Qld Labour Day back in May in 2016

Queensland's Labour Day holiday will be returned to the first Monday in May from next year.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the announcement fulfilled a pre-election commitment and would undo a "vindictive" decision by the former LNP government to move the holiday to October in 2013.

"This day has often been considered to be simply a political day," Mr Pitt said on Tuesday.

"But frankly (it) is all about ensuring we celebrate the hard-fought-and-won conditions that working Queenslanders have had to come through over more than a century."

But he dismissed the suggestion the move was designed to favour unions.

The change wouldn't happen until next year to maintain certainty and stability for businesses and the public, he said.

Mr Pitt also confirmed the Queen's Birthday holiday will move to the first Monday in October.

This would allow a good spread of holidays throughout the year, Mr Pitt said.

Labour Day has been commemorated in Queensland in May since 1891, as a celebration of workers' rights such as fair wages, good working conditions and the eight-hour day.