Tips on maximising annual leave so to go overseas?

[LionKing]

Hello everyone.

I am interested to know how you can maximise your annual leave so you can do some long haul overseas travels.

My wife only has 20 days annual leave, same as other workers, yet she needs to take 6 days of required leave at the end of the year and she normally takes annual leave for those.

Meanwhile, I have a month of leave in July and 3 months from December - February, where because of lack of leave for her, I often leaving her working in Australia whilst I am being happy overseas and it sounds unfair.

I want to make a change to spend more time with her, but I want to remain overseas for longer - what do you think is a better idea to maximise the leave so we can be together overseas? Do you think getting no paid leave during the required leave period on Christmas would be a good idea?

Interested to know your thoughts.

 

[Flyerwin]

Time annual leave to take advantage of public holidays eg. Christmas, Boxing Day, New Years

As you suggested, ask for unpaid leave.

Purchase more annual leave if that's available.

See if you have long service leave available (or ADOs etc).

 

[DejaBrew]

One of many sites on the topic...

How to Maximise Your Annual Leave in 2026 & Where to Travel?

Maximise your annual leave in 2026! Discover how to combine Australian public holidays with leave for unforgettable trips.

avgtravels.com

My wife only has 20 days annual leave, same as other workers, yet she needs to take 6 days of required leave at the end of the year and she normally takes annual leave for those.

Might be worth her asking her employer whether they would agree to let her work those 6 days at EOY with the understanding that she will be taking those 6 days elsewhere as part of planned leave? My work has a mandatory shutdown during the Christmas/New Year period, but offers this sort of arrangement with manager approval.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Or take leave on half pay, if available. Keeps things like annual leave accruing, and you still get an income each fortnight And of course your 20 days turns into 40!

 

[kookaburra75]

Purchase more annual leave if that's available.

I purchase two weeks of extra leave each year, to spend more time on holidays with my wife who has retired. As it comes out of pre-tax dollars, the impact is minimal.

Watch out for unpaid leave, as you don't accrue super or leave entitlements during that time.

 

[Horatio]

Or take leave on half pay, if available. Keeps things like annual leave accruing, and you still get an income each fortnight And of course your 20 days turns into 40!

Agree totally.. If half pay leave is availble through an enterprise agreement or individual contact (or failing those, the boss's goodwill) then this is a great option. As @MEL_Traveller notes correctly, you'll still accrue other entitlements - and budgeting while on the road is easier given the consitent payments.

 

[Beano]

Time annual leave to take advantage of public holidays eg. Christmas, Boxing Day, New Years

As you suggested, ask for unpaid leave.

Purchase more annual leave if that's available.

See if you have long service leave available (or ADOs etc).

Been there-done that. Combined public holiday and unpaid leave and spent two months (32 days) in Europe.

 

[Aeryn]

Combining with public holidays helps a little but also has you travelling during peak periods which costs you in other ways.

If her employer offers the ability to purchase additional annual this is a great option, because they usually spread the payment over several months (if not the whole year); so if you buy 20 days (1 month) then you only earn 11 months pay but this is paid out over 12 months, so you have predictable income every month, keep accruing sick leave, annual leave and LSL.

The other option if she is able to work remotely is getting employer permission to work from overseas for a few weeks a year. This may mean waking up at odd hours whilst on holiday to be on calls with Australia; but should still allow for time each day to do holiday things as most people only need to be on deck/contactable for 8 hours each work day.

That said some employers wont allow WFO (work from overseas) due to insurance (workers comp) and payroll tax implications. But cant hurt to ask.

 

[DejaBrew]

The other option f she is able to work remotely is getting employer permission to work from overseas for a few weeks a year. This may mean waking up at odd hours whilst on holiday to be on calls with Australia; but should still allow for time each day to do holiday things as most people only need to be on lock for 8 hours.

This is a very good option if available.

My employer offers this and I took advantage of it for the first time this year so as to attend the Narita Lounge Crawl. Was a good opportunity to meet face to face with my counterparts in Tokyo so in reality, it worked for me + my employer.

 

[Beano]

Claiming WFH on a holiday is fraught with problems. HID may not see it your way.

 

[DejaBrew]

Claiming WFH on a holiday is fraught with problems. HID may not see it your way.

Take your point, but I think it the extent of problems largely depend on the employer's "work from anywhere" policy (assuming that exists), the employee's job role and its suitability to remote work, and the level of trust/alignment between manager and employee. No reason this can't work if everything lines up, but may require a little flexibility from both employee and employer to mitigate any issues.

 

[Beano]

Take your point, but I think it the extent of problems largely depend on the employer's "work from anywhere" policy (assuming that exists), the employee's job role and its suitability to remote work, and the level of trust/alignment between manager and employee. No reason this can't work if everything lines up, but may require a little flexibility from both employee and employer to mitigate any Correct , but I was thinking more on those accompanying you (one).

Correct, but I was thinking iof those accompanying you. "You're not working" working was a recent refrain!

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Setup a small business and become self-employed

Get a public service government job and take long leave for 'stress' or 'gender transition'

 

[DejaBrew]

Correct, but I was thinking iof those accompanying you. "You're not working" working was a recent refrain!

Yeah, that's true. Certainly requires self-discipline from the employee and "respect of boundaries" (for want of better phrasing) from the employee's travelling companions.

 

[oz_mark]

Combining with public holidays helps a little but also has you travelling during peak periods which costs you in other ways.

I certainly find this. You basically end up travelling easter or christmas holidays, which align with school holidays, and most places are busy as