It’s a holiday in the west

It’s a labour day holiday in Western Australia this weekend. The holiday is tied to the broader labour movement and the fight for workers’ rights, particularly the campaign for an eight-hour workday. It’s a public holiday celebrated across the country, though its date varies by state and territory, reflecting local historical developments.

Here’s a rundown of its origins and evolution:

Labour Day in Australia traces back to the mid-19th century when workers, especially in the building and manufacturing trades, began advocating for better working conditions. At the time, 12- to 14-hour workdays were common, leaving little time for rest or family life.

The push for an eight-hour day—eight hours work, eight hours rest, and eight hours recreation—became a rallying cry.
• 1855–1856: A Key Victory: The movement gained traction in Victoria when stonemasons working on projects like the University of Melbourne downed tools in April 1856. On April 21, they marched to Parliament House and won the right to an eight-hour workday without a pay cut—a world-first achievement. This success inspired similar efforts elsewhere in Australia and globally. In New South Wales, a similar victory came in 1855 when stonemasons on the Holy Trinity Church in Parramatta secured the eight-hour day.
• Spread Across Colonies: The eight-hour day gradually spread to other trades and colonies, though it wasn’t universally adopted until much later. Celebrations of these wins began to take shape as annual events, laying the groundwork for Labour Day.

Labour Day emerged as a formal public holiday to commemorate these struggles and honour workers’ contributions. Its establishment varied by region:

• Victoria: The eight-hour day was celebrated with processions and picnics from the 1850s onward. It was officially recognized as “Eight Hours Day” and later became Labour Day, now observed on the second Monday in March.
• New South Wales: Labour Day, also linked to the eight-hour movement, was gazetted as a public holiday in 1887 and is now celebrated on the first Monday in October.
• Queensland: The first Labour Day march occurred in Brisbane on March 16, 1891, organized by striking shearers during the Great Shearers’ Strike. It’s now held on the first Monday in May.
• South Australia: Labour Day, tied to the eight-hour campaign, is celebrated on the first Monday in October, often coinciding with NSW.
• Western Australia: Originally called “Eight Hours Day,” it was renamed Labour Day and is observed on the first Monday in March.
• Tasmania: Known as Eight Hours Day, it’s celebrated on the second Monday in March, reflecting its roots in the labour movement.
• Northern Territory: Called May Day, it’s observed on the first Monday in May, emphasizing workers’ rights.
• Australian Capital Territory: Labour Day aligns with NSW and is held on the first Monday in October.

As of March 2, 2025, Labour Day remains a public holiday across Australia, though its prominence varies. In 2025, for example:

•   Victoria and Tasmania will celebrate on March 10 (second Monday).
•   Western Australia on March 3 (first Monday).
•   NSW, SA, and ACT on October 6 (first Monday).
•   Queensland and NT on May 5 (first Monday).

It’s a day off for most, but also a reminder of the labour movement’s legacy in securing fair work conditions that Australians enjoy today.