Ever felt like you just need a break but never quite get around to taking one? Well, it turns out, you’re not alone. Australians are heading into this summer sitting on one of the biggest holiday stockpiles the country has ever seen—more than 209 million days of unused annual leave. Yeah, you read that right. That’s a lot of time off people are just… holding onto. So, what does this mean for Aussie workers and the broader economy?
The Pandemic’s Lasting Impact
It’s hard to deny the effect that the pandemic had on our work habits. For many of us, lockdowns meant staying home, working remotely, or simply not working at all for a while. As the years passed, we all started building up a huge stash of annual leave days—days that were supposed to be used for, well, taking time off, but instead became just another thing we put on the backburner. But here’s the kicker: people are still sitting on that leave, and it’s adding up.
According to data from Roy Morgan, Aussies have more annual leave than ever before. The number peaked at 216 million days earlier in 2025 before edging back slightly to 209 million days by September, details Yahoo Finance. That’s a lot of holidays we’ve earned but haven’t used. The question is: why are we still holding onto it?
Why Are Australians Holding Onto So Much Leave?
One reason for this mountain of unused leave could be the changing nature of work. The rise of part-time and casual jobs, especially in the wake of the pandemic, means fewer full-time workers who traditionally accumulated more leave. Since 2024, the number of full-time jobs in Australia has dropped by over half a million, while part-time roles have surged. This shift has meant that, while some workers are sitting on a huge stash of leave, others are left with little to no paid time off at all.
In fact, around 5.2 million Australians, or about 35% of the workforce, have no annual leave whatsoever. Meanwhile, workers who do have leave banked are holding on to an average of 20 days, which equates to about four weeks of vacation time.
The Tourism Boom?
So, what happens to all this unused leave? Well, the good news is that it could be a boon for Australia’s tourism sector. With millions of workers having significant time off, travel companies, hotels, and tour operators could see a massive uptick in business. The timing couldn’t be better—this “leave stash” is coming right before the summer holidays, when Aussies traditionally head off to relax and recharge.
However, there’s a bit of a catch. While 1.5 million Australians are sitting on over five weeks of unused leave, many are still hesitant to take time off due to financial pressures. Whether it’s the rising cost of living or concerns about job security, not everyone is in a position to take a break, even if they have the time to do so.
What Does This Mean for You?
For the average Aussie worker, this massive leave pile represents an opportunity—an opportunity to take a real break, recharge, and enjoy some well-deserved time off. If you’re one of the lucky ones with leave to spare, now might be the perfect time to take a step back. As for employers, it might be time to think about how they can encourage their staff to use this accumulated leave.
Maybe it’s time for more “mental health days,” or offering extra incentives to help employees get the most out of their well-earned time off.
