Easter Trading Hours in Australia
Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday – public holidays and shop rules by state
Easter 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) |
|
Good Friday and Easter Sunday are restricted trading days: non-exempt shops must close. Easter Saturday and Easter Monday are not restricted. |
| Victoria (VIC) |
|
Good Friday is a restricted trading day: only exempt shops can open, such as chemists, petrol stations, cafes and shops with 20 or fewer staff. Easter Sunday is not restricted. |
| Queensland (QLD) |
|
Non-exempt shops must close on Good Friday. Easter Sunday is a public holiday but not a closed day for non-exempt shops. |
| Western Australia (WA) |
|
In the Perth metropolitan area, general retail shops must close on Good Friday 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 Good Friday. On Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, shops in the Adelaide CBD can generally open 11am to 5pm, while non-exempt metropolitan shops stay closed; hardware and furniture stores have separate hours. Most of regional SA is deregulated. |
| Tasmania (TAS) |
|
Most larger shops close on Good Friday; small and exempt shops may open. Other Easter days follow normal public holiday trading. |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) |
|
No legal shop trading restrictions. Many large retailers still choose to close on Good Friday. |
| Northern Territory (NT) |
|
No legal shop trading restrictions. Many large retailers still choose to close on Good Friday. |
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 Easter Hours
Each store page has a live “Is it open today?” check for your state, the next public holiday and the latest deals.
- ColesEaster hours & deals →
- WoolworthsEaster hours & deals →
- ALDIEaster hours & deals →
- IGAEaster hours & deals →
- KmartEaster hours & deals →
- BIG WEaster hours & deals →
- TargetEaster hours & deals →
- BunningsEaster hours & deals →
- JB Hi-FiEaster hours & deals →
- OfficeworksEaster hours & deals →
- Chemist WarehouseEaster hours & deals →
- Dan Murphy'sEaster hours & deals →
- BWSEaster hours & deals →
- LiquorlandEaster hours & deals →
Shopping Over the Easter Long Weekend
The Easter long weekend runs from Good Friday to Easter Monday, and it is one of the few times of the year when many large Australian stores close their doors. Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays in every state, Easter Saturday is a public holiday in most states, and Easter Sunday is a public holiday in most states too. Each state applies its own retail trading laws, so the rules for supermarkets and department stores can be quite different from one side of the country to the other.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the day most likely to catch shoppers out. In most states large non-exempt shops must close, so the major supermarkets, department stores and hardware chains are usually shut. Chemists, petrol stations, cafes, restaurants and some small convenience stores can often open. Plan your grocery shop for Thursday if you can.
Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Most large stores reopen on Easter Saturday, which is usually a very busy shopping day. Easter Sunday rules vary the most: it is a restricted trading day in New South Wales and metropolitan Adelaide, but many stores open in Victoria and Queensland. On Easter Monday, many shops open with public holiday hours.
Easter deals
Supermarkets discount hot cross buns, chocolate eggs and entertaining favourites in the lead-up to Easter, and after Easter, leftover chocolate is often heavily marked down. Check the Coles, Woolworths and ALDI pages for the latest specials, and see the half price specials page for this week’s biggest supermarket discounts.
Tips for the Easter Long Weekend
- Shop before Good Friday. Thursday is usually the last chance to visit the major supermarkets before the long weekend closures.
- Check Easter Sunday rules in your state. Some stores open in one state but stay closed in another.
- Look for exempt shops. Chemists, service stations and small convenience stores can help if you run out of something.
- Watch for post-Easter markdowns. Chocolate and seasonal products are often reduced after the weekend.
Easter Trading Hours in Australia – Questions & Answers
Are Coles and Woolworths open on Good Friday?
In most of Australia, large supermarkets are closed on Good Friday, and in several states the law requires large shops to close. Some small, independent supermarkets and convenience stores may open.
Are shops open on Easter Sunday?
It depends on the state. Easter Sunday is a restricted trading day in NSW, and metropolitan shops in South Australia generally stay closed, while in Victoria and Queensland it is not a closed day for shops. Check your local store before you go.
Are shops open on Easter Saturday and Easter Monday?
Most large stores open on Easter Saturday, often with normal hours. Easter Monday is a public holiday, and many shops open with public holiday hours, except where state rules require them to close, such as regional WA and parts of South Australia.
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.