The medical transfer, evacuation or repatriation must first be approved by Fast Cover. ^
Cover for Existing Medical Conditions (if pre-approved): You can also apply for cover for your existing medical conditions as well as any changes to your health and/or new medical conditions that arise before your trip by completing a medical screening. To learn more about what qualifies as a medical condition and how to apply for cover, visit our page on travel insurance for existing medical conditions.

Lost, Stolen or Accidentally Damaged Luggage

Whether the airline or cruise line loses your luggage, or your personal belongings are stolen from you or are accidentally damaged, you can claim for the lost, stolen or accidentally damaged items that you bring with you on your trip. Whilst this benefit seems fairly straight forward, conditions do apply, including: 

Limits to how much you can claim for each type of item,  
Limits on the maximum amount that you can claim for under the policy that you have chosen for your trip, and  
The situations in which we would provide cover.

For example, if the maximum limit that we would pay for an item that is stolen from you is $750, then that is the maximum amount claimable for that item irrespective of its actual value, unless you specify it as a high value item and pay an additional premium. 

However, if any of your belongings are left unsupervised, for example, left on the beach whilst you're swimming and they’re lost or stolen, your claim may be denied, because one of the conditions for cover under our policies is that you must exercise reasonable care at all times for the safety and security of your belongings.

Some of the other important cover conditions include (but is not limited to): 

Getting a written statement from the airline or cruise line confirming that they lost your luggage.  
If your items are stolen from you, you must report the theft as soon as practicable, but preferably within 24 hours to the police or to the office of the carrier that you were travelling on when the theft occurred.

The above conditions, and all the other conditions, limits and exclusions that may apply can be found by reading the PDS. Read our page on luggage and personal effects for more information on this benefit.   

Adventure Holidays

Whilst Fast Cover does cover a range of sports and leisure activities on all policies, the more adventurous traveller can choose to customise their policy by paying an additional premium to add the Adventure Pack to their policy to have cover for a list of amateur sports and activities that they are doing on their trip. 

Many activities have age restrictions and other conditions that apply, so check the PDS to see if you're eligible to add these activities to your policy and can meet the conditions.   

Visit our page on travel insurance for adventure activities to learn more about the Adventure Pack. To understand the circumstances that may or may not be covered, as well as the other benefits and the policies they apply to refer to the PDS, as it provides detailed information on the policy terms, conditions, limits, sub limits and exclusions that apply. 

Get A Quote today and start planning your 2026 adventures!

Planning a holiday should be exciting, not stressful. As you explore ways to maximise your annual leave in 2026, Fast Cover can offer options for your travel insurance needs. Whether you’re cruising the Mediterranean, exploring Southeast Asia, or enjoying a staycation in Australia, Fast Cover offers a range of policies that may assist in reimbursing out-of-pocket expense incurred due to unforeseen events that could disrupt your travel plans.

^ Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub limits apply to all policies. Make sure you consider the PDS and TMD at fastcover.com.au prior to deciding whether travel insurance is right for you and which policy is right for you and your individual needs.

If you make a claim, we will fully assess your claim; and as everyone's circumstances are different, and we will assess each claim on a case-by-case basis.

Any advice is general advice only and has not taken into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the PDS prior to deciding whether this policy is right for you.

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About the author

Sally is a travel insurance specialist and content writer at Fast Cover who enjoys researching new destinations for the monthly newsletters and Spotlight posts. A dumpling connoisseur and food blogger at heart, she has outlasted everyone at the stand-up desk and is the only reason the office plants are still alive.

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Relevant articles:

Tips to Maximise Your Annual Leave in 2026

Public Holidays in 2026 (Australia)

Holiday Hacks for 2026: Extend Your Breaks!

The New Year Recharge

Extra Long Australia Day

An Eggcellent Easter

King’s Birthday Break

Labour Day Getaway

The Ultimate Christmas Break

Why You Should Consider Travel Insurance for 2026 Holidays

Cancellation of your trip

Medical Emergencies

Lost, Stolen or Accidentally Damaged Luggage

Adventure Holidays

Get A Quote today and start planning your 2026 adventures!

Share now!

About the author

Need affordable travel insurance?

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