Western Australians are being invited to weigh in on possible changes to the state’s public holiday schedule, with the Cook Government launching a four-week consultation to explore options for aligning with the rest of the country.
WA currently has the fewest public holidays in Australia, with 11 annual days off compared to up to 13 in other states and territories.
The state is also the only one on the mainland that does not recognise Easter Saturday as a public holiday, meaning workers miss out on higher penalty rates.
Premier Roger Cook said the review was about fairness for WA workers, reducing scheduling clashes for national organisations, and creating more opportunities to celebrate the state’s identity.
“Western Australia is the engine room of the national economy, and I want to keep it that way,” he said.
“This is why we are considering aligning WA public holidays with other states and territories to boost productivity and make life easier for WA businesses.”
“But it’s also important that WA workers receive similar benefits to what workers receive in other states, because that’s the right thing to do.”
The government is seeking feedback on three proposed changes: moving existing holidays to match other states, shifting WA Day to avoid winter, and adding a new public holiday. Changes would not affect national holidays such as Anzac Day, Christmas or Australia Day.
The review has been welcomed by the United Workers Union, which says WA workers have been short-changed for too long.
WA State Secretary Carolyn Smith said many essential workers, including health staff and aged care workers, miss out on penalty rates that their eastern states counterparts receive for working Easter Saturday.
“West Australians work just as hard as workers in the eastern states and are just as deserving of public holidays,” Ms Smith said.
“An aged care worker in Perth who is required to work on Easter Saturday is earning wages at a much lower rate than a worker in Melbourne that day. Extra penalty rates make a big difference to a low-paid worker.”
Ms Smith confirmed the union would call for Easter Saturday to become a recognised holiday in WA, along with at least one extra public holiday.
Feedback is open until August 8, with a Consultation Paper available online to guide submissions. Any changes would take effect from 2027 or 2028.
