What’s Open on Labour Day Long Weekend in Sydney 2025

Labour Day is coming up on Monday, October 6, 2025, giving us the yearly October long weekend to head on outdoors and soak up more of this beautiful springtime weather. You may be wondering if the local Woolworths or Kmart is open; for that, here’s our guide on Labour Day trading hours in Sydney.

Unlike ANZAC Day and the string of Easter public holidays, there are generally no specific trading restrictions on Labour Day in Sydney under NSW law. It all comes down to the retailer and what they choose to do, either offering limited trading hours or closing entirely for the public holiday. As always, it’s best practice to check with your favourite business for their specific Labour Day opening hours, but as a general rule, here’s what you’ll find open, and what will be closed for the public holiday.

When is the Labour Day public holiday in Sydney?

in New South Wales (and Australia Capital Territory, plus South Australia), Labour Day is always on the first Monday of October. In 2025, that falls on October 6, giving us a nice little long weekend—our first since August’s Bank Holiday.

The annual holiday celebrates the commencement of the eight-hour working day, which was established in the 1850s. Before this, the majority of workers were expected to work exceptionally long hours and so this was a profound change in the ferociously ongoing work-life balance discussion.

Daylight saving starts the day before Labour Day, on Sunday, October 5, and so Monday is always cause for celebration as we tend to get at least two more hours to enjoy the sun before sunset, which is usually at 7pm

What’s open on the October long weekend?

Woolworths

Most major Woolworths stores have always remained open during Labour Day, as with all other supermarkets. However, some individual stores may have reduced trading hours. You can use the Woolworths Store Locator online to check in with your closest supermarket.

Coles

Much like Woolworths, you can expect your local Coles to open on Monday, October 6. There will be exceptions with small stores, so I recommend using the Coles Store Locator online tool to find out specific opening hours that weekend.

Aldi

Most Aldi stores in NSW will remain open on Labour Day. For any exceptions, use the Aldi Store Locator online tool to find out specific opening hours.

Bunnings

Bunnings does not have a standard holiday hours policy, so you’ll generally find that Labour Day hours differ significantly based on location. You can use the NSW Store Locator to find specific trading hours in case you want to take the Monday to do some last-minute home improvements instead of heading to the beach like everyone else.

IKEA

If previous years are anything to go by, all three IKEA locations in NSW (Marsden Park, Rhodes, Tempe) will be open from 10am to 9pm. I’m not expecting things to be any different this year, so don’t fret if you want to spend Monday redecorating your home and slotting pegs into holes.

Target

Target is another major retailer where most locations should be business as usual on Labour Day. There may be some smaller stores operating on restricted trading hours so use the Target Store Locator to keep an eye on your local.

Kmart

Most Kmart stores will be open from 8am to 9pm, but it varies slightly from location to location, with some stores closing at 8pm. You can use the Kmart Store Locator to make sure your local is open on the October long weekend.

Big W

All Big W stories in NSW should be open from 10am to 4pm on Labour Day, operating to reduced hours. However, your local may be an exception (whether it’s closer or open even longer) so you’re best bet is keeping an eye on the official Big W Store Finder.

Westfield

All Westfield Shopping Centres in NSW will remain open on Labour Day, working to regular Monday opening hours from 10am to 6pm. Some individual stores in each shopping centre, however, may choose to close their doors for the day.

Liquorland, Vintage Cellars & First Choice Liquor

I know this is what you’ve been really looking for, so congratulations on scrolling this far. Will you be able to buy booze on Labour Day? Of course you will. All of these stores will be open as normal on Labour Day 2025.

Dan Murphys & BWS

Much like the above, you need not fret about your giant liquor shops. Labour Day is a popular day for backyard BBQs, so Dan Murphys and BWS would be foolish to close on what should be one of their busiest days of trade in October. You can expect all stores in NSW to run on regular Monday hours.