Gary Martin: How to make leave last longer than WA summer

For many Australians with just 20 days of annual leave, stretching them into extended breaks has become a beloved tradition.

The next 12 months offers a golden trifecta of opportunities to maximise downtime by strategically aligning annual leave with public holidays — most notably around Christmas and new year, Australia Day and then the Easter-Anzac Day period.

With a little thought and some clever scheduling, you can transform 18 leave days into a luxurious 41 days off.

The Christmas-new year period is always a prime time for a break and this festive season is no exception.

Christmas Day this year falls on a Wednesday, while the following day is Boxing Day. New Year’s Day lands the following Wednesday.

By booking annual leave for December 23 and 24, December 27, December 30 and 31 and January 2 and 3, you can create a 16-day break spanning from Saturday, December 21, to Sunday, January 5.

And you will only use up seven annual leave days.

It is a chance to step away from work entirely, whether to spend time with family, enjoy some summer relaxation or simply reset for the year ahead.

Barely a month later, Australia Day offers another opportunity to extend time off.

With the public holiday falling on Monday, January 27, taking four additional days — January 28-31 — will turn a standard three-day long weekend into a nine-day stretch from Saturday, January 25, through to Sunday, February 2.

For many, it is an ideal way to catch their breath after the Christmas rush and a much-needed pause before diving into the busyness of the year.

The real highlight of 2025, however, is the Easter and Anzac Day combination — a rare alignment of public holidays that can deliver another extended break.

Good Friday on April 18 and Easter Monday on April 21 offer the usual extra-long weekend. But when paired with Anzac Day on Friday, April 25, the potential for a longer holiday becomes obvious.

By booking seven leave days — April 14-17 and April 22-24 — you will secure 16 days off from Saturday, April 12, to Sunday, April 27.

It is the kind of break that feels like an early mid-year reset, providing an uninterrupted stretch of time to recharge.

Making these breaks a reality is not just about knowing the dates but about acting early.

Public holidays are prime leave-taking periods and competition for time off can be fierce.

Submitting leave requests well in advance not only increases your chances of approval, but allows you to plan activities without the last-minute scramble.

Whether it is booking flights, organising time with loved ones or simply scheduling some much-needed rest, having a clear plan makes all the difference.

Beyond the logistics, these extended breaks offer something more valuable than time off alone — a chance to pause and reset.

In a world where busyness often feels like the norm, taking a proper holiday is not just about escaping the daily grind, but about recharging mentally and physically.

Professor Gary Martin is chief executive of the Australian Institute of Management WA.