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Anzac Day

Anzac Day 2024, 2025 and 2026

Anzac Day is the solemn day of remembrance of those Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who have fought and died for their country, and is marked annually on the anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign of the First World War.

YearDateDayHolidayStates
202425 AprThuAnzac Day National
202525 AprFriAnzac Day National
202625 AprSatAnzac Day National
27 AprMonAnzac Day Holiday ACT & WA
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

Anzac Day is commemorated on 25 April each year, regardless of on which day it falls. For many years, no replacement holiday was given if Anzac Day fell on a weekend (except in Western Australia). However, this is beginning to change as states gradually add replacement dates to their holiday calendars.

It was on 25 April 1915 that the armies of Australia and New Zealand entered into their premier battle of the First World War, at Gallipoli, Turkey. At the time, Australia had only been recognised as a federal commonwealth for thirteen years.

Many Australians were sympathetic to the United Kingdom, which they regarded as the motherland. So the volunteer armies of Australian and New Zealand, eager to fight the good fight in the war, bravely landed on the shore of the Gallipoli Peninsula with the intent to capture and secure a safe passage for Allied navies.

At Gallipoli, the Anzacs faced off with one of the fiercest armies history has ever known. Despite landing under the cover of darkness, the Anzacs were met with immediate bombardment and gunfire. On the shores of Gallipoli, the Australian and New Zealand armies fought for eight months forcing a stalemate. Eight thousand Anzac soldiers lost their lives before the Allies called for an evacuation.

While the operation itself was not a success, the valour and determination shown by Anzacs, the “Knights of Gallipoli,” were immediately commemorated in Australia, London, and even at the Allies’ camp in Egypt in 1916. Parades and ceremonies were held in their honour, and even those who were wounded in combat were a part of the parade while they were still recovering.

By the 1920s, the day had become a way to memorialise the sixty thousand Australian soldiers who died in the First World War. By the next decade, all Australian states had a form of celebration for Anzac Day, and many of the traditions we still carry out today had already taken shape. Forevermore, the 25th of April would be known as the day Australia arrived as a force in the world.

Journalist Phillip, F. E. Schuler wrote of this defining moment in his book, “Australia in Arms” (published 1916):

“ANZAC! In April—a name unformed, undetermined; June—and the worth of a Nation and Dominion proved by the five letters—bound together, by the young army’s leader, Lieut.-General Sir W. Birdwood, in the inspired “Anzac”—Australian, New Zealand Army Corps.”

However, for all the gallantry and selfless sacrifice offered by Australians in this war, it must also be remembered that throughout World War 1 there was constant, unnecessary waste of human life. Bryce Courtenay writes about the sacrifice of the Light Horsemen in his introduction to “An Anzac’s Story” by Roy Kyle A.I.F (p. 152),

“Their gallantry will never be forgotten, and the stupidity of the commanding generals must never be forgiven. This was a war where too many of the beautiful young of every nation were sacrificed willy-nilly by old men smelling of whisky, with the brass buttons on their tunics stretched to breaking point over their paunches. Dyspeptic colonels and generals, spluttering and mumbling through their tobacco-stained moustaches, watched men die through the rubber eyepieces of their field glasses and pronounced the battle glorious.”

Why is Anzac Day important?

While Anzac Day is set to coincide with the anniversary of the landing in Gallipoli, the day itself is not meant to be a commemoration of the event, but rather the qualities that Australia established for itself there. On Anzac Day, we recognise the courage, mateship, skill, and perseverance of those who have served, fought, and given their lives in the military. On Anzac Day, we show love, honour and support for those who fought to enable freedom for people all over the world, but were not able to make it home.

Some ways Anzac Day is commemorated

Dawn Service. The Dawn Service is one of the most revered and popular ceremonies that takes place on Anzac Day. The Dawn Service is thought to have originated in the military routine known as the “stand-to.” Opposing armies often attacked in the partial light of dusk and dawn. Ever vigilant, the Australian military made it a practice to wake the soldiers and prepare them at their posts with weapons before the other armies could strike. The stand-to technique is still used by the Australian military to this day. The Dawn Service seeks to recapture those quiet moments in the near-darkness, when soldiers had an opportunity to bond and reflect. While the first Dawn Services were vigils performed only by veterans in complete silence, all Australians are encouraged to participate. Today, some services feature readings, hymns, and riffle volleys.

The Last Post. Often heard at the Dawn Service and other memorials on Anzac Day, The Last Post is the tune that is played over a bugle to signify the end of the day, or the final post. The soldiers could then take their rest. At memorial services, this melody is played to suggest the last post as a metaphor. The soldiers who are being honoured can hear the tune and know that all duties have been completed, so he or she may finally rest in peace.

Marches, Memorials, and Exhibits. Throughout the day, many towns host marches that feature veterans and members of The Returned & Services League. Thousands of people gather to give their thanks and respect along the parade routes. Memorial readings where well known poems such as “For the Fallen” and “In Flanders Fields,” help the community to honour and remember those who have served in the military, and better experience what they went through. Haunting verse such as, “Take up our quarrel with the foe: / To you from failing hands we throw / The torch; be yours to hold it high. / If ye break faith with us who die,” cause those in attendance to take a moment and really consider what roles our soldiers play in the greater context of Anzac Day. War memorials and museums also host exhibits on Australia’s military history to deepen our understanding.

Red Poppies. The lines that follow in Canadian Colonel John McCrae’s poem, “In Flanders Field,” mention, “We shall not sleep, though poppies grow / In Flanders fields.” Red poppies were the first flowers to bloom on the battlefields of Northern France and Belgium despite the bloodshed in the First World War. It was a popular tale among soldiers that the flowers gained their bright red hue from the blood of the fallen that had soaked into the ground. These red flowers are placed on war memorials as a symbol of remembrance, and perhaps a reminder that out of sacrifice, new hope emerges.

Anzac Day Football. Although football had been played on Anzac Day for a number of years, the match between Collingwood and Essendon did not become a standard recurrence until 1995. When Collingwood and Essendon first squared off against each other, it was not uncommon for AFL matches to occur on Anzac Day, as donations from the day went to benefit the RSL. However, after that first match between the classic rivals, it became clear that this annual match was a special way to pay tribute to the values of Anzac Day; while deployed across the globe, football played by Anzac soldiers as a way to sharpen their skills, keep up good humour, and forge better connections with one another. That same vein of spirit, courage, mateship, and fairness runs throughout the day, at the end of the annual match, the Anzac medal is awarded to the player who best demonstrates these highly valued Australian qualities.

Catafalque parties. A catafalque is a raised structure that holds a coffin. At a funeral as a sign of respect, four soldiers would stand about a meter away from the catafalque, facing in four different directions, with their heads lowered and weapons held at reverse. Mourners would pass by to say farewell to the departed. On Anzac Day, you may see soldiers standing in such a position again as a sign of tribute.

Anzac Biscuits. These treats had a very practical beginning. During the First World War, the friends and families of soldiers would send care packages overseas. Since any food they could send had to be resistant to spoilage and full of nutrition, a biscuit made from rolled oats, sugar, flour, coconut, butter, and a few other ingredients became a popular pastry to pack in boxes. To this day, Anzac biscuits are one of the few products approved to bear the Anzac acronym, which is protected by Federal legislation.

Some popular locations for Anzac Day commemorations

The Australian War Memorial: Located in the capital at Canberra, the Australian War Memorial hosts one of the largest Anzac Day commemoration in the country. In fact, there are even activities taking place on the days before and after. The Memorial hosts its own Dawn Service, a national ceremony featuring a march of veterans and peacekeepers, and exhibits throughout the weekend.

Sydney: The annual Anzac Day March begins at Martin Place at 9am and finishes at the end of Hyde Park at Liverpool Street. This is followed at approximately 12:30pm by a commemoration service adjacent to the Pool of Remembrance at the Anzac War Memorial within Hyde Park.

Brisbane:  At midnight the day before, Brisbane hosts a silent service for Anzac Day, followed by a Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance. The Anzac Day March in Brisbane features between ten and fifteen thousand people with about fifty thousand spectators flocking to support them. In the past, the March has been lead by the Royal Australian Navy.

Perth: The largest Dawn Service in Western Australia takes place at the State War Memorial in Perth. There is also a Gunfire Breakfast for ex-service personnel and the community to fill the time between the Dawn Service and the March, which ends in a memorial service.

Fremantle: In addition to the Dawn Service at Monument Hill, and the parade leaving from Esplanade Reserve, Fremantle also holds a closing service with an Anzac Day Concert. The spirit of the day continues on at the Sir Hughie Edwards Anzac Day Derby between South Fremantle and North Fremantle football clubs. Free admission is offered to persons with military medals or uniforms.

Melbourne: The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne not only hosts a Dawn Service, but also a Ray of Light ceremony. The Consort of Melbourne also hosts a concert at St Paul’s Cathedral that features the Choir of St James’ King Street from Sydney. Alongside pieces from the old masters Bach and Schutz, Johannes Brahms, a talented composer, instructor, and music therapist, wrote a chorale peace as solace to the living in honour of those who have passed on.

ANZAC Day’s motto is ‘Lest We Forget’ and is a phrase uttered after the reading of the Ode of Remembrance, a poem called ‘For the Fallen’, written by Laurence Binyon in 1914 in England. The main verse of the poem, the fourth and middle verse, is quoted at ANZAC Day ceremonies, and other remembrance ceremonies.

“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.”

* Where two dates are listed for a public holiday, please check your award or agreement to determine which of the two days is the relevant public holiday.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHolidayStates
202325 AprTueAnzac Day National
202225 AprMonAnzac Day National
202125 AprSunAnzac Day National
26 AprMonAnzac Day Holiday National except NSW, TAS
& VIC
202025 AprSatAnzac Day National
27 AprMonAnzac Day Holiday ACT & WA
201925 AprThuAnzac Day National
201825 AprWedAnzac Day National
201725 AprTueAnzac Day National