It may be a good idea to already start planning your annual leave days for 2026. By carefully planning around public holidays you can get as much as 48 days off (based on a calculation of 20 annual leave days). Guy McDonald stood in for Ryan this morning and broke it down.
Let’s help you break it down in 6 leave applications and 4 quarters of the year. This is based on 20 days of annual leave so you’ll need to adjust according to how many leave days you get.
Quarter 1–2: April to June
- Public holidays: Good Friday – Friday 3 April and Family Day – Monday 6 April
Take leave: Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April (4 days)
What you get: Off from Friday 3 April to Sunday 12 April. 10 consecutive days off using just 4 leave days. This is the longest break you’ll get for the least effort all year. If you’re only doing one leave “hack”, make it this one.
2. Public holidays: Freedom Day – Monday 27 April and Workers’ Day – Friday 1 May
Take leave: Tuesday 28 April to Thursday 30 April (3 days)
What you get: Off from Saturday 25 April to Sunday 3 May. 9 days off for the price of 3 leave days. This one feels illegal. It isn’t. Enjoy it.
3. Public holiday: Youth Day – Tuesday 16 June
Take leave: Monday 15 June and then Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 June (4 days total)
What you get: Off from Saturday 13 June to Sunday 21 June. 9 days off. Your youth may not be fully restored, but your inbox anxiety will be.
Quarter 3: July to September
4. Public holiday: Women’s Day (observed) – Monday 10 August
Take leave: Tuesday 11 August to Friday 14 August (4 days)
What you get: Off from Saturday 8 August to Sunday 16 August. Another 9-day break. Perfect for winter escapes, staycations, or pretending you’re on leave while still wearing pyjamas.
5. Public holiday: Heritage Day – Thursday 24 September
Take leave: Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 September (3 days)
What you get: Off from Saturday 19 September to Thursday 24 September. 6 days off with minimal effort. Not the longest break, but very efficient—and nicely placed before the year gets chaotic.
Quarter 4: December Wind-Down
6. Public holiday: Day of Reconciliation – Wednesday 16 December
Take leave: Thursday 17 and Friday 18 December (2 days)
What you get: Off from Wednesday 16 December to Sunday 20 December. 5 days off using just 2 leave days. Mentally, you checked out weeks ago. This just makes it official.
