Yahoo Finance How to turn 20 days into 59 days of holidays in 2023
Looking to travel in 2023? Here's how to maximise your annual leave.
With some clever planning, Aussies can more than double their time off work next year and get a few much deserved holidays.
Finder took a close look at the 2023 calendar and revealed how Aussies could make the most of their annual leave.
By booking leave days strategically, Australians can maximise their days off and get 53 days or more of holiday time in 2023. Those living in the ACT, Victoria or Tasmania are the luckiest and could get up to 59 days off next year. This is followed by Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory with 56 days. Those living in Queensland can get 54 days, while those in New South Wales get the least with 53 days.
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Finder editor-in-chief Angus Kidman said your best bet was to book leave as early as possible.
“As we enter the new year, plenty of workers are already thinking about holiday plans for 2023,” Kidman said.
“These annual leave hacks work around public holidays, which are peak travel seasons. That’s why it’s a good idea to submit your annual leave request as soon as you can – don't be the one who misses out. Also, book your trip as early as you can to secure your spot, as well as the best prices.”
Finder data found 55 per cent of Australians were planning a holiday in the next 12 months. The majority (28 per cent) planned to travel only within Australia.
While 14 per cent plan to go internationally, a further 13 per cent plan to holiday both within Australia and overseas in the coming year.
Kidman said Easter and Christmas were excellent opportunities to maximise time off.
“The two nationwide public holiday periods of Easter - where you’re guaranteed a four-day weekend - and Christmas - where you're guaranteed at least two annual leave days off - are great times to maximise your leave,” he said.
“You can enjoy a 16-day holiday in April by using eight days of annual leave in the first two weeks.
“In 2023, Christmas and Boxing Day fall on Monday and Tuesday, so you're automatically guaranteed a four-day weekend without cutting into any annual leave. You only need to take three days (Wednesday-Friday) to have a 10-day holiday.”
How to maximise your annual leave
Book in annual leave for the days in italics. The other days are either weekends or public holidays.
January:
Sunday 1 January (New Year's Day)
Monday 2 January (Public holiday: New Year's Day observed)
Holiday length: 2 days
Annual leave used: 0 days
Thursday 26 January (Public holiday: Australia Day)
Friday 27 January
Saturday 28 January
Sunday 29 January
Holiday length: 4 days
Annual leave used: 1 day
March:
Saturday 11 March
Sunday 12 March
Monday 13 March (ACT only public holiday: Canberra Day)
Holiday length: 3 days
Annual leave used: 0 days
April:
Saturday 1 April
Sunday 2 April
Monday 3 April
Tuesday 4 April
Wednesday 5 April
Thursday 6 April
Friday 7 April (Public holiday: Good Friday)
Saturday 8 April
Sunday 9 April
Monday 10 April (Public holiday: Easter Monday)
Tuesday 11 April
Wednesday 12 April
Thursday 13 April
Friday 14 April
Saturday 15 April
Sunday 16 April
Holiday length: 16 days
Annual leave used: 8 days
Saturday 22 April
Sunday 23 April
Monday 24 April
Tuesday 25 April (Public holiday: Anzac Day)
Wednesday 26 April
Thursday 27 April
Friday 28 April
Saturday 29 April
Sunday 30 April
Holiday length: 9 days
Annual leave used: 4 days
May:
Saturday 27 May
Sunday 28 May
Monday 29 May (Public holiday: Reconciliation Day)
Holiday length: 3 days
Annual leave used: 0 days
June:
Saturday 10 June
Sunday 11 June
Monday 12 June (Public holiday: Queens Birthday)
Holiday length: 3 days
Annual leave used: 0 days
October:
Saturday 30 September
Sunday 1 October
Monday 2 October (Public holiday: Labour Day)
Tuesday 3 October
Wednesday 4 October
Thursday 5 October
Friday 6 October
Saturday 7 October
Sunday 8 October
Holiday length: 9 days
Annual leave used: 4 days
December and January:
Saturday 23 December
Sunday 24 December
Monday 25 December (Public holiday: Christmas Day)
Tuesday 26 December (Public holiday: Boxing Day)
Wednesday 27 December
Thursday 28 December
Friday 29 December
Saturday 30 December
Sunday 30 December
Monday 1 January 2024 (Public holiday: New Year's Day)
Holiday length: 10 days, including New Year's Day in 2024.
Annual leave used: 3 days
Totals:
Total holiday days: 59 days (including 1 day in 2024)
Annual leave used: 20 days
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