What about an Australian Long Weekend?
If not January 26, then when?
It’s a question we get asked all the time. And honestly - it’s a tricky one to answer.
But, what about an Australia Long Weekend? Let us know what you think!
Create an Australian Long Weekend
We are calling for the creation of an Australian Long Weekend by moving the Australia Day public holiday to the second-last Monday in January each year, creating a three-day national event.
This is a small but meaningful shift that offers a practical, unifying alternative - one that reduces harm and respects the lived experiences of First Nations communities.
What about an Australian Long Weekend?
If not January 26, then when?
It’s a question we get asked all the time. And honestly - it’s a tricky one to answer.
But, what about an Australia Long Weekend? Let us know what you think!
Majority of Australians want a long weekend not January 26
New national polling shows that a majority of Australians want a long weekend, just not on January 26.
Proposal to end Australia Day Debate
Creating an Australian Long Weekend is one idea we believe has real merit. We’ve been thinking through with others, is a small but significant shift.
Shelley Ware explores this idea further in her Koori Mail article published on 3 Dec, 2025.
See who's supporting the Australian Long Weekend
SUPPORTERS share their thoughts about the proposed idea for an “Australia Long Weekend”.
Calendar Deep Dive
A comparison of calendar options and alternative days for a January long weekend, and the case for why the second-last Monday in January just makes sense!
If not Jan 26, then when?
Where are you at?
Change The Date’, ‘Abolish The Date’, ‘Day or Mourning and going about the day like it's ‘Business As Usual’ are some of the conversations we’re hearing in Community in response to the Jan 26 ‘Australia Day’ public holiday.
We have tried to capture some of the different mindsets and approaches people have to this date. So, where are you at?
Wear your values
JAN 26 MERCH
Originally designed for January 26, this tee also applies to many other colonial dates throughout our calendar and moments in time when Truth-telling is not being centred. This tee recognises Australia’s violent past and all dates that First Nations people consider a day of mourning. This is a solidarity statement paying respects to the resistance and survival of First Nations people and highlights truth telling.
Read More
Read more: Poll reveals majority of Australians want long weekend not January 26 holiday (January 22–23, 2026). Retrieved from news.com.au.
Read more: Majority of Australians support Changing the Date, national poll finds (January 23, 2026). Retrieved from NIT.com.au.
Read more: Not a date to celebrate Invasion Day (January 2026). Retrieved from Junkee.
Read more: ‘Not a date to celebrate’: Clothing The Gaps’ fight to change January 26 (January 2026). Retrieved from SBS NITV.
