Working here
2026 end of year closedown dates
The University will be closed from Monday 21 December 2026 to Friday 8 January 2027 inclusive.
The University is providing a total of six (6) University holidays. An additional six (6) days will need to be taken as directed annual leave alongside three (3) public holidays. The calendar of dates is below.
Staff are encouraged to book their end of year closedown leave in MyHR no later than 31 October 2026. MyHR will automatically assign and account for the nominated University Holiday and Public Holiday dates.
HR Services has prepared Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to support you in making your bookings. If you have any further questions, please contact your HR Advisor via ServiceNow.
Frequently asked questions
If you do not have sufficient annual leave to cover the closedown period, you may apply to:
- take annual leave in advance (Request this via the Get HR advice or help ServiceNow form)
- use Long Service Leave, if available (apply in HRonline); or
- take unpaid leave (complete the Unpaid leave application ServiceNow form)
The use of Life Leave, Personal/Carers Leave, or Flextime during the closedown period is not permitted.
Only time-critical research and essential operational work will be approved during the closedown period.
College and Division leaders will work with their leadership teams to determine resourcing requirements over this period. If you believe your role may be required to work during the closedown period, no action is required at this stage. Human Resource Services will work directly with College and Division leaders to coordinate the approval process.
Staff who are approved to work during the closedown period will not be required to submit annual leave requests for the approved working days.
Further information regarding the exemption approval process will be provided to College and Division leaders in September.
End of year closedown leave bookings which are not entered and approved in MyHR will be automatically processed by HR Services.
Staff who wish to take extra leave over the December – January period are encouraged to discuss their plans with their supervisor. All leave bookings must be booked and approved in advance of the leave period commencing.
Staff new to the University should be made aware of our closedown period and the requirement to take leave. Any new staff joining the University in 2027 should commence on or after Monday 11th January 2027, when the University re-opens.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.