Anzac Day and the Easter Long Weekend have conveniently fallen on consecutive weekends this year, with many forward-planning Australians about to skip the three working days between the public holidays, taking advantage of a 10-day break.

For retailers, trading hours may be restricted over this period, depending on the rules within each state and territory.

(Please note that the below descriptions for exemptions are limited only to the appliance and electronics retail industry. Retailers in other industries may qualify for other unstated exemptions.)

New South Wales
Good Friday and Easter Sunday are Restricted Shop Trading days, meaning stores cannot open unless they meet the State Government’s criteria for an exemption. Trading before 1pm on Anzac Day is also restricted. Small businesses with fewer than two owners and no more than four regular employees are exempt, or if your business is located in a specific local government area.

Easter Saturday and Monday are not affected.

Victoria
Good Friday and Anzac Day, prior to 1pm, are restricted trading days in Victoria, meaning only exempt stores can trade. Stores with 20 or fewer persons employed in the shop at any time and having 100 or fewer employees in the week leading up to the restricted day are permitted to open.

Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday are not affected.

Queensland
Trading hours in Queensland over this public holiday period depend largely on the location of the store, with different rules applying to different regions. In all areas of the state, Good Friday is restricted, with non-exempt shops unable to trade and on Anzac Day Friday. Only certain areas are allowed to trade on Sunday. More details are available here.

Western Australia
Retailers must remain closed on Good Friday and Anzac Day in Western Australia unless they qualify as small, that is, being owned by up to six people who operate no more than three retail shops, in which up to 18 people work at any one time (persons employed as apprentices are not included in maximum permitted staffing numbers).

South Australia
Trading hours in South Australia are regulated by ‘shopping district’. These shopping districts consist of the Greater Adelaide Shopping District, including the CBD, and 35 proclaimed shopping districts located in country areas.

Adelaide CBD Tourist Precinct: Non-exempt shops cannot trade on Good Friday or before 12pm and after 5pm on Anzac Day. The rest of the weekend is unaffected.

Proclaimed Shopping Districts: Non-exempt shops cannot trade at all across the Long Weekend or before 12pm and after 5pm on Anzac Day.

Information on exemptions is available here, however, generally the only exemption for this industry is for shops with floor area not exceeding 200 square metres.  Exempt shops, which form the vast majority of South Australia’s retail sector, are asked to remain closed until 12pm as a mark of respect on Anzac Day.

Tasmania
Major retailers and franchise groups employing more than 250 employees must close on Good Friday and Easter Monday before midday. There are no restrictions on Easter Saturday or Sunday.

All businesses, regardless of size, must be closed until 12:30pm on Anzac Day.

Australian Capital Territory & Northern Territory
Australia’s territories have absolutely no restrictions for trading across the Easter Long Weekend or Anzac Day.