Australians will gather for Dawn Services across the country on Anzac Day, April 25, 2025, to honor service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. This national public holiday not only serves as a day of remembrance but also brings significant changes to retail trading hours across various states.
In New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Perth, most Woolworths stores will be closed on Anzac Day. However, in Victoria, Northern Territory, and the ACT, Woolworths locations will reopen at 1pm. Tasmania’s stores will open slightly earlier, at 12:30pm, while regional Western Australia locations will open at either 12pm or 1pm.
Coles stores in New South Wales and Queensland will remain closed, but Victorian Coles locations will reopen from 1pm. In the Northern Territory, Coles stores will open at 12pm, and ACT and Tasmania stores will trade from either 12:30pm or 1pm. South Australian and Western Australian Coles store hours will vary by location.
Aldi will only open in selected states, with stores trading in Victoria while Queensland locations will remain closed. Customers are advised to check Aldi’s online store locator for accurate information regarding trading hours.
Westfield shopping centres will also face closures, with all centres in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia remaining shut. However, ACT Westfield centres will open from 1pm to 5pm, and Victorian centres will operate between 1pm and 9pm.
Kmart stores in New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia will remain closed, while Victorian and South Australian stores will open after 1pm. ACT locations will begin trading from 1:30pm.
In New South Wales, Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores will mostly begin trading at 1pm, except for stores linked to ALH Hotels, which will follow hotel licensing rules. However, many stores in New South Wales will largely stay closed for the entire day, with only those attached to ALH Hotels allowed to trade.
The Bottle-O at Wickham is among the 2,400 liquor retailers required to close under updated NSW Fair Trading rules, which mandate that all retail shops must remain closed on Anzac Day. This rule, introduced in July 2024, aims to encourage more participation in Anzac Day services.
Retail Drinks Australia has raised concerns about the new laws, calling them "unfair," "discriminatory," and "anti-competitive." Chief executive Michael Waters expressed frustration, stating, "People taking part in Anzac Day should be able to commemorate however they choose," and added that over 100 exemption applications have been rejected.
Luke Dickinson, who manages several bottle shops in Newcastle, described the rule as "a bit of a kick in the guts," noting that he employs 15 to 20 university students who rely on public holiday rates. He emphasized that while permanent part-time and full-time staff will still receive pay, they cannot earn sales revenue during closures.
Conversely, some small retailers see an opportunity in these restrictions. Rashmin Naroln, owner of Bottlemart at Carrington, supports the closure of larger stores, saying, "Now it’s a good opportunity because big retailers will be closed." He acknowledged that the period following Easter and Anzac Day is typically slow, and added, "It is a bit of a relief, otherwise it would be hard."
Big W stores in Western Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland will also remain closed, with reduced hours expected in other regions. Ikea stores in New South Wales, Western Australia, and Queensland will similarly remain shut, while Victorian and South Australian stores will trade with reduced hours.
As the long weekend follows closely behind the Easter holidays, many Australians may find their pantries empty after consecutive closures. Retailers are urging customers to plan ahead, while Retail Drinks Australia continues to appeal to the government for a return to the previous 1pm opening time for bottle shops.
As a day of reflection, respect, and remembrance, Anzac Day is a significant occasion in Australia. Approximately 8,141 Australians and New Zealanders tragically lost their lives during the Gallipoli landings on April 25, 1915. This solemn day serves as a reminder of the heavy toll of that fateful day and the lives cut short.
While most businesses will remain closed, some stores will open later in the day with reduced hours, providing a helping hand for anyone needing to grab last-minute essentials. Under the Retail Trading Act, businesses listed in “Schedule 1” are allowed to open on Anzac Day.
In Victoria, Coles and Woolworths will open from 1pm, while in Tasmania, they’ll start even earlier at 12:30pm. Northern Territory stores will also open after 12pm, but South Australians will find no grocery options available. In Perth, Woolworths stores will remain closed, although some regional WA locations may still open.
For shoppers in Queensland, it’s a complete shutdown, and Aldi fans are encouraged to check their local store’s hours online as they vary by location. Kmart shoppers will find stores in NSW, Queensland, and WA completely closed, while ACT locations will open from 1:30pm, and those in Victoria and SA can expect doors to unlock at 1pm.
Westfield centres in Victoria and the ACT will open from 1pm, but for shoppers in QLD, SA, WA, and NSW, all will be closed. Bunnings stores will open from 1pm in the ACT, NT, and Vic, while some Northern Territory stores open from 12pm. South Australian and most Western Australian stores will open from midday, but those in Queensland and NSW will be closed.
Overall, the trading hour restrictions aim to prioritize national reflection and recognition on Anzac Day. Retailers and consumers alike must adjust to the evolving landscape of public holiday trading in Australia.
