First day of Passover in Australia

Passover (Pesach) in Australia lasts for eight days. Many Jewish people mark Passover with family members and close friends. Communal celebrations are held in some rural and regional areas.

Is First day of Passover a Public Holiday?

Although First day of Passover is not a public holiday, businesses and schools may be closed because it falls on the same date as Self Determination Day in 2023, which is a public holiday in Cocos and Keeling Islands.

What Do People Do?

Many Jewish people in Australia celebrate Passover at home with family and close friends. People are also encouraged to invite someone into their home who would otherwise not be able to take part in the celebrations. Some people choose to spend the whole Passover period in a Jewish resort or retreat at a hotel. Apart from Seders (celebratory meals), people can take part in educational activities and lectures on Jewish life and culture and sports.

In some rural areas, communal celebratory meals (Seders) are held. These give Jewish people living a long way from Jewish communities a chance to take a full part in the Passover celebrations. Extra Seders are held in Byron Bay, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Darwin and Fremantle.

Public Life

Passover is not a public holiday in Australia. However, some Jewish businesses and organizations may be closed or offer a reduced level of service over the Passover period.

Background and symbols

Passover is related to the Christian observances of Good Friday and Easter Day and the Islamic Day of Ashura. Read about other Jewish observances, such as Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day), Purim, Yom(Arbor Day)HaShoah, Lag(Arbor Day)B'Omer, Shavuot, Tisha(Arbor Day)B'Av, and Rosh(Arbor Day)Hashana.

Jewish Holidays Last Longer Outside of Israel

In the Jewish diaspora—Jewish communities outside of Israel—an extra day is usually added to religious observances, with the exception of Yom Kippur, which lasts only one day worldwide, and Rosh Hashana, which is celebrated over two days in both Israel and the diaspora.

This custom has its roots in ancient times when the beginning of the months in the Jewish calendar still relied on the sighting of the crescent Moon following a New Moon.

The beginning of a new month was determined by the Sanhedrin, the supreme court of ancient Israel in Jerusalem. Once the date was published, messengers were dispatched to spread the news among Jews living abroad. Since this process took some time, it was decreed that Jews outside of ancient Israel were to observe every holiday for 2 days to make sure that the rules and customs applicable to each holiday were observed on the proper date. This rule is still observed today.

About First day of Passover in Other Countries

Note: Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.

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.