June long weekend 2022 australia queens birthday public holiday state by state guide 20220601 p5yhsh.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Which states and territories get a long weekend for the Queen's Birthday?

Savannah Meacham

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It's that time of year again when the Queen's Birthday long weekend approaches and confusion ensues.

With dates differing from state to state and the long weekend not falling on the Queen's actual natal day, many of us can be unsure whether we should prepare for a long weekend or not.

Here's a guide to who gets a sleep-in on June 13.

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Tourists enjoy June long weekend celebrations in NSW in 2020.

Tourists enjoy June long weekend celebrations in NSW in 2020. Dominic Lorrimer

Who gets the long weekend?

In most Australian states and territories, the Queen's Birthday falls on Monday, June 13.

This includes New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.

Most people in these states and territories will enjoy a public holiday on June 13 and therefore a long weekend, however, it depends on your terms of employment.

Western Australia and Queensland are the only states which celebrate the Queen's Birthday on a different day.

For Western Australia, it's because the state holds Western Australia Day on the first Monday of June.

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The state spreads out its public holidays and this year the Queen's Birthday public holiday will fall on Monday, September 26.

In Queensland, the Queen's Birthday public holiday has been held on the first Monday of October since 2016.

This year that day will be Monday, October 3.

What will be open?

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Unlike Christmas and Good Friday, most shops are open on the Queen's Birthday public holiday but may operate under altered hours.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants are allowed to stay open on the public holiday however some smaller venues may choose to close.

READ MORE: Here's a guide to what's open this Queen's Birthday holiday

Supermarkets splice image: Woolworths, Aldi, Coles

Shops and supermarkets are allowed to open on the Queen's Birthday. iStock

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Public transport is also expected to be running as usual however may operate on a different timetable.

It's recommended to check your state or territories' public transport website to check for any changes.

When is the Queen's actual birthday?

Queen Elizabeth II's actual date of birth was April 21, 1926.

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However, throughout the UK and Commonwealth (which includes Australia, New Zealand and Canada) a different date was chosen to be the Queen's (or King's) Official Birthday.

This official birthday was first celebrated during the reign of King George II in 1748.

Since then, the birthday has been celebrated on different days in different countries who acknowledge it.

Edward VII, who reigned from 1901-1910, moved the date to June in hopes of enjoying the celebrations in better weather in the UK.

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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II receives the President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis and his wife Paola Cassis during an audience at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England on April 28, 2022. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Queen Elizabeth II was actually born in April. AP

This is because his actual birthday was in November which is during the wet and cold British winter.

Australia celebrated the Official Birthday on the same day as the monarch's actual birthday from 1788 until 1936.

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After that, the government decided to follow the UK to a mid-year date to space out public holidays more evenly.

READ MORE: Double demerits to kick in at midnight for Queen's Birthday

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