Trading Hours ANZAC Day 2025 — State by State

ANZAC Day remains one of the most important dates in Australia’s national calendar. Every year on 25 April, communities across the country gather to remember and honour the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand defence personnel. Dawn services, marches, two-up games, RSL memorials and local commemorations shape the morning. At the same time, trading hours change significantly for retailers, supermarkets, hospitality operators and consumers. In 2025, ANZAC Day falls on Friday, 25 April, making the public holiday especially important for businesses planning a long-weekend trading schedule.

Some states allow shops to trade freely, while others enforce strict morning closures, afternoon opening windows or full-day restrictions. Understanding which shops are exempt, which remain closed, when supermarkets open and what time alcohol can be purchased helps consumers avoid last-minute confusion. For businesses, clear planning around staffing consent, penalty rates and compliance with local trading laws is essential.

Why Do ANZAC Day Trading Laws Exist?

ANZAC Day is one of only three major national public holidays with widespread shop trading restrictions, alongside Christmas Day and Good Friday. Governments believe these closures protect the significance of community remembrance rather than allowing commercial pressures to dominate the morning. Trading restrictions ensure workers are not required to miss dawn services and allow Australians to gather collectively before retail activity resumes.

Definition of Exempt and Non-Exempt Shops

Exempt shops are permitted to trade on ANZAC Day without major restrictions. These typically include pharmacies, service stations, cafés, restaurants, takeaway outlets, bottle shops, fruit and vegetable shops, butchers, florists, convenience stores and small independent retailers. Non-exempt shops include supermarkets, large hardware stores, department stores, big-box retailers and shopping centre anchor tenants. Entertainment venues, cinemas and auction houses may operate based on state rules, typically after midday or 1 pm.

National ANZAC Day 2025 Trading Summary Table

This table gives a complete national overview of ANZAC Day trading conditions for 2025.

Legislation That Controls ANZAC Day Trading

Different states use different retail laws to define what can open and when. These include:

Retail Trading Act 2008 and Retail Trading Amendment (ANZAC Day Trading Hours) Act 2024 in NSW
Shop Trading Reform Act 1996 in Victoria
Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 in Queensland
Shop Trading Hour Act 1977 in South Australia
Shop Trading Hours Act 1984 in Tasmania
Retail Trading Hours Act 1987 in Western Australia

The most significant recent change is in New South Wales, where parliament removed the long-standing 1 pm reopening window and now requires non-exempt shops to remain closed for the entire day from 2025.

Major Supermarkets, Bunnings and Big Retail Chains on ANZAC Day

Consumers frequently ask whether big stores will open on ANZAC Day. Supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA follow state rules. In NSW, major supermarket chains are closed for the entire day. In Victoria, they typically open after 1 pm. In Tasmania, after 12:30 pm. In Queensland and South Australia, they reopen in the afternoon under relevant trading windows.

Big-box stores such as Bunnings, Kmart, Kogan, IKEA, Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi also follow non-exempt conditions. In regulated states, they generally remain closed in the morning and open in the afternoon, except in NSW where they remain closed all day.

Shopping centres operate based on exempt and non-exempt tenancy. Small independent retailers inside large centres may open if they meet staff count rules, while anchor tenants remain closed until permitted hours. This is common in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania.

Alcohol Restrictions and Bottle Shop Trading

Alcohol service and liquor retail follow special conditions. In many regulated states, alcohol cannot be sold before midday or 1 pm except at licensed venues hosting ANZAC morning commemorative events. Bottle shops are usually exempt in Tasmania and Victoria, but licensing laws still control purchase times. RSL clubs often enjoy unique permissions for morning service due to their ceremonial role.

States enforce different morning bans on takeaway alcohol to prevent commercial activity during dawn services. Hospitality remains open but must continue to follow RSA requirements and local licensing laws.

Staff Rights, Penalty Rates and Consent Requirements

ANZAC Day is a public holiday nationwide, so staff receive public holiday rates. In New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland, employers cannot require staff to work without consent. Staff must provide written agreement to work ANZAC Day hours. Employees are protected from penalty or discrimination if they decline. This ensures workers are not forced to miss dawn services or family remembrance.

Australian Retailers Association Push for Deregulation

The Australian Retailers Association continues to advocate for full deregulation of trading hours. The ARA argues that online commerce has changed consumer expectations, and 24-hour global digital shopping places traditional retail rules under pressure. According to the association, deregulation would support local shops, especially in regional areas and tourism-based economies. It would also allow small retailers to match local demand without depending on rigid opening windows.

Opponents say ANZAC Day is a cultural moment that should remain protected. Worker representative groups and veterans’ organisations argue that removing restrictions would reduce attendance at dawn services and weaken national unity.

Online Shopping, Delivery Services and Public Holiday Impact

ANZAC Day trading laws do not apply to online shopping. Consumers can purchase goods from e-commerce platforms normally. However, delivery timelines may change due to public holiday staffing. Australia Post, Aramex, DHL and courier companies typically pause domestic deliveries on 25 April. Food delivery apps such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo and DoorDash remain active, especially around hospitality venues open after dawn services.

ANZAC Day 2025 Opening Time Table by State

This detailed table clarifies what time shops actually open.

Plan Ahead – Shop Before ANZAC Day

Retailers strongly advise planning groceries and household purchases on 24 April. Major supermarkets experience high pre-holiday demand as families stock up for long weekends. Cafés and hospitality operate normally on ANZAC Day but general retail may remain closed in the morning. Planning ahead prevents unexpected delays and supports local business scheduling.

Conclusion

ANZAC Day stands as a shared moment of respect, remembrance and national reflection. The trading rules in 2025 reinforce this cultural value while balancing the realities of retail and modern commerce. Fully deregulated states such as the ACT and Northern Territory permit retailers to operate freely. New South Wales has strengthened its approach with a complete ban on non-exempt retail across the entire day. Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia maintain afternoon opening windows after protected morning ceremonies. Alcohol restrictions, staffing consent requirements and e-commerce operation all factor into how ANZAC Day functions for businesses and consumers.

As online shopping continues to grow, governments may need to re-evaluate whether traditional morning closures remain relevant, but for now ANZAC Day remains an occasion defined by community, heritage and respect. The best strategy is to plan ahead, shop on 24 April if needed, and support local cafés and hospitality venues after dawn services. In 2025, Australians will come together once again on 25 April to acknowledge history, honour service and share a national moment before retailers resume activity for the long weekend.

FAQs

Are shops open on ANZAC Day QLD?

In Queensland, exempt shops can open all day on ANZAC Day, while independent retailers are permitted to open after 1 pm. Large non-exempt stores such as major supermarkets, department stores and big-box retailers remain closed in the morning and typically reopen mid-afternoon if permitted.

What are the ANZAC Day trading hours in Tasmania?

Most shops in Tasmania are required to remain closed until 12:30 pm on ANZAC Day. After this time, general retail can begin trading. Pharmacies, cafés, takeaway venues, bottle shops, newsagents and service stations usually operate during the morning without restriction, as they are classified as exempt shops under Tasmanian regulations.

What are the ANZAC Day trading hours in Victoria?

In Victoria, non-exempt shops must remain closed until 1 pm on ANZAC Day. After 1 pm, larger retailers, shopping centres and entertainment venues can begin normal operations. Exempt shops including petrol stations, chemists, cafés and small independent stores may open before 1 pm at their discretion.

What are the ANZAC Day trading hours in Queensland?

Queensland maintains structured opening rules. Exempt shops may trade normally throughout the day. Independent retailers can open from 1 pm, while major retailers remain closed during the morning. Food and grocery outlets are given more flexibility compared to general retail in Queensland.

What are ANZAC Day trading hours in Canberra?

Canberra, located within the ACT, has no formal trading restrictions on ANZAC Day. Shops can open whenever they choose. Most retailers, supermarkets and cafés still delay opening during the morning to allow employees to attend dawn services, but this is not a legal requirement.

What are ANZAC Day opening hours in Brisbane?

In Brisbane, exempt shops including service stations, cafés, florists and bottle shops may open early on ANZAC Day. Independent retailers generally begin trading after 1 pm. Larger non-exempt businesses normally remain closed until these afternoon trading windows under Queensland regulations.

What are restaurant trading hours on ANZAC Day?

Restaurants and hospitality venues are generally exempt on ANZAC Day across all states and territories. Many cafés open early to serve people after dawn services. Dining venues may operate under standard public holiday rules, including surcharge requirements and alcohol licensing conditions tied to local regulations.

Are shops open on ANZAC Day in WA?

Western Australia restricts most non-exempt retail trading on ANZAC Day. Exempt shops such as pharmacies, cafés, newsagents, service stations and small independent retailers are usually open. Larger retail stores including supermarkets and major shopping centre tenants typically remain closed for most of the day.