Christmas Trading Hours in Australia
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year – public holidays and shop rules by state
Christmas Public Holidays and Shop Trading Rules by State
Public holiday dates are calculated automatically for 2026. 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) |
|
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are restricted trading days. Non-exempt shops must close on Christmas Day. On Boxing Day shops may trade if staff freely choose to work, so many large stores open. If Christmas Day falls on a weekend, the Monday holiday is not a restricted day. |
| Victoria (VIC) |
|
Christmas Day is a restricted trading day: only exempt shops can open, such as chemists, petrol stations, cafes and shops with 20 or fewer staff. Boxing Day is not restricted. |
| Queensland (QLD) |
|
Non-exempt shops must close on Christmas Day. Boxing Day is a public holiday but not a closed day for non-exempt shops. Christmas Eve is a part-day public holiday from 6pm. |
| Western Australia (WA) |
|
In the Perth metropolitan area, general retail shops must close on Christmas Day and can open 11am to 5pm on other public holidays. Regional general retail shops must close on all public holidays. |
| South Australia (SA) |
|
Shops close on Christmas Day. In the Adelaide CBD and metropolitan area, shops can generally trade 9am to 5pm on Boxing Day (Proclamation Day), but non-exempt supermarkets must stay closed. Most of regional SA is deregulated. |
| Tasmania (TAS) |
|
Most larger shops close on Christmas Day; small and exempt shops may open. Other days of the holiday period follow normal public holiday trading. |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) |
|
No legal shop trading restrictions. Most large retailers still choose to close on Christmas Day. |
| Northern Territory (NT) |
|
No legal shop trading restrictions. Most large retailers still choose to close on Christmas Day. |
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 Christmas Hours
Each store page has a live “Is it open today?” check for your state, the next public holiday and the latest deals.
- ColesChristmas hours & deals →
- WoolworthsChristmas hours & deals →
- ALDIChristmas hours & deals →
- IGAChristmas hours & deals →
- KmartChristmas hours & deals →
- BIG WChristmas hours & deals →
- TargetChristmas hours & deals →
- BunningsChristmas hours & deals →
- JB Hi-FiChristmas hours & deals →
- OfficeworksChristmas hours & deals →
- Chemist WarehouseChristmas hours & deals →
- Dan Murphy'sChristmas hours & deals →
- BWSChristmas hours & deals →
- LiquorlandChristmas hours & deals →
Shopping Over Christmas and New Year in Australia
The Christmas period is the busiest shopping time of the year in Australia, and it is also the time when trading hours change the most. Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are public holidays in every state and territory, and Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are part-day public holidays in some states. Each state also has its own retail trading laws, so a store that opens on Boxing Day in Melbourne may follow different rules in Adelaide or regional Western Australia.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is the one day when almost all large retailers are closed. In New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, trading laws require large non-exempt shops to close, and in the ACT and Northern Territory most major chains close by choice. Chemists, petrol stations, cafes, restaurants and some small convenience stores may still open, so if you need something urgently, look for an exempt shop near you.
Boxing Day sales
Boxing Day is one of the biggest sale days on the Australian calendar, with department stores, electronics retailers and fashion brands running major clearance events. Many stores open early, and online sales often start on Christmas Day or earlier. Supermarket hours on Boxing Day vary by state, so check before you go. See our Myer, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman pages for the latest Boxing Day deals.
Christmas Eve and New Year
Supermarkets often run extended hours in the week before Christmas and may close earlier on Christmas Eve. New Year’s Day is a public holiday everywhere, and many stores open with reduced hours. Plan your grocery shop around the Coles and Woolworths catalogues, which keep their usual Wednesday-to-Tuesday cycle through the holidays.
Tips for Christmas Shopping
- Shop early in the week. Supermarkets are busiest in the last two days before Christmas, and popular items can sell out.
- Check your local store. Hours can differ between stores in the same chain, especially in shopping centres.
- Use click and collect. Ordering online and collecting in store saves time when stores are crowded.
- Watch the Boxing Day deals. Electronics, appliances, fashion and homewares often have their lowest prices of the year.
Christmas Trading Hours in Australia – Questions & Answers
Are Coles and Woolworths open on Christmas Day?
In most of Australia, large supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths and ALDI are closed on Christmas Day, and in several states the law requires large shops to close. Some small, independently owned supermarkets, convenience stores and service stations may open.
Are shops open on Boxing Day?
In most states many shops open on Boxing Day, which is one of the biggest sale days of the year. Rules vary: in NSW staff must freely choose to work, in regional WA general retail shops close on all public holidays, and in metropolitan South Australia non-exempt supermarkets stay closed on Boxing Day.
Do supermarkets close early on Christmas Eve?
Many supermarkets close earlier than usual on Christmas Eve, while some extend their hours in the days before Christmas. Christmas Eve is also a part-day public holiday in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory. Check your local store for exact hours.
Are shops open on New Year's Day?
New Year's Day is a public holiday in every state. Many supermarkets and shopping centres open with public holiday hours, but some stores close or open later, and regional WA general retail shops must close.
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.