Every year, Australians enjoy a public holiday to mark the official birthday of the reigning monarch. Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the day is now known as the King’s Birthday. But if you live in Queensland, you may have noticed something unusual: the rest of the country celebrates in June, while Queensland waits until October. So, why the difference?
A Tradition That Dates Back to the Queen
For decades, the Queen’s Birthday was observed in most Australian states and territories on the second Monday in June. This tradition lined up with the United Kingdom, where the sovereign’s official birthday was marked with ceremonies in summer, regardless of the monarch’s actual birth date.
Queensland, however, broke with that tradition in 2012 when the state government shifted the holiday to October. The change was partly made to spread public holidays more evenly across the year. At the time, Queenslanders had very few long weekends in the second half of the year compared to the first.
Why October Works Better for Queensland
By moving the King’s (then Queen’s) Birthday holiday to October, the state created a much-needed break between the mid-year Ekka holiday in August and Christmas. October also avoids clashing with other national events, and gives Queenslanders their own unique long weekend later in the year.
Importantly, the state government decided to keep Labour Day in May, rather than shifting it to October like some other jurisdictions. This left June without a public holiday, which made the October switch even more appealing.
How the Rest of the Country Celebrates
Outside Queensland and Western Australia, the King’s Birthday is still celebrated on the second Monday in June. It has become a marker of the start of winter and is often tied to major events like the AFL and NRL seasons.
Western Australia is another exception. The state celebrates the King’s Birthday in either September or October, with the exact date set each year by the state government. Like Queensland, the reason is tied to balancing out public holidays across the calendar.
The Result: A Patchwork of Dates
- Queensland: October long weekend
- Western Australia: September or October, announced annually
- All other states and territories: Second Monday in June
This patchwork means that travellers and businesses need to keep track of different holiday dates depending on where they are in the country. It also highlights how public holidays in Australia are set by state governments, not nationally.
More Than Just a Date on the Calendar
While the King’s Birthday doesn’t mark King Charles III’s actual birth date in November, it has long been a symbolic occasion. For many Australians, it’s less about the monarchy and more about enjoying a long weekend. In Queensland’s case, shifting the holiday to October ensures residents get a well-spaced break later in the year, while still keeping the tradition alive.
