Ramadan Start 2026, Australia

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and one of the holiest periods in the Muslim faith. In Australia, this sacred month is observed by a diverse and growing Muslim population through daily fasting, prayer, acts of charity, and community gatherings.

Is Ramadan Start a Public Holiday?

Ramadan Start is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.

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When Is Ramadan in Australia?

Because the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, Ramadan shifts to around 10 or 11 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year.

The holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and begins with the sighting or calculation of the Waxing Crescent Moon, the very slim crescent that appears just after the New Moon. The fasting month lasts 29 to 30 days, ending with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

In Australia, there is no single universal authority that all Muslims follow to declare the start and end of Ramadan. Different communities and organisations may follow different practices, including:

• relying on local moon sightings
• deferring to regional or international sighting reports
• using astronomical calculations
• following announcements from prominent bodies like the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) or local mosques

Because the process depends on local Moon sightings and differing practices, communities may announce start and end dates independently, and dates can vary by one day across regions or groups in Australia.

What’s Open, What’s Closed?

Ramadan is not a public holiday in Australia; therefore, schools, government services, and most businesses generally operate according to their usual opening hours. Some Muslim-owned companies and community organisations, however, may adjust trading hours during the month.

Learn more about Ramadan fasting

How Is Ramadan Observed in Australia?

Ramadan is widely observed across Australia’s Muslim communities, which include people of Turkish, Lebanese, Indonesian, South Asian, African, and Bosnian heritage, among others. Common practices include:

• Fasting from dawn to sunset (sawm), after a pre-dawn meal (suhoor), Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual activity during daylight hours. The fast is broken each evening with a meal known as iftar.
• Special nightly prayers are observed during Ramadan, with many Muslims taking part after the Isha prayer, either in mosques or at home.
• Community iftars, often hosted by mosques and Islamic centres, are common and sometimes open to people of other faiths.
• Charitable giving (zakat and sadaqah) is a major focus, with donations supporting local and international causes.
• Recitation of the Qur’an, with many aiming to complete it over the course of the month.

One of the largest public events is Lakemba Ramadan Nights in Sydney, where food stalls and community celebrations run throughout the month and draw tens of thousands of visitors.

Sunrise and sunset times in your location

Who Is Exempt from Ramadan Fasting?

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is mandatory for adult Muslims who are healthy enough to fast. However, some people are not required to fast during Ramadan due to the risks it may pose to their health or well-being. Exemptions include:

• children
• the elderly
• menstruating, pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women
• travelers
• individuals who are ill
• anyone whose physical or mental health would be harmed by fasting

When Does Ramadan End?

Ramadan ends when the sighting or calculation of the very slim Waxing Crescent Moon that appears just after the New Moon, marking the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. This is celebrated with Eid al-Fitr, a joyful festival marked by special prayers, festive meals, and the exchange of gifts. While not a national holiday, it is widely celebrated by Muslims across Australia.

About Ramadan Start in Other Countries

Note: Regional customs or Moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. The Islamic calendar is lunar and the days begin at sunset, so there may be one-day error depending on when the Crescent Moon is first seen.

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.