Australia Day Trading Hours
The 26 January public holiday – dates and shop trading rules by state
Australia Day Public Holidays and Shop Trading Rules by State
Public holiday dates are calculated automatically for 2027. Shop trading rules come from each state and territory’s retail trading laws and apply mainly to large, non-exempt shops; small shops, chemists, cafes and petrol stations are often exempt.
| State | Public holidays | Shop trading rules |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales (NSW) |
|
Not a restricted trading day. Most shops can open with public holiday hours. |
| Victoria (VIC) |
|
Not a restricted trading day. Most shops can open with public holiday hours. |
| Queensland (QLD) |
|
Not a closed day for non-exempt shops. Most shops can open with public holiday hours. |
| Western Australia (WA) |
|
In the Perth metropolitan area, general retail shops can open 11am to 5pm on public holidays. Regional general retail shops must close on all public holidays. |
| South Australia (SA) |
|
Public holiday trading rules apply, which differ between the Adelaide CBD, the metropolitan area and regional SA. Check SafeWork SA for the current arrangements. |
| Tasmania (TAS) |
|
Not a restricted day. Most shops can open with public holiday hours. |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) |
|
No legal shop trading restrictions. |
| Northern Territory (NT) |
|
No legal shop trading restrictions. |
This is general information, not legal advice. Retailers set their own hours within these rules, and hours can differ between stores in the same state. Always check with your local store.
Check Your Store’s Australia Day Hours
Each store page has a live “Is it open today?” check for your state, the next public holiday and the latest deals.
- ColesAustralia Day hours & deals →
- WoolworthsAustralia Day hours & deals →
- ALDIAustralia Day hours & deals →
- IGAAustralia Day hours & deals →
- KmartAustralia Day hours & deals →
- BIG WAustralia Day hours & deals →
- TargetAustralia Day hours & deals →
- BunningsAustralia Day hours & deals →
- JB Hi-FiAustralia Day hours & deals →
- OfficeworksAustralia Day hours & deals →
- Chemist WarehouseAustralia Day hours & deals →
- Dan Murphy'sAustralia Day hours & deals →
- BWSAustralia Day hours & deals →
- LiquorlandAustralia Day hours & deals →
Shopping on Australia Day
Australia Day on 26 January is a national public holiday, and when it falls on a weekend the holiday moves to the following Monday. Unlike Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day, Australia Day is not a restricted trading day in most states, so most supermarkets, shopping centres and hardware stores open. Hours are often shorter than on a normal day, and some stores in smaller towns may close.
What to expect
Major supermarkets usually open with public holiday hours, and shopping centres often run reduced trading times. In Western Australia, Perth shops can open 11am to 5pm on public holidays, while regional general retail shops must close. Chemists, petrol stations, cafes and restaurants are usually open everywhere.
Australia Day long weekend deals
The Australia Day long weekend falls in the middle of summer and just before the school year starts, so retailers often run sales on outdoor furniture, BBQs, pool gear, summer clothing and back to school supplies. Check the Bunnings, Kmart, BIG W and Officeworks pages for the latest deals, and the half price specials page for supermarket savings.
Tips for the Australia Day Holiday
- Check public holiday hours. Many stores open later or close earlier than usual.
- Shop early for BBQ supplies. Supermarkets are busy the day before the holiday.
- Watch back to school deals. Stationery, school shoes and laptops are often discounted in late January.
- Regional WA shoppers: plan ahead, as general retail shops close on public holidays.
Australia Day Trading Hours – Questions & Answers
Are Coles and Woolworths open on Australia Day?
In most states, yes. Australia Day is a public holiday but not a restricted trading day in most of the country, so most supermarkets open, sometimes with shorter public holiday hours. In regional Western Australia, general retail shops must close on public holidays.
Is there a public holiday when Australia Day falls on a weekend?
Yes. When 26 January falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the public holiday moves to the following Monday in every state and territory. The table on this page shows the date for each state automatically.
Are there sales on Australia Day?
Many retailers run Australia Day long weekend sales, especially on outdoor furniture, BBQs, summer clearance and back to school items.
Do trading hours change every year?
Yes. Public holiday dates move from year to year, and retailers confirm their exact hours closer to each holiday. The dates on this page are calculated automatically for each state, but always check the opening hours of your local store before you travel.