In line with the Premier’s Memorandum M2023-02 the Christmas closedown period for 2026-27 will be from Friday, 25 December 2026 to Friday, 8 January 2027.

While the NSW Government encourages all non ‘frontline’ areas to shut down over the Christmas and New Year period, employees are not required to put up a justification or a ‘business case’ to explain why they do not want to take leave.

“Staff who intend to work should contact their relevant manager with their proposed dates,” said PSA Industrial Manager Dylan Smith. “Some agencies will be required to maintain full or reduced services.  This means at least some staff may have to work through this period.”

If an office is going to be shut, a reasonable alternative work arrangement must be made available for workers who want to stay on. This could include working from home for some or all of that time. Employees may have to work at a different location, but cannot be expected to travel unreasonable distances and may be entitled to be reimbursed for the additional cost of travel.

Employees can be told to take recreation leave only if they have an ‘excess’ balance as defined by clause 77.2 of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2009.

This is usually defined as more than six weeks’ accumulated leave.

Employees cannot be directed to take extended leave, long service leave or leave without pay under any circumstances.

Anyone working on the morning of Christmas Eve is entitled to concessional leave for the afternoon.

Friday 25 December, Saturday 26 December, Monday 28 December and Friday 1 January are public holidays in the 2025 Christmas closedown period:

Many agencies also have a Public Service Holiday around this time, usually on the next work day following Boxing Day additional public holiday, being Tuesday29 December.