Father’s Day 2026 in Australia

Father’s Day in Australia is celebrated on the first Sunday in September. The day is dedicated to honoring fathers and father figures, including stepfathers, grandfathers, guardians, and others who play a meaningful role in the lives of children and families.

Is Father’s Day a Public Holiday?

Father’s Day is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, September 6, 2026 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in Australia.

When Is Father’s Day in Australia?

Father’s Day falls on the first Sunday of September in Australia, typically coinciding with the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

This date differs from many other countries, such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, which celebrate on the third Sunday of June.

How Do Australians Celebrate Father’s Day?

People in Australia celebrate Father’s Day in a variety of meaningful and personal ways:

• Spending quality time with family, often through shared meals like a big breakfast, a laid-back brunch, or a classic backyard barbecue.
• Giving Father’s Day gifts, including tools, gadgets, sports gear, clothing, books, and grooming items.
• Honoring father figures, such as stepfathers, grandfathers, foster carers, and mentors.
• Making handmade cards or gifts is especially common among young children and families celebrating their first Father’s Day.
• Reaching out to loved ones through phone calls, video calls, or heartfelt messages, particularly when loved ones live far away.

Popular Outdoor and Community Activities

With spring just beginning, many families take advantage of the mild September weather to celebrate outdoors:

• Visiting parks, beaches, or nature trails.
• Organizing picnics or family games.
• Participating in community events such as fun runs, charity breakfasts, or local markets—many of which raise awareness or funds for causes like men’s health.

Some schools also play a role in the Father’s Day celebrations. In the weeks leading up to the day, many schools host Father’s Day gift tables or small marketplaces, allowing children to choose affordable gifts independently.

Public Life

Father’s Day is not a public holiday in Australia. It falls on a Sunday, which means most government offices, banks, and schools may already be closed.

Retail stores, restaurants, and cafés usually remain open, and many offer Father’s Day promotions.

History of Father’s Day in Australia

Australia adopted Father’s Day from the United States, where the tradition began in the early 20th century.

The first known Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington, in 1910, when Sonora Smart Dodd proposed a day to honor her father, a Civil War veteran and widower who raised six children alone.

Australia began celebrating Father’s Day in 1936 but chose a different date, likely influenced by seasonal preferences and retail calendar opportunities. It provides a nice midpoint between Mother’s Day in May and Christmas Day in December. The timing in September distinguishes it from the North American and European observances in June.

About Father’s Day in Other Countries

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.