New Year's Day Public Holiday
On the New Year's Day Public Holiday, Australians mark the start of the new calendar year.
About New Year's Day
New Year’s Day is the first day of the calendar year and is celebrated on 1 January each year. The day is marked by a public holiday in Australia.
The public holiday for New Year’s Day is movable, meaning that if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the following Monday becomes the public holiday. In most states of Australia, most shops are closed and public transport is reduced significantly.
Although the day of 31 December (New Year’s Eve) is not a public holiday, it is the day most Australians prepare for one of the biggest parties of the year. Each capital city, most towns and many homes put on celebrations to mark the end of one year and the first moments of the next.
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
In many places, fireworks at midnight on New Year’s Eve usher in the New Year. People sing, cheer, toast drinks and party into the small hours of the first day of the year. On New Year’s Day many towns and cities run events, though often people are either recovering from the night before, or beginning their “New Year’s Resolutions”.
Popular New Year's Resolutions may include;
- Starting a new diet
- Taking fitness classes, or achieving a fitness-related goal
- Travelling
- Reaching a savings goal
- Graduating from University
- Winning the lottery (and if not, there's always next year!)
What's your resolution?
SUPPORT OVER THE HOLIDAY PERIOD
| Service | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|
Emergency | 24-hour emergency assistance (police, fire, ambulance) |
|
| Police Assistance Line | Police service where there is no immediate danger | 131 444 |
ACT Access Mental Health | 24-hour mental health emergency access & support | 1800 629 354 or 6205 1065 |
| ANU Wellbeing and Support Line | Available 24 hours, 7 days a week including public holidays | Phone 1300 050 327 or text 0488 884 170 |
| Lifeline | 24-hour telephone counselling and crisis support | 13 11 14 |
| Kids Helpline | 24-hour crisis line for people aged 5-25 years | 1800 551 800
|
| Suicide Call Back Service | 24-hour crisis counselling and call back | 1300 659 467 |
| Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) | 24-hour domestic violence crisis assistance | 6280 0900 |
| 1800 RESPECT | 24-hour national sexual assault & domestic violence crisis counselling line | 1800 737 732 |
| QLife | Provides Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. | 1800 184 527 (3pm to midnight, Monday - Sunday). |
| Canberra Rape Crisis Centre | Provides free crisis lines, counselling, advocacy and community education for people who have experienced any form of sexual abuse. | (02) 6247 2525 0488 586 517 (SMS only) (7am - 11pm) |
| Mensline | 24-hour telephone counselling & support for men | 1300 78 99 78 |
| HealthDirect | 24-hour medical & health advice line staffed by registered nurses | 1800 022 222 or 6207 7777
|
| Poisons Information Line | 24-hour advice by medical professionals on acute or chronic poisoning | 131 126 |
