Diaries & Calendars

FAQs

What are the Different Diary Styles (Day-Per-Page, Week-Per-View, and Monthly) and Which Planning Needs Do They Suit?

However you like to plan out your work and personal schedules, there are a variety of diary styles to suit your preferences. The three key styles are as follows:

Day-per-page: If you’re someone who generally tends to have a lot going on most days (whether at work or at home), day-per-page diaries allow for the most comprehensive daily planning notes, often being able to break appointments down to 30-minute slots with plenty of room for essential notes per appointment. These are ideal for busy professionals or those who handle a lot of tasks each day.

• Week-per-view: As the name suggests, these diaries provide a view of your full week at a glance. These are a good option for general scheduling and best suited to those with moderate planning needs (e.g. you have a few work meetings per week but don’t need to go granular on the day-to-day).

• Monthly: Monthly diaries and planners are best suited to high-level planning. You’ll have a bit of space for each day of the month to note basic appointments (e.g. “Team meeting, 4 pm”) and have a broad overview for the month. These are best if your work doesn’t require regular meetings or if you otherwise keep most of your days open.

Should I Choose a Calendar-Year Diary (Jan–Dec) or a Financial-Year Diary (Jul–Jun), and What are the Benefits of Each?

Generally, we’d say that calendar-year diaries, which map out the year with the standard January to December setup, is best-suited for personal use or if the specifics of your job don’t need to account for the fiscal year cycle. For example, if you have a relatively day-to-day job where your tasks and responsibilities don’t change depending on the financial year, then a calendar-year diary is a good option.

However, for business professionals who need to plan and map out work based on the fiscal year, then a financial-year diary is best. This can include roles in accounting, education, executive roles, etc. 

Are There Eco-Friendly or Sustainable Diary Options for 2026, Such As Refillable Planners or Those Made with Recycled Paper?

There are several eco-friendly and more sustainable options available when it comes to diaries, from Office Choice’s own selection to brands we stock, such as Collins. These more environmentally conscious options include:

• Diaries with recycled/sustainably sourced paper: Diaries that use recycled paper or paper sourced from sustainable forestry practices (such as FSC-certified diaries) ensure reduced impact to the environment. These diaries, and others, may also use paper that can be easily recycled after use to ensure your used diaries don’t just end up in landfills.

• Refillable Planners: Refillable planners allow you to keep the planner itself and easily replace the inserts as needed - these are more eco-conscious and mean less paper waste.

• Other considerations: Also keep an eye out for diaries or planners that use ethically-sourced or manufactured fabrics for their covers. 

How Can I Select the Right Diary Size - A4, A5, Pocket, or Wall Planner - to Suit My Workspace and Lifestyle?

Here are some pointers to keep in mind to help you choose the right diary size for your organisational needs.

• A4: This is the typical size for desk use, providing plenty of space for making key notes and appointments. If you need the room for several daily entries or a more comprehensive layout, these are often a good size to go with.

• A5: Coming in at half the size of A4 diaries, A5 diaries offer a compact and easily portable diary solution for those who need to carry their planner around but still want a good amount of space for writing and appointment planning.

• Pocket: One of the smallest diaries you can own, these can easily be carried in a bag or purse and are most suitable for quick notes and appointment scheduling.

• Wall planners: These are a great option for visualising long-term goals and schedules, working well within shared workspaces or at home for family planning and appointments.

What Features Should I Look for in Appointment Diaries, like Hourly Time Blocks, Australian Public Holidays, or Themed Layouts?

Focus on the features you need the most, such as if the diary is for professional or personal use.

Diaries with hourly time blocks are particularly beneficial for busy professionals that manage multiple appointments in a single day. Depending on the diary, they could have hourly blocks for every hour of the day or they may focus on specific high-activity hours such as 8 am to 6 pm.

For Australian businesses, it’s important to be across all the major public holidays, nationwide, but also the smaller regional holidays that may differ between states, territories, and cities. Along with Australian public holidays, it can also be worth knowing about NZ public holidays, especially if your business engages with New Zealand clients or customers.

On the themed layout front, these can be a good option if you want devoted space for specific goals or plans. Some themed layouts can include things like fitness, wellness, and productivity layouts. And don’t forget about general goal setting, sections for budget tracking, or open sections where additional notes can be jotted down.

Are There Academic or Student-Specific Diaries for 2026, and How Do They Differ from Standard Office Planners?

Yes, academic and student-specific diaries are available for the 2025 and 2026 years, and they’re specifically designed around a school students’ schedule, including the academic year being broken down into their individual terms.

These allow for comprehensive semester planning and exam dates, and some academic diaries also include timetable layouts for day-to-day plans and space for notes related to homework and assignments.

By comparison, standard planners will mostly focus on business and personal planning with a greater emphasis on individual appointments and holidays.

Can Diaries and Calendars Include Extras like Stickers, Habit Trackers, or Undated Layouts to Help with Ongoing Planning?

Yes, they can. A range of diaries, wall planners, and calendars can include stickers or labels to help you better organise your diary or note significant achievements or upcoming events. Many wall planners work with whiteboard markers, as well, allowing you easily add or adjust information for upcoming or past engagements.

More and more nowadays, you’ll also find diaries that can include habit trackers, such as those focused on personal wellness and overall productivity. 

Undated calendar layouts are also available, which allow you to reuse the same calendar for as long as you want. These are often referred to as perpetual planners/calendars, and can come in yearly, monthly, weekly, and even day-to-day formats.