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The Western Australian Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety published the official 2026 King's Birthday public holiday dates for regional areas on May 5, 2026. Western Australia is unique in observing the King's Birthday on different dates for metropolitan Perth versus regional areas. Employers must verify the specific date applicable to their location and update payroll systems to ensure employees receive correct public holiday entitlements including penalty rates or time off under applicable awards or employment contracts.
Western Australia Publishes 2026 King's Birthday Public Holiday Dates for Regional Areas
The Western Australian Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety published the official 2026 King's Birthday public holiday dates for regional areas on 2026-05-05. Western Australia is the only Australian state that observes the King's Birthday on different dates for metropolitan Perth versus regional areas, requiring employers to verify location-specific dates for compliance.
Who is affected
All employers and employees in Western Australia's regional areas are affected, regardless of whether they are covered by the state industrial relations system or the federal Fair Work system. This includes private sector employers, public sector agencies, and employers of record managing workers outside the Perth metropolitan area.
What's changing
The 2026 regional King's Birthday public holiday dates are now confirmed and published. Employers in regional Western Australia must observe the designated regional date rather than the metropolitan Perth date. The specific date varies by regional location within Western Australia.
Employers must verify the exact date applicable to their location via the WA government public holidays page, as the regional observance differs from the metropolitan area.
What NEO partners and clients should do
- Verify the specific 2026 King's Birthday date for each regional location where you employ staff by consulting the official WA government public holidays page
- Update payroll systems by 2026-05-05 to reflect the correct regional public holiday date for affected employees
- Ensure employees receive correct public holiday entitlements including penalty rates or time off in accordance with applicable awards or employment contracts
- Confirm employee locations to determine whether metropolitan Perth or regional dates apply, particularly for remote workers or employees who have relocated
