There are strict rules and regulations about Anzac Day trading hours, meaning most retailers will be closed all day on Saturday, April 25. This is not only to protect the solemnity of the day, but it also helps give everyone the chance to pay tribute to our servicemen and women and participate in commemorative and community events.
This year, Anzac Day falls on a Saturday, prompting the NSW government to give everyone an extra public holiday on Monday, April 27. In conjunction with this move, the changes to trading hours on Anzac Day that were introduced last year will again be in force.
This means most retailers will be required to close all day on Anzac Day but can trade on the Monday under normal public holiday rules. There are also certain exemptions to Anzac Day trading that apply to chemists, newsagencies, petrol stations, takeaway restaurants and licenced venues such as pubs and clubs which allow them to trade for part or all of the day.
The following types of businesses are allowed to trade on Anzac Day from 1pm, as per the Retail Trading Act (2008) and the NSW Government.
- Bazaars, fairs or markets if the bazaars, fairs or markets are conducted for charitable or public fundraising purposes
- Book shops
- Cake and pastry shops
- Chemists shops
- Cooked provision shops
- Florists shops
- Fruit and vegetable shops
- Newsagencies
- Nurseries
- Pet shops
- Recorded music, video or DVD shops
- Restaurants, cafes or kiosks
- Seafood shops
- Shops ancillary to venues for playing sport or physical recreation
- Souvenir shops
- Take-away food and drink shops
- Tobacconists shops
- Vehicle shops, vehicle service centres or petrol stations
So while your favourite department store may be closed on Anzac Day, you’ll still be able to buy essentials, enjoy a drink or a bite to eat, have a game of two-up at the pub, while honouring the memory of those who served.
Here’s what’s open, and what’s not, this Anzac Day long weekend.
Woolworths
All Woolies supermarkets will be closed all day on Anzac Day. Exceptions may apply to stores attached to petrol stations. They will be open as usual on Monday.
Coles
All Coles stores in NSW will be closed on ANZAC Day.
Aldi
That middle aisle of madness will have to wait for another day, with Aldi stores remaining closed all of Anzac Day but trading as usual on Monday.
Bunnings
That home improvement project can wait until Monday. All Bunnings Warehouse stores in NSW will be closed on Saturday but trading as usual for the rest of the weekend.
IKEA
Put that allen key away. All IKEA stores are closed for business on Anzac Day but be business as usual the rest of the weekend.
Target
Under the changes to the Retail Trading Amendment (Anzac Day Trading Hours) Act 2024, most major department stores, including Target, are required to stay closed for the entire day.
Kmart
Just like Target, Kmart will be similarly shuttered on Anzac Day but operating as normal on Sunday and the public holiday Monday.
Big W
All Big W stores will be closed on Anzac Day.
Westfield
All Westfield shopping centres will be closed on ANZAC Day.
Liquorland, Vintage Cellars & First Choice Liquor
In a move that has caused much controversy amongst peak retail bodies, the new legislation no longer allows bottle shops to open at all on Anzac Day. The only exceptions are liquor stores attached to hotels and takeaway alcohol sales from pubs.
Dan Murphys & BWS
All standalone Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores in Sydney will be closed on Anzac Day.
If you do need to find a bottle shop, then you’ll need to find one that’s attached to an ALH Hotel. This is because they trade in line with the hotel’s licence rather than act as standalone retailers.
Feature image: City of Sydney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are shops open on the Anzac Day long weekend in NSW?
Only a select few shops will be allowed to open on Anzac Day, April 25, from 1pm, while most will remain shuttered for the entire day. Shops with exemptions include cake and pastry shops, chemists, fruit and vegetable shops, and seafood shops. Monday, April 27, is just a regular public holiday so there are no firm restrictions – businesses and retailers can determine their own trading hours.
Is it illegal to open before 1pm on Anzac Day?
Yes, as per the Retail Trading Act (2008) it is illegal for a non-exempt shop to open before 1pm on ANZAC Day. That said, there are quite a few places that are exempt from trading, so if you’re favourite local falls under one of those categories, it’s safe to say that they’ll be open at some point on Saturday, April 25.
Are cafes allowed to open on Anzac Day?
Yes, cafes are exempt from trading restrictions on Anzac Day. Of course some may decide to take the day off, or open at 1pm. You are best off checking with your favourite local for individual trading hours.
Are pubs closed on Anzac Day in NSW?
Most pubs remain open on Anzac Day in NSW. In fact, this is where you’ll find most people spending the day playing two-up.
What time can you start drinking on Anzac Day?
Given pubs and clubs are open on Anzac Day for the yearly games of two-up, you are able to start drinking pretty much whenever you like.
Why are trading laws on Anzac Day so strict?
Trading laws in NSW for Anzac Day were tightened last year to help further protect the sanctity and solemnity of the day. It also allows more workers to get out there to the dawn services or have a beer and a game of two-up. Not all businesses were happy about it and this year the additional public holiday on Monday, April 27, has also caused some consternation. The hospitality sector has voiced concerns about covering wage bills and penalty rates on another public holiday, while the retail sector has raised concerns over losing a day of trade.
