How to maximise your annual leave in 2023: Turn 22 days into 57 days off during the year

Everyone wants as much time off during the year from work as possible. Sometimes, your basic four-week annual leave plan just doesn't cut it. 

Even though most full-time workers are entitled to 20 days (four weeks) each year, thanks to public holidays, you can use some fancy mathematical footwork to convert this into a massive 57 days off.

The year has already almost flown by, but you still can organise a long summer break over Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 without using too much leave.

Watch the video above.

READ MORE: The casserole dish the internet is obsessed is on sale here

READ MORE: This flat white has just been crowned Australia's best

October 2023

October means the Labour Day public holiday.

This year, it falls on Monday, October 2, so you can book Friday September 29 and Tuesday October 3 to make it a nice five-day break using just two days of annual leave.

Christmas and New Year

So how does it work? It starts with booking in leave for Christmas 2023/New Year 2024.

Most people are given three public holidays during this period: Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

The Christmas period is abundant with leave opportunities. Here, you can book just three days leave for an eight-day break.

For travel between Saturday, December 23 until Monday, January 1, use your remaining leave for Wednesday, December 27 to Friday, December 29.

You can also take the rest of the week off in the New Year to make it a 16-day holiday.

READ MORE: BB

January 2024

And in January 2024, you can use the January 26 public holiday (which falls on a Friday) for an eight-day break using five days' annual leave.

Book the dates January 29, 30, 31 and February 1-2 off, giving yourself a nice summer holiday.

Happy holidaying!