Working days calculator
Use this working days calculator to count the business days between two dates in Australia, with weekends and national public holidays taken out. It shows calendar days, weekend days, holidays and working hours, which helps with notice periods, contract end dates, pay runs and project timelines.
Updated 12 November 2026 · Uses 2026-27 figures
Count the working days between two dates
Pick a start date and an end date. Both dates are counted.
General information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Results are estimates based on 2026-27 figures and the assumptions shown. Check your award, agreement or a qualified adviser for your situation.
Looking for steady shifts or a permanent role? TQN Personnel places casual, contract and permanent staff across Australia.
Find workHow to use the working days calculator
- Pick the start date. It is counted as day one.
- Pick the end date. It is counted too, so a Monday to Friday range gives 5 working days.
- Read the number of working days, plus calendar days, weekend days and national public holidays that fall on weekdays.
- Use the working hours figure, based on a 7.6-hour day, to plan rosters or estimate pay for the period.
How working days are counted
A working day, or business day, is any Monday to Friday that is not a public holiday. The calculator counts every day from the start date to the end date, then takes out Saturdays, Sundays and national public holidays.
National public holidays included are New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. When New Year's Day, Australia Day, Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, the substitute weekday holiday is taken out instead.
| National holiday | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu 1 Jan | Fri 1 Jan |
| Australia Day | Mon 26 Jan | Tue 26 Jan |
| Good Friday | Fri 3 Apr | Fri 26 Mar |
| Easter Monday | Mon 6 Apr | Mon 29 Mar |
| Anzac Day | Sat 25 Apr | Sun 25 Apr |
| Christmas Day | Fri 25 Dec | Sat 25 Dec (Mon 27 Dec) |
| Boxing Day | Sat 26 Dec (Mon 28 Dec) | Sun 26 Dec (Tue 28 Dec) |
State and territory holidays, such as the King's Birthday, Labour Day, Melbourne Cup Day or show days, are not taken out, because they differ from state to state. Subtract them yourself if they fall inside your range.
Worked example
You want to know how many working days there are from Monday 16 November 2026 to Thursday 31 December 2026.
The range has 46 calendar days, including 12 weekend days. Christmas Day (Friday 25 December) and the Boxing Day substitute (Monday 28 December) fall on weekdays, so 2 public holidays are taken out.
Result: 32 working days, or 243.2 working hours at 7.6 hours a day.
How many working days are in a year in Australia?
A year has 260 or 261 weekdays. Take out the national public holidays that fall on weekdays and the state holidays, and most full-time employees have about 250 working days. Take out 4 weeks of annual leave (20 days) and the figure falls to about 230 days of actual work.
The exact number depends on your state. Victoria, for example, has more public holidays than most states because of Melbourne Cup Day and the AFL Grand Final holiday, so Victorian workers usually have one or two fewer working days than workers in other states.
How many working days are in a month?
Most months have 20 to 23 working days. Months with Easter or Christmas holidays have fewer. Use the calculator with the first and last day of the month for an exact count.
Common uses for a business days calculator
- Notice periods: notice under the National Employment Standards is set in weeks, but knowing the working days left helps with handover. See our notice period calculator.
- Contract and labour hire bookings: count the working days in a project so you can estimate the hours and cost of temporary staff.
- Pay runs and invoices: payment terms such as 14 or 30 days can be in calendar days or business days, so check your contract.
- Leave planning: see how many days of leave you need to cover a trip, and whether a public holiday saves you a day.
Planning a project or busy season? TQN Personnel can supply casual and contract staff for the exact working days you need. Get a labour hire quote.
Frequently asked questions
How many working days are in a year in Australia?
There are 260 or 261 weekdays in a year. After national and state public holidays, a full-time employee usually has about 250 working days, and about 230 after 4 weeks of annual leave. The exact figure depends on your state's public holidays.
How many working days are in a month?
Most months have between 20 and 23 working days. Months with Easter, Christmas or a state public holiday have fewer. Enter the first and last day of the month in the calculator for the exact number.
Does the working days calculator include the start and end date?
Yes. Both the start date and the end date are counted. So Monday to Friday of the same week gives 5 working days, as long as none of those days is a public holiday.
Which public holidays are taken out?
The national public holidays: New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, including weekday substitutes when one falls on a weekend. State-only holidays such as the King's Birthday or Labour Day are not taken out.
How many working days are in a year in NSW?
NSW usually has about 250 working days a year after national and state public holidays, before annual leave. The number changes slightly each year depending on which days of the week holidays fall on.
What is a business day in Australia?
A business day is generally any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in the place concerned. Contracts and laws sometimes define it differently, for example by excluding the days between Christmas and New Year, so check the document you are working with.
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Sources and assumptions
General information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Results are estimates based on 2026-27 figures and the assumptions shown. Check your award, agreement or a qualified adviser for your situation.