Labour Day commemorates the achievements of the Australian labour movement. The celebration of Labour Day has its origins in the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. On 21 April 1856 Stonemasons and building workers on building sites around Melbourne, Australia, stopped work and marched from the University of Melbourne to Parliament House to achieve an eight-hour day.
Their direct action protest was a success, and they are noted as the first organised workers in the world to achieve an eight-hour day with no loss of pay, which subsequently inspired the celebration of Labour Day.
The Labour Day public holiday varies considerably between the various states and territories. In New South Wales its the first Monday in October.
The first Monday in October is Labour day which gives the people of the State of New South Wales three days off to enjoy the Spring season. Labour day falls right in the middle of the school holidays, which means plenty of things to do with kids and family, visit to the zoo, horse riding, take a road trip, explore the outdoor, camping, cycling, bush walk in national parks, learn kayaking, surfing, snorkel, fishing and visiting beaches.
| Public Holidays in New South Wales |
| New Year’s Day |
| Australia Day |
| Good Friday |
| Easter Saturday (the Saturday following Good Friday) |
| Easter Sunday |
| Easter Monday |
| Anzac Day |
| Queen’s Birthday |
| Bank Holiday * |
| Labour Day |
| Christmas Day |
| Boxing Day |