The following is a state by state breakdown of the public holiday information for ANZAC Day 2024.
When is ANZAC Day 2024?
ANZAC Day is on Thursday, 25th of April in 2024.
Is ANZAC Day a public holiday?
Yes, all states and territories across Australia recognise ANZAC Day as a public holiday.
Australian Capital Territory ANZAC Day Trading Information
In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), ANZACDay is recognised as a public holiday. In 2024, the public holiday falls on Thursday, the 25th of April.
In the ACT, businesses can remain open all day on ANZAC Day without limitations.
| Public Holiday | Date in 2024 | ACT Trading Hours |
| ANZAC Day | Thursday, 25th of April | No restrictions on trading hours |
New South Wales ANZAC Day Trading Information
ANZAC Day is recognised as a public holiday in New South Wales. In 2024, the public holiday falls on Thursday, the 25th of April.
New South Wales adheres to specific trading hours to honour this significant day. As per the Retail Trading Act, businesses are generally restricted from opening before 1.00pm.
However, there are exceptions, particularly for small shops. A small shop, defined as having fewer than four employees on the day and no more than two profit-sharing owners, is allowed to operate before 1.00pm.
| Public Holiday | Date in 2024 | NSW Trading Hours |
| ANZAC Day | Thursday, 25th of April | Trading allowed after 1.00pm |
Northern Territory ANZAC Day Trading Information
In the Northern Territory, ANZAC Day is recognised as a public holiday. In 2024, the public holiday falls on Thursday, the 25th of April.
Similar to the ACT, in the Northern Territory businesses can remain open all day on ANZAC Day without limitations.
| Public Holiday | Date in 2024 | NT Trading Hours |
| ANZAC Day | Thursday, 25th of April | No restrictions on trading |
Queensland ANZAC Day Trading Information
ANZAC Day is recognised as a public holiday in Queensland. In 2024, the public holiday falls on Thursday, the 25th of April.
In Queensland, the ANZAC Day trading hours for businesses are clearly defined, catering to two distinct categories: exempt and independent shops.
Exempt shops, encompassing a diverse range from antique to fish stores, enjoy the flexibility of all-day trading, with specifics detailed on the Queensland government’s website.
On the other hand, independent shops, characterised by their smaller workforce and independent operation, are permitted to commence trading post 1 pm on ANZAC Day.
| Public Holiday | Date in 2024 | QLD Trading Hours |
| ANZAC Day | Thursday, 25th of April | Exempt shops are unrestricted trading on ANZAC Day. Independent retail from 1.00pm. Food and grocery unrestricted. |
South Australia ANZAC Day Trading Information
In South Australia, ANZAC Day is observed on Thursday April 25th 2024.
It results in special trading hour restrictions for businesses.
Depending on their category and location, some shops may operate between 12pm and 5pm, particularly non-exempt stores in the CBD and specific hardware outlets.
However, businesses within the metropolitan shopping districts and Glenelg tourist area, along with those in other proclaimed regions, are required to remain closed. For a detailed list of the 25 exempt business categories, please refer to the official guidelines.
| Public Holiday | Date in 2024 | SA Trading Hours |
| ANZAC Day | Thursday, 25th of April | Trading allowed between 12.00pm and 5.00pm only and only in Adelaide CBD |
Tasmania ANZAC Day Trading Information
ANZAC Day is recognised as a public holiday in Tasmania. In 2024, the public holiday falls on Thursday, the 25th of April.
In recognition of ANZAC Day in Tasmania, it’s essential to remember that most businesses are restricted from opening before 12:30 pm.
However, there are exceptions. Pharmacies, newsagents, bottle shops, cafes and restaurants, along with service stations, car yards, and real estate agents, can operate without these constraints.
Smaller shops within large shopping complexes, particularly those with a staffing level of under 10 in March, also fall under this exemption.
| Public Holiday | Date in 2024 | TAS Trading Hours |
| ANZAC Day | Thursday, 25th of April | Trading allowed after 12.30pm |
Victoria ANZAC Day Trading Information
ANZAC Day is recognised as a public holiday in Victoria. In 2024, the public holiday falls on Thursday, the 25th of April.
In Victoria, ANZAC Day is a time of remembrance and respect, reflected in our trading hours. Under the Shop Trading Reform Act 1996, most Victorian retail businesses must remain closed until 1.00pm on ANZAC Day.
Exemptions include essential services like chemists, petrol stations, as well as eateries such as restaurants and cafes. Additionally, smaller shops employing 20 or fewer people and those with a staff of 100 or less across related entities are also allowed to operate.
However, cinemas, live entertainment venues, and real estate auctions must adhere to the 1.00pm start time.
| Public Holiday | Date in 2024 | VIC Trading Hours |
| ANZAC Day | Thursday, 25th of April | Trading allowed after 1.00pm |
Western Australia ANZAC Day Trading Information
ANZAC Day is recognised as a public holiday in WA. In 2024, the public holiday falls on Thursday, the 25th of April.
If you’re unsure about trading hours, it’s important to know that only certain types of businesses are allowed to operate. This includes essential services like pharmacies and newsagents, alongside recreational outlets such as duty-free shops and arts-and-crafts stores.
Dining options remain open, with restaurants, cafes, and takeaway food shops exempt from the closure. To check if your store qualifies for an exemption, visit the government website for a comprehensive list.
| Public Holiday | Date in 2024 | WA Trading Hours |
| ANZAC Day | Thursday, 25th of April | Closed, with exemptions |
ARA advocates for complete deregulation of trading hours
The ARA is a strong advocate for the complete deregulation of retail trading hours to provide retailers with the flexibility to trade at the hours that suit their business and customers.
Deregulation enables flexibility and allows retailers to cater for local demand which can vary considerably across Australia, especially as we adapt to new ways of living and working, post-pandemic.
Consumers have access to online, often overseas-based retailers 24/7 and while bricks and mortar retailers do not necessarily want or need to be open 24/7, they do need the flexibility to tailor trading hours to meet the expectations of their customers and remain competitive.
How trading hours are regulated in each State/Territory
Trading hours are subject to regulation at the state and territory level. While some jurisdictions only regulate trading hours on public holidays and other occasions, other states restrict hours generally or have other restrictions based on geographic area or type of retailer.
Generally, in jurisdictions that have regulations, small businesses are considered “exempt” from trading hour restrictions and it is “non-exempt” retailers, supermarkets and department stores that are most restricted in the hours that they can open.
Public holidays also vary across states and territories and so do the restrictions that apply for these holidays.
| State | Regulation Status | Notes |
| ACT | Deregulated | Retailers just need to be aware of public holidays. |
| NSW | Some regulation of specified public holidays | Some public holidays (Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day before 1pm, Christmas Day and Boxing Day are restricted under the Retail Trading Act 2008 (NSW). However, there are many exemptions for different types of retailers (set out in Schedule 1 of the Act), including a broad exemption for small shops which are defined as having 4 or fewer employees. |
| NT | Deregulated | Retailers just need to be aware of public holidays. |
| QLD | Regulated | Queensland updated its Trading (Allowable Hours) 1990 legislation with amendments in 2022, however, trading hours are still restricted according to location and/or type of retailer. |
| SA | Regulated | SA has recently updated its Shop Trading Hour Act 1977 to enable less restricted trading hours, allowing most shops to now open from 9am on Sundays and Public Holidays, and to allow trading on Boxing Day for certain shops, as well as three midnight trading days in the lead up to Christmas. |
| TAS | Regulated | Tasmanian trading hours are regulated under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1984 according to location and/or type of shop. |
| VIC | Some regulation of specified public holidays | Partially deregulated. Some restrictions apply for Christmas, Good Friday and ANZAC Day with exemptions for certain types of retailers, including cafes and chemists. |
| WA | Regulated | Trading hours are regulated in WA under the Retail Trading Hours Act 1987 (WA) according to location and/or category of retailer with small retail shops unrestricted. |
2024 Public Holidays by State or Territory
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