King's Birthday (AU) 2026 — How Many Days Until King's Birthday (AU)?
About King's Birthday (AU)
The King's Birthday public holiday in Australia celebrates the official birthday of the reigning monarch — currently King Charles III (born 14 November 1948). Because the actual birthday is in November — a less convenient time for a mid-year public holiday — Australia has long observed it on a date in the cooler autumn or winter months.
The date varies between Australian states, making it one of the few public holidays not observed uniformly across the country. In New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT, it falls on the second Monday of June. In South Australia, it is observed on the second Monday of June as well. Western Australia observes it on the fourth Monday of September. Queensland observes it on the last Monday of May or the first Monday of June (as a stand-alone "Ekka" holiday). In the Northern Territory, it is observed in June.
The holiday is used for community events, sporting fixtures, and in some states, Volunteer of the Year and other civic awards. The Melbourne Racing Club traditionally holds a King's Birthday race meeting at Flemington Racecourse, and the AFL plays Melbourne-based matches on the public holiday.
- The date of the King's Birthday holiday varies by Australian state — there is no single national date
- Most states observe it in June; Western Australia observes it in September
- The holiday celebrates the official — not actual — birthday of the reigning monarch
- King Charles III's actual birthday is 14 November
- The holiday was called Queen's Birthday until King Charles III's accession in 2022