ANZAC Day Trading Hours in Sydney: Are Woolworths, Coles & Bunnings Open?

ANZAC Day trading restrictions have changed in 2025. Last year, the Retail Trading Amendment (ANZAC Day Trading Hours) was included so that “non-exempt” retail shops that were traditionally allowed to trade from 1pm will need to remain closed for the full day.

Traditionally, the Retail Trading Act dictated to businesses were generally restricted from opening before 1pm. This was to encourage more Australians to participate in the ANZAC Day Dawn Service and pay their respects on the day.

Now some businesses that have historically been able to open will need to remain closed to the entirety of ANZAC Day.

Certain shops are still allowed to remain open. 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 enjoy the city’s bazaars and DVD shops. See below for more ANZAC Day retail trading hours in Sydney.

Note that the NSW trading hours on ANZAC Day differ greatly from those in other states like South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.

Woolworths

Even though the rules for ANZAC Day trading hours has changed, some Woolworths stores will be sticking to the traditional post-1pm opening hours that are allowed on April 25. All your local Woolworths stores will be closed on the day, at least until 1pm, after which some will be open until either 5pm or 9pm. You’d have to check with your local supermarket for specific hours.

Coles

All Coles stores in NSW will be closed on ANZAC Day.

Aldi

Most Aldi stores in NSW will be closed on ANZAC Day. Although hours do vary and Aldi advises to check with your local supermarket for official ANZAC Day opening hours.

Bunnings

All Bunnings Warehouse stores in NSW will be closed on ANZAC Day.

IKEA

All IKEA stores in NSW will be closed on ANZAC Day.

Target

Target is another non-essential that was previously allowed to trade after 1pm on ANZAC Day. That’s all changed now, and Target will be amongst the big retailers required to remain closed for April 25.

Kmart

Target will be closed, so you’d expect Kmart will be similarly shuttered on ANZAC Day. You can check with your local store to be safe, but it’s unlikely you’ll find any Kmart thriving on Australia’s day of remembrance.

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, new legislation no longer allows bottle shops to open from 1pm on ANZAC Day. Instead, all bottle shops will be closed for the entire 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, for whatever reason, need to buy drinks before 1pm on ANZAC Day then you might be better off looking for a Dan Murphys or BWS 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 ANZAC Day in NSW?

Only a select few shops will be allowed to open on ANZAC Day 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.

What to do on ANZAC Day in Sydney?

The first thing to do on ANZAC Day would be to attend one of Sydney’s several dawn services and pay respect to the diggers that made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

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 on the Friday, May 25 public holiday.

Are cafes allowed to open on ANZAC Day?

Yes, cafes are exempt from trading restrictions on ANZAC Day. Although 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

Why are trading laws on ANZAC Day so strict?

Trading laws in NSW are getting tighter for ANZAC Day, introduced to encourage Australians to take a day to reflect and pay respect to the ANZACs. That said, RSLs are still allowed to trade, pokies are still allowed to poke, and you’re likely to find a lot of Aussies at cafes and restaurants, which are exempt from the restrictions.

Read More

• These are the most popular ANZAC Day dawn services in Sydney
• Here’s where you can play 2-Up on ANZAC Day
• Felons Manly is planning special beers for ANZAC Day