Anzac Day 2026 trading hours, public holidays, and state-specific rules across Australia
Consensus Summary
Anzac Day 2026 falls on Saturday, April 25, with varying trading hours and public holiday rules across Australia. New South Wales, Western Australia, and the ACT will have an additional public holiday on Monday, April 27, while Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and the Northern Territory will not. Retail closures are strictest in NSW, where major chains and bottle shops must remain closed all day, while other states allow limited trading for essential services and small businesses. Queensland prohibits general retail trading, with exemptions for grocers and essential services, while South Australia and Western Australia have partial openings for supermarkets and small shops. Double demerit points for driving offenses apply in NSW, ACT, and WA during the long weekend but not in other states. Queensland also allows two-up games at RSL clubs and specific alcohol sales tied to meals during dawn services. The day is marked by dawn services, parades, and road closures in major cities, with over 500 events planned across Queensland alone.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Anzac Day falls on Saturday, April 25, 2026, with no additional public holiday in Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, or the Northern Territory.
- New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will observe an additional public holiday on Monday, April 27, 2026.
- In New South Wales, major retailers (Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Bunnings, Kmart, Target, Big W, Westfield) and bottle shops (Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars) must remain closed all day on April 25, 2026.
- Victoria requires most retail businesses to stay closed until 1pm on Anzac Day, with exemptions for essential services like chemists, petrol stations, and small businesses with 20 or fewer employees.
- Queensland prohibits general retail trading on Anzac Day, with independent grocery shops and essential services exempt from restrictions.
- South Australia allows suburban supermarkets to open from noon to 9pm on Anzac Day, while Adelaide CBD shops can trade between 12pm and 5pm.
- Western Australia closes major retail shops all day, with small retail shops and special retail shops (e.g., pharmacies, hardware stores) allowed to trade between 6am and 11.30pm.
- Tasmania restricts businesses from opening before 12:30pm, with exemptions for pharmacies, newsagents, bottle shops, service stations, and hospitality venues.
- The ACT and Northern Territory have fully deregulated trading hours on Anzac Day, allowing businesses to operate as usual.
- Double demerit points for driving offenses apply in NSW, ACT, and WA from April 24 to April 27, 2026, but not in Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, or the Northern Territory.
- RSL clubs and licensed venues in Queensland can sell alcohol in association with dawn services from 5am, with meal requirements for alcohol sales between 10am and 1pm.
- Two-up games are legally allowed in Queensland at RSL or services clubs on Anzac Day, with winnings returned to players and entrance fees donated to the RSL.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- NSW’s Retail Trading Amendment (Anzac Day Trading Hours) Act 2024 enforces the strictest retail closures in the country for Anzac Day 2026.
- In South Australia, suburban supermarkets can open from noon to 9pm, while Adelaide CBD shops can trade between 12pm and 5pm.
- The ACT initially did not recognize April 25 as a public holiday but later bowed to union pressure to declare it one.
- Queensland’s Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie confirmed in January 2026 that no additional public holiday would be substituted for Anzac Day.
- Dreamworld and Movie World theme parks in Queensland will be closed on Anzac Day.
- Real estate agents in Queensland are prohibited from selling property, conducting open houses, or making sales-related calls on Anzac Day.
- Dawn services in Brisbane will start at 4:28am at the Shrine of Remembrance, with road closures from 3:30am to 7:30am on Ann Street, Edward Street, Adelaide Street, and Creek Street.
- RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day emphasized the importance of unity in commemorating Anzac Day.
- The article mentions Anzac Day falling on a Saturday in 2026 but does not provide additional unique details beyond public holiday information.
- NSW’s additional closures aim to combat the 'creeping commercialisation of Anzac Day'.
- Some Woolworths across the nation will reduce operating hours on Monday, April 27, even in states without a public holiday.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian states that NSW aims to fight the 'creeping commercialisation of Anzac Day' with stricter closures, but this specific motivation is not mentioned in other sources.
- ABC and NEWSCOMAU both confirm Queensland’s trading rules, but ABC specifies that cinemas and amusement parks cannot open until 1:30pm unless granted permission, while NEWSCOMAU does not mention this time restriction.
Source Articles
Where shops are open this Anzac Day
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Service times and what's open: Your guide to Anzac Day in Queensland
More than 500 events will be held across Queensland to commemorate Anzac Day on Saturday. Here's what you need to know.
Who gets a public holiday for Anzac Day across Australia?
Anzac Day falls on a Saturday this year, with new rule changes coming into effect for the first time.
Which states get a public holiday for Anzac Day?
Anzac Day is observed on April 25 every year. This year that date falls on a Saturday, but that doesn't mean a long weekend for everyone.
Who gets an Anzac long weekend
Not all states get an Anzac Day long weekend, as the memorial day falls on a Saturday this year.
Anzac Day 2026 trading hours: what shops are open and closed across Australia?
Will Woolworths, Coles or Bunnings be open? Pharmacies and petrol stations will remain open on Saturday across much of Australia, with supermarket trading hours varying by state What’s closed and what shops are open on Anzac Day in Australia? Pharmacies and petrol stations are among the essential services that will remain open on Saturday across much of the country. Continue reading...
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