Eid al-Adha 2026 Australia: Date, Prayer Locations and Qurbani Services
Eid al-Adha 2026 in Australia is expected to fall on Wednesday, 27 May, subject to moon sighting. This guide covers the confirmed Day of Arafah, Eid prayer venues, Qurbani providers serving Australian Muslims, and what to plan before the day.
Date subject to moon sighting
Wed 27 May
Tue 26 May
25 to 29 May
When is Eid al-Adha 2026 in Australia?
Eid al-Adha 2026 in Australia is expected to fall on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, corresponding to the 10th of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH. The day before, Tuesday 26 May, is the Day of Arafah, the most important day of the Hajj pilgrimage. Both dates are based on astronomical calculation and the moon sighting that confirms the start of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
The Australian date is confirmed each year by the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) and Moonsighting Australia, which represents over 150 imams, mosques and Islamic centres. Because the Australian sighting can differ from the Saudi Arabian sighting by a day, your local mosque is the most reliable source for the final date. Most peak bodies issue statements in the week leading up to Eid.
What Day is the Day of Arafah in 2026?
The Day of Arafah 2026 is expected to fall on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH. It is the day pilgrims at Hajj stand on the Plain of Arafah in prayer and supplication, and it is widely regarded as the greatest day of the Hajj season. Australian Muslims who are not on Hajj commonly fast voluntarily on the Day of Arafah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said this fast expiates the sins of the previous year and the year to come.
In Australia, fasting begins at Fajr and ends at sunset. Imsak and Maghrib times shift by city; check the prayer times for your location on Eid eve. The fast on Arafah is voluntary, not obligatory, so missing it does not invalidate Eid. Travellers, the unwell and those for whom fasting is medically inadvisable are excused.
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Where Can I Attend Eid al-Adha Prayer in Australia?
Eid prayer (Salat al-Eid) is held the morning of Eid al-Adha across every Australian capital and most regional cities with a Muslim community. Venues include mosques, community halls, parks, sports grounds and exhibition centres, depending on the expected congregation size. Larger mosques in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra often hold multiple sessions to accommodate the volume.
Eid prayer time is typically 15 to 45 minutes after sunrise on the day. Most mosques announce their exact start time, parking and access details in the week before Eid. Bring a prayer mat, arrive early, and check whether your venue offers separate entrances for women and families.
What is Qurbani and How Do I Arrange It in 2026?
Qurbani is the ritual sacrifice performed during Eid al-Adha to commemorate the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah. The meat is traditionally divided into three portions: one for the family performing the Qurbani, one for relatives and friends, and one for those in need. Qurbani is obligatory on Muslims who meet the wealth threshold of nisab.
Australian Muslims have two practical options. The first is to donate through a registered charity that performs the sacrifice overseas, usually in countries facing food insecurity, with the meat distributed locally to those in need. This is the most common path because Australian abattoir slots are limited and overseas costs are lower. The second option is to arrange a local Qurbani through a licensed halal abattoir; bookings open weeks before Eid and tend to fill quickly.
Qurbani may be performed on any of the four Eid days: 10, 11, 12 or 13 Dhul Hijjah, ending at sunset on the 13th. International charities typically allow you to book from now until just before Eid; local abattoirs usually require booking by mid-May.
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Which Australian Charities Offer Qurbani Services?
Several Australian-registered Muslim charities run Qurbani programs, allowing donors to fulfil their obligation while supporting communities in need overseas. The following providers are all registered Australian organisations with established Qurbani programs. Compare their country options, share pricing and reporting before booking.
Muslim Aid Australia (MAA International)
Trading name of MAA International Ltd. Eight Qurban tiers in 2026, from $89 "Where Most Needed" through to $449 Emergency Zones for orphans, widows and elderly.
Islamic Relief Australia
ACFID-member charity. Four 2026 Qurban groups ($110–$350) across 30+ countries plus $25 meat packs distributed in Gaza.
Hasene Australia
Humanitarian aid organisation with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Wollongong and Adelaide. Offers Qurban packages alongside other Eid programs.
IISNA WorldAid
DGR-endorsed Australian Muslim charity. Sheep shares to Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Somalia, Ethiopia and West Africa — donations 100% tax deductible.
JannahPath
Community Qurban campaign covering Yemen, Syria, Uganda, Bangladesh and Gaza, with a Gaza meat-distribution option priced per kilo.
Hume Islamic Youth Centre (HIYC)
Coolaroo-based community Qurban programme in partnership with Basmah Khair Foundation, delivering to Gaza, Sudan and Tanzania from AUD $85.
Kampung Utara Melbourne (KUM)
Community-driven 1447 / 2026 Qurban campaign with AMAL, Madina Halal Meats and Qurban Foundation. Tiered share pricing across eight regions.
Islamic Society of Victoria (ISV)
Preston-based mosque organisation running a 1447 / 2026 Udhiyah programme at AUD $200 per share, with distribution stated as Various Countries. Bank transfer, online or in person.
ALF Relief Fund (Australia Light Foundation)
Africa & Asia Qurban Program 2026 at AUD $170 per Qurban — tax deductible. Distribution photos on poster reference Ethiopia and Somalia. Last order day 28 May 2026.
Meat On — Hassle Free Qurbani
Australian-distribution Qurban project in its 4th year, with meat distributed locally via partner ASRC Footscray (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre). Goat $280, Lamb $280, Cow share $320.
Is Eid al-Adha a Public Holiday in Australia?
Eid al-Adha is not a federal public holiday in mainland Australia. It is recognised as a public holiday on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands under the name Hari Raya Haji, where it follows the Malaysian observance pattern. Many Australian schools and workplaces accommodate Muslim staff and students who request leave for Eid prayer and family gatherings; the National Employment Standards allow employees to request alternative days off where reasonable.
Plan ahead by giving your employer or school written notice, ideally a week before Eid. The Fair Work Ombudsman has guidance on religious observance leave; most employers will grant a single annual leave or unpaid day. Self-employed Australians and small business owners often close for Eid morning and reopen by midday.
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