Legislation introduced into the ACT Legislative Assembly would see public holidays officially declared in Canberra for years when Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day fall on either Saturday or Sunday.

Currently some workers don't receive public holiday loading when the days fall on weekends, as they are not designed as public holidays.

Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations Minister Simon Corbell said the changes would be welcomed by the ever-increasing seven-day workforce in the territory, who have until now not received holiday loadings over Christmas.

"Until now in the ACT, if Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day fell on either a Saturday or a Sunday, these days were not the official public holiday, instead, the public holiday was either the following Monday, or the following Tuesday if December 26 falls on a Sunday," Mr Corbell said.

"For workers who are required to work during the festive season – the consequences of these days not being declared public holidays can be significant."

Christmas Day will this year fall on a Thursday, meaning it is already designated as a public holiday.

In 2015, Boxing Day will fall on a Saturday and Monday December 28 will serve as a replacement public holiday.

New Year’s Day 2015 also falls on a Thursday.

Mr Corbell said workers over the Christmas period might previously not have been able to exercise their right to reasonably refuse to work on a public holiday.

He said that right was currently being enshrined in the Commonwealth’s National Employment Standards.

Workers who miss out on spending time with loved ones over the Christmas period will be properly compensated in the territory, Mr Corbell said.

"These amendments will restore public holiday parity to ACT and NSW businesses and workers during the festive season and give workers confidence that no matter which side of the border they work, or what days they are rostered on, their entitlements will be consistent," he said.

A spokesman for the opposition said Canberra Liberals MLAs would consider the reforms before the legislation returns to the Assembly later this year.

The ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the change would see the ACT with as many as 15 public holidays, while most other states and territories have 11 or 12.

"This change will not make it easier to do business in the territory," chief executive Andrew Blyth said. "Rather, it will dramatically increase the cost of running a business and providing service to the public."

Mr Blyth said business operators would have to pay penalty rates on additional days under the changes, which could make it too expensive for some to operate.

In a statement, he said the increase could not be justified by the need to observe dates of religious significance.

"It is simply an unwarranted additional cost imposed by the ACT government on business," he said.