Santa’s Little Helpers

While many of us spend Christmas morning unwrapping gifts or carving into a roast lunch, there’s a group of dedicated Aussies who show up to work instead. Whether it’s keeping hospitals running, feeding the vulnerable, or serving stranded travellers, these workers embody the true spirit of giving.

For them, working Christmas Day means more than penalty rates—it’s about compassion, contribution, and creating community during a time that can be joyful for some and isolating for others. Here’s how a few of Australia’s real-life holiday heroes are spending 25 December.

Healthcare on the Holidays

Nurses and emergency staff are among the many frontline professionals who rarely get public holidays off. Jess Lovel, a registered nurse at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital, shared her experience of spending Christmas Day away from family to care for patients.

“I thought initially that working Christmas Day would be particularly hard. Being far from family, it felt lonely waking up that morning. But many of my colleagues were in the same boat—and we made the best of it together.”

Jess and her fellow nurses decorated the ward, brought in home-baked treats, and played carols to lift the mood for patients and staff alike.

“To know that I made someone smile or laugh—especially someone who was very ill or in their final days—was the best gift I could receive.”

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Bringing Joy to Those in Need

For some, Christmas is less about family dinners and more about creating joy for those who might otherwise go without. Erica Myers-Davis, General Manager of Fundraising and Community Relations at Prahran Mission in Melbourne, helps run a Christmas Day lunch for over 400 people.

Alongside 50 volunteers, Erica coordinates everything from food to gift-giving. It’s a massive undertaking—but one she finds deeply rewarding.

“The perks are seeing joy on faces that often don’t have much to celebrate. Giving kids gifts they wouldn’t otherwise receive—it’s worth the early start and long day.”

Erica typically begins at 7am and doesn’t clock off until after 6pm, often too tired to celebrate with her own family. But the impact she helps deliver is unforgettable for the guests she serves.

Want to give back in a meaningful way? Check out community services and social work courses.

Serving Holidaymakers in Regional Australia

Rachel Power and her husband run Waterfalls Café and Gallery in Tasmania’s Mt Field National Park. In 2024, they chose to open their café for a few hours on Christmas Day—despite being over an hour from the nearest supermarket. For travellers, it was a lifeline. For Rachel, it was an act of hospitality and practicality.

“We didn’t want to ask our staff to work Christmas, so we did it ourselves. We cooked Christmas dinner in the café kitchen while serving guests. It was a hectic but heartwarming day.”

Rachel and her husband balanced service with family time, involving their three kids in the day’s activities. “They enjoyed playing with their new toys—and even pitched in to help,” she says.

Interested in combining tourism, small business and hospitality? Explore hospitality management and tourism courses to turn your passion into a career.

Holiday Shifts That Make a Difference

From hospitals and community kitchens to remote cafés and transport hubs, working on Christmas is a reality for thousands of Australians. But for many, it’s also a chance to connect, care, and give meaning to the holiday beyond presents and parties.

If you’re drawn to careers that serve people—even when the rest of the world is taking a break—consider roles in healthcare, emergency services, hospitality, or social work. These professions may not stop for Christmas, but they offer rewards that last well beyond the season.