A good leave plan starts with your normal working week. Mark your days off first, add the public holidays that apply to you, and then count only the remaining workdays as annual leave. A nine-day trip does not necessarily require nine days of leave.
Start with the break you actually want
Decide whether you want a short reset, a family visit or a longer trip. Set a leave budget before looking at flights. Four days of leave around a Monday public holiday can connect two weekends, giving a Monday–Friday worker nine consecutive days away from work.
A worked example for 2027
Labour Day falls on Monday 25 October 2027. Taking Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 October as annual leave creates a break from Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 October: nine calendar days using four leave days, assuming you normally work Monday–Friday and receive Labour Day off.
Check the trade-offs
A longer break is not always the cheapest trip. Compare accommodation and transport costs before using your leave. If your household has children at school, check the school calendar separately; a work holiday does not automatically create a school holiday week.
Make the request clear
List the specific working dates you want off, rather than asking for an entire date range without explanation. Discuss cover early and wait for approval before committing to non-refundable travel. Leave availability and approval depend on your workplace arrangements.
Try your own dates
Our leave planner counts consecutive days away and lists the dates to request. It uses published observed holiday dates for weekday work patterns. For rotating rosters, start with your actual roster and confirm public holiday treatment with your employer.