How to Make the Most of Your Annual Leave in 2022

Whether you’re planning more time with your family, a holiday abroad or a staycation, we’ve got the lowdown on making the most of your holiday hours this year. A quick read of these annual leave hacks could see you spending more time where you want to be in 2022.
New South Wales
JANUARY
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 22 January to Sunday, 30 January
Public holiday Wednesday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 24 January; Tuesday, 25 January; Thursday, 27 January; Friday, 28 January
APRIL
Use 12 days annual leave for a 23-day break
When to travel Saturday, 9 April to Sunday, 1 May
Public holidays Friday, 15 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 16 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 17 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 18 April (Easter Monday); Monday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book Monday, 11 April; Tuesday, 12 April; Wednesday, 13 April; Thursday, 14 April; Tuesday, 19 April; Wednesday, 20 April; Thursday, 21 April; Friday, 22 April; Tuesday, 26 April; Wednesday, 27 April; Thursday, 28 April; Friday, 29 April
JUNE
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 11 June to Sunday, 19 June
Public holiday Monday, 13 June (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 14 June; Wednesday, 15 June; Thursday, 16 June; Friday, 17 June
OCTOBER
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 1 October to Sunday, 9 October
Public holiday Monday, 3 October (Labour Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 4 October; Wednesday, 5 October; Thursday, 6 October; Friday, 7 October
DECEMBER
Use three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel Saturday, 24 December to Monday, 2 January
Public holidays Sunday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Tuesday, 27 December (Christmas Day falls on Sunday, 25 December so the Tuesday becomes the public holiday); Sunday, 1 January (New Year’s Day); Monday, 2 January (New Year’s Day falls on Sunday, 1 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book Wednesday, 28 December; Thursday, 29 December; Friday, 30 December
Victoria
JANUARY
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 22 January to Sunday, 30 January
Public holiday Wednesday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 24 January; Tuesday, 25 January; Thursday, 27 January; Friday, 28 January
MARCH
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 12 March to Sunday, 20 March
Public holiday Monday, 14 March (Labour Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 15 March; Wednesday, 16 March; Thursday, 17 March; Friday, 18 March
APRIL
Use 12 days annual leave for a 23-day break
When to travel Saturday, 9 April to Sunday, 1 May
Public holidays Friday, 15 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 16 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 17 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 18 April (Easter Monday); Monday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book Monday, 11 April; Tuesday, 12 April; Wednesday, 13 April; Thursday, 14 April; Tuesday, 19 April; Wednesday, 20 April; Thursday, 21 April; Friday, 22 April; Tuesday, 26 April; Wednesday, 27 April; Thursday, 28 April; Friday, 29 April
JUNE
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 11 June to Sunday, 19 June
Public holiday Monday, 13 June (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 14 June; Wednesday, 15 June; Thursday, 16 June; Friday, 17 June
SEPTEMBER
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 24 September to Sunday, 2 October
Public holiday Friday, 30 September (Grand Final Friday – to be confirmed)
Days to book Monday, 26 September; Tuesday, 27 September; Wednesday, 28 September; Thursday, 29 September
OCTOBER
Use a day of annual leave for a four-day break
When to travel Saturday, 29 October to Tuesday, 1 November
Public holiday Tuesday, 1 November (Melbourne Cup Day)
Days to book Monday, 31 October
DECEMBER
Use three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel Saturday, 24 December to Monday, 2 January
Public holidays Sunday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Tuesday, 27 December (Christmas Day falls on Sunday, 25 December so the Tuesday becomes the public holiday); Sunday, 1 January (New Year’s Day); Monday, 2 January (New Year’s Day falls on Sunday, 1 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book Wednesday, 28 December; Thursday, 29 December; Friday, 30 December
SEE ALSO: All of the Fun Experiences to Tick Off in 2022
Western Australia
JANUARY
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 22 January to Sunday, 30 January
Public holiday Wednesday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 24 January; Tuesday, 25 January; Thursday, 27 January; Friday, 28 January
MARCH
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 5 March to Sunday, 13 March
Public holiday Monday, 7 March (Labour Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 8 March; Wednesday, 9 March; Thursday, 10 March; Friday, 11 March
APRIL
Use 12 days annual leave for a 23-day break
When to travel Saturday, 9 April to Sunday, 1 May
Public holidays Friday, 15 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 16 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 17 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 18 April (Easter Monday); Monday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book Monday, 11 April; Tuesday, 12 April; Wednesday, 13 April; Thursday, 14 April; Tuesday, 19 April; Wednesday, 20 April; Thursday, 21 April; Friday, 22 April; Tuesday, 26 April; Wednesday, 27 April; Thursday, 28 April; Friday, 29 April
JUNE
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 4 June to Sunday, 12 June
Public holiday Monday, 6 June (Western Australia Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 7 June; Wednesday, 8 June; Thursday, 9 June; Friday, 10 June
SEPTEMBER
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 24 September to Sunday, 2 October
Public holiday Monday, 26 September (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 27 September; Wednesday, 28 September; Thursday, 29 October; Friday, 30 September
DECEMBER
Use three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel Saturday, 24 December to Monday, 2 January
Public holidays Sunday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Tuesday, 27 December (Christmas Day falls on Sunday, 25 December so the Tuesday becomes the public holiday); Sunday, 1 January (New Year’s Day); Monday, 2 January (New Year’s Day falls on Sunday, 1 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book Wednesday, 28 December; Thursday, 29 December; Friday, 30 December
Queensland
JANUARY
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 22 January to Sunday, 30 January
Public holiday Wednesday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 24 January; Tuesday, 25 January; Thursday, 27 January; Friday, 28 January
APRIL
Use 12 days annual leave for a 23-day break
When to travel Saturday, 9 April to Sunday, 1 May
Public holidays Friday, 15 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 16 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 17 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 18 April (Easter Monday); Monday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book Monday, 11 April; Tuesday, 12 April; Wednesday, 13 April; Thursday, 14 April; Tuesday, 19 April; Wednesday, 20 April; Thursday, 21 April; Friday, 22 April; Tuesday, 26 April; Wednesday, 27 April; Thursday, 28 April; Friday, 29 April
AUGUST
If you’re in Brisbane, use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 6 August to Sunday, 14 August
Public holiday Wednesday, 10 August (Royal Queensland Show)
Days to book Monday, 8 August; Tuesday, 9 August; Thursday, 11 August; Friday, 12 August
OCTOBER
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 1 October to Sunday, 9 October
Public holiday Monday, 3 October (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 4 October; Wednesday, 5 October; Thursday, 6 October; Friday, 7 October
DECEMBER
Use three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel Saturday, 24 December to Monday, 2 January
Public holidays Sunday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Tuesday, 27 December (Christmas Day falls on Sunday, 25 December so the Tuesday becomes the public holiday); Sunday, 1 January (New Year’s Day); Monday, 2 January (New Year’s Day falls on Sunday, 1 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book Wednesday, 28 December; Thursday, 29 December; Friday, 30 December
SEE ALSO: 37 of the Best Australian Short Breaks
Northern Territory
JANUARY
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 22 January to Sunday, 30 January
Public holiday Wednesday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 24 January; Tuesday, 25 January; Thursday, 27 January; Friday, 28 January
APRIL
Use 12 days annual leave for a 23-day break
When to travel Saturday, 9 April to Sunday, 1 May
Public holidays Friday, 15 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 16 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 17 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 18 April (Easter Monday); Monday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book Monday, 11 April; Tuesday, 12 April; Wednesday, 13 April; Thursday, 14 April; Tuesday, 19 April; Wednesday, 20 April; Thursday, 21 April; Friday, 22 April; Tuesday, 26 April; Wednesday, 27 April; Thursday, 28 April; Friday, 29 April
JUNE
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 11 June to Sunday, 19 June
Public holiday Monday, 13 June (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 14 June; Wednesday, 15 June; Thursday, 16 June; Friday, 17 June
AUGUST
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 30 July to Sunday, 7 August
Public holiday Monday, 1 August (Picnic Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 2 August; Wednesday, 3 August; Thursday, 4 August; Friday, 5 August
DECEMBER
Use three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel Saturday, 24 December to Monday, 2 January
Public holidays Sunday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Tuesday, 27 December (Christmas Day falls on Sunday, 25 December so the Tuesday becomes the public holiday); Sunday, 1 January (New Year’s Day); Monday, 2 January (New Year’s Day falls on Sunday, 1 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book Wednesday, 28 December; Thursday, 29 December; Friday, 30 December
South Australia
JANUARY
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 22 January to Sunday, 30 January
Public holiday Wednesday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 24 January; Tuesday, 25 January; Thursday, 27 January; Friday, 28 January
MARCH
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 12 March to Sunday, 20 March
Public holiday Monday, 14 March (Adelaide Cup Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 15 March; Wednesday, 16 March; Thursday, 17 March; Friday, 18 March
APRIL
Use 12 days annual leave for a 23-day break
When to travel Saturday, 9 April to Sunday, 1 May
Public holidays Friday, 15 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 16 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 17 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 18 April (Easter Monday); Monday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book Monday, 11 April; Tuesday, 12 April; Wednesday, 13 April; Thursday, 14 April; Tuesday, 19 April; Wednesday, 20 April; Thursday, 21 April; Friday, 22 April; Tuesday, 26 April; Wednesday, 27 April; Thursday, 28 April; Friday, 29 April
JUNE
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 11 June to Sunday, 19 June
Public holiday Monday, 13 June (Queen’s Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 14 June; Wednesday, 15 June; Thursday, 16 June; Friday, 17 June
OCTOBER
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 1 October to Sunday, 9 October
Public holiday Monday, 3 October (Labour Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 4 October; Wednesday, 5 October; Thursday, 6 October; Friday, 7 October
DECEMBER
Use three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel Saturday, 24 December to Monday, 2 January
Public holidays Sunday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Tuesday, 27 December (Christmas Day falls on Sunday, 25 December so the Tuesday becomes the public holiday); Sunday, 1 January (New Year’s Day); Monday, 2 January (New Year’s Day falls on Sunday, 1 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book Wednesday, 28 December; Thursday, 29 December; Friday, 30 December
Tasmania
JANUARY
Use four days annual leave for a nine-day break
When to travel Saturday, 22 January to Sunday, 30 January
Public holiday Wednesday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 24 January; Tuesday, 25 January; Thursday, 27 January; Friday, 28 January
APRIL
Use 12 days annual leave for a 23-day break
When to travel Saturday, 9 April to Sunday, 1 May
Public holidays Friday, 15 April (Good Friday); Saturday, 16 April (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 17 April (Easter Sunday); Monday, 18 April (Easter Monday); Monday, 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Days to book Monday, 11 April; Tuesday, 12 April; Wednesday, 13 April; Thursday, 14 April; Tuesday, 19 April; Wednesday, 20 April; Thursday, 21 April; Friday, 22 April; Tuesday, 26 April; Wednesday, 27 April; Thursday, 28 April; Friday, 29 April
OCTOBER
Use one day of annual leave for a four-day break
When to travel Thursday, 20 October to Sunday, 23 October
Public holiday Thursday, 20 October (Royal Hobart Show)
Days to book Friday, 21 October
DECEMBER
Use three days annual leave for a 10-day break
When to travel Saturday, 24 December to Monday, 2 January
Public holidays Sunday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Tuesday, 27 December (Christmas Day falls on Sunday, 25 December so the Tuesday becomes the public holiday); Sunday, 1 January (New Year’s Day); Monday, 2 January (New Year’s Day falls on Sunday, 1 January so the Monday becomes the public holiday)
Days to book Wednesday, 28 December; Thursday, 29 December; Friday, 30 December