Retail Trading Hours on Public Holidays

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.