An extra day off is in store for most of the country this weekend as the Commonwealth observes the King’s Birthday.
But some states will have to wait a bit longer for their day off.
Here’s what you need to know about the King’s Birthday public holiday.
When is the King’s Birthday public holiday?
It depends on which state or territory you live in.
For most of the country, the public holiday falls on June 10 this year.
The following states and territories will have a public holiday on Monday:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
Monday won’t be a public holiday for:
- Queensland
- Western Australia
For these states, the day is pushed back to accommodate a better spread of public holidays throughout the year.
Most of WA will mark the King’s Birthday with a public holiday on September 23, but some regional areas in the state might hold it on a different date.
Queensland’s public holiday for the King’s Birthday isn’t until October 7.
The state moved the date around a few times in recent years, but Queensland has observed the holiday in October since 2015.
But none of these dates fall on the King’s real birthday.
When is the King’s actual birthday?
King Charles will turn 76 on November 14.
Why isn’t the King’s Birthday holiday celebrated on his real birthday?
The date most of the country observes is chosen to align with the UK’s annual celebration on the second weekend of June each year.
The UK has marked the “official” birthday of the British monarchs in June for more than 260 years with an annual parade called Trooping the Colour.
British media has reported King Charles will participate in this year’s event from a carriage, rather than on horseback as he did last year.
It’s unclear whether Charles’s daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, will attend this year’s Trooping the Colour parade.
The Princess of Wales stepped away from public duties in March to undergo cancer treatment.
Why is the King’s Birthday holiday observed in June?
Because of the weather in the UK.
The royal family website says “there’s a greater likelihood of good weather for the Birthday Parade” at this time of year.
Remember, the UK is in the Northern Hemisphere.
So while June is the start of winter in Australia, the UK will be gearing up for summer – meaning that part of the world is more likely to get a sunny day.
Here in Australia, the governor-general gives out honours and awards on the King’s Birthday weekend, which isn’t as weather-dependant as, say, a big parade in front of Buckingham Palace.
So most states and territories just align the holiday with the UK.
When do double demerits start?
Double demerits will be in effect this weekend for some jurisdictions.
This means certain driving offences will carry twice the licence point penalty during this period, compared with normal days.
Here’s when double demerits for the King’s Birthday long weekend will kick in:
- Australian Capital Territory: From 12am Friday, June 7 until 11.59pm Monday, June 10
- New South Wales: From 12.01am June 7 until 11.59pm June 10
- Western Australia: Friday, September 20 – Monday, September 23
Queensland is a little different in that its double demerits scheme is active year-round.
It’s designed to target repeat offenders and is applied to subsequent offences committed within 12 months of the first.
Victoria, Tasmania South Australia and the Northern Territory do not use a double demerit points scheme.
But drivers are still being urged to take care on the roads, regardless of whether double demerits are in place.
What’s open on the King’s Birthday?
We’re not expecting the kind of widespread store closures we see on Anzac Day or Christmas Day, which are considered restricted trading days in some states.
However, businesses may reduce their trading hours or decide to close.
Who are the King’s Birthday Honours recipients?
They haven’t been announced yet.
The King’s Birthday is one of two dates in the calendar year when Order of Australia awards are issued.
Appointments will be made by Governor-General David Hurley on behalf of King Charles.
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