When is Father’s Day in Australia 2024?

Angus Kidman's headshot

By

Angus Kidman

Updated

Father's Day is the first Sunday in September in Australia, but that's not the same everywhere else. Why is it different?

Australia is one of four countries where Father's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in September (1 September in 2024). The others are New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

The most common choice worldwide is the third Sunday in June, a tradition deriving from the US and now followed in more than 70 countries. So why do Pacific countries choose a different date?

The broad tradition appears to date back to the mid-1930s, as a newspaper report from Newcastle in 1936 treats it as an entirely new event:

A new day for the Calendar is 'Fathers' Day,' September 6. Mothers' Day has become very popular, and maybe 'Fathers' Day' will.

The likely explanation? Having encountered news reports about Father's Day from the US, Australians decided to adopt it. However, rather than waiting a year to celebrate, it was placed later in the calendar, and in a similar season.

shutterstock_629490185 - when is fathers day 738

Mother's Day has similar global variations, but Australia lines up with the majority of countries by celebrating it on the second Sunday in May. And that gives us one other potential reason for our different date down under: Mother's Day in May followed by Father's Day in June makes for an expensive couple of months. Being able to wait until September means you potentially have more funds to splurge on Dad.

With Father's Day just around the corner, make sure you're ready for Dad's big day.

Best sites to shop Father's Day gifts

Top Father's Day gift ideas

Edit top picks

See the full list of handpicked gifts below.

Edit top picks
$50

LSKD Daily Shorts

  • Branded Elastic Waistband with External Drawcord
  • Stretch Cotton
  • Offers Afterpay
  • Offers Zip Pay
  • Accepts Apple Pay
  • Accepts PayPal
$189

Personalised Cooler

  • 13 Litre capacity
  • Limited edition colours
  • Adjustable handle and fully insulated
  • Free shipping over $100
  • Offers Afterpay
  • Accepts Apple Pay
  • Accepts PayPal
$1,699.99 $961.99

200Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery

  • Compatible with Renogy's solar panels, solar charge controllers and inverters
  • Low-temp cut-off for charging
  • With 5-year limited warranty
  • Free shipping available
  • Offers Afterpay
  • Accepts PayPal
$1,949 $974.50

Emma Luxe Mattress

  • Luxurious and tailored sleep experience
  • Helps achieve longer deep sleep
  • Best Cooling Mattress of 2024
  • 100-day return policy
  • Offers Klarna
  • Offers Zip Pay
$129

Scotch on the Rocks

  • 700ml bottle Chivas Regal Premium Scotch Whiskey
  • 10 Lindt Balls and 10 Belgian Chocolate Stars
  • Comes with white wine bucket, gift wrap and card
  • Free shipping over $120
  • Offers Afterpay
  • Offers Zip Pay
  • Accepts PayPal
$299.99

NASA Space Shuttle Discovery

  • Made with high-quality materials
  • 2,354 pieces with Hubble Space telescope
  • opening payload bay, retractable landing gear, opening cockpit and more
  • Free shipping over $149
  • Accepts Apple Pay
All prices are subject to change without prior notice.

Father's Day deals and coupons

Get up to 75% off your present with these Father's Day promo codes and deals. Buy him a beer or two with the cash you save.