Easter Sunday a public holiday for the first time in Queensland

As most Queenslanders prepare for a four-day break over Easter, the Palaszczuk Government is reminding employers and workers that Easter Sunday is now a public holiday.

“From here on in, work on Easter Sunday is treated and paid the same way as the Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday public holidays that surround it,” Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said.

“After a change in legislation, Queensland is now consistent with public holiday arrangements in New South Wales, ACT and Victoria, where Easter Sunday had already been declared a public holiday.”

Ms Grace said with Easter Sunday now a public holiday, employers should check the industrial award for the appropriate rate of pay for work performed on that day.

She said restaurants and cafes can also include a surcharge on Sundays and public holidays, provided it’s clearly and prominently displayed.

“Those who miss out on spending time with their loved ones on Easter Sunday because of work are entitled to be paid public holiday rates,” Ms Grace said 

“And Southeast Queensland retailers will also be able to open their doors this Easter Sunday after we made changes to a frustrating anomaly in the trading hours’ law.

“Previously, retailers in the southeast weren’t allowed to open their doors on Easter Sunday, while their regional counterparts could.

“That’s now a thing of the past, and for the first time, non-exempt retailers in southeast corner can now trade away.

“Common sense has prevailed and it’s great for business and consumers, as well as tourism in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coasts and other parts of the State.”

Further details are available at Easter shop trading hours

Media contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548