People planning a barbecue, beach outing or family gathering should be aware that shopping centres, supermarkets and liquor stores may not follow their usual schedules. For more public holiday information, see our Australia Day 2026 events and closures guide.
Supermarkets are expected to remain open with shorter trading hours
Most Coles and Woolworths supermarkets are expected to open on Australia Day, although many locations will trade for reduced hours. Exact opening and closing times depend on state regulations, shopping centre policies and individual store decisions.
Stores in major cities often remain open longer than regional locations, while some suburban supermarkets may close during the afternoon. Customers should check the trading hours of their local store before travelling.
ALDI stores generally follow public holiday trading schedules, with some opening later or closing earlier than normal. IGA supermarkets are independently owned, so trading hours vary by location, but many stores continue operating throughout the holiday and can be a useful option if larger supermarkets close earlier.
Bunnings and shopping centres
Bunnings Warehouse stores are usually open across much of Australia on Australia Day, operating on public holiday hours. Many customers visit early in the day to buy barbecue supplies, gardening products and home improvement items.
Shopping centres may have mixed trading arrangements. Supermarkets, pharmacies and food outlets often open, while fashion retailers and specialty stores may choose to trade shorter hours or remain closed. Individual businesses decide their own opening times within local public holiday regulations.
Bottle shops, cafés and takeaway food
Many standalone bottle shops are expected to trade on Australia Day, although those located inside shopping centres may have more limited hours. Buying supplies earlier in the day is recommended if you’re hosting family or friends.
Cafés, bakeries, restaurants and takeaway outlets generally continue operating, especially in tourist areas, city centres and coastal suburbs. Public holiday staffing may lead to longer queues or limited menus during busy periods.
Services that may be closed
Most bank branches, government offices and council service centres are closed on Australia Day. Some medical clinics may also shut for the public holiday, although pharmacies often remain open with reduced hours.
Petrol stations usually continue operating, but attached convenience stores may follow different trading schedules depending on the operator and location.
Why trading hours differ across Australia
Australia does not have one national set of public holiday trading rules. Instead, each state and territory has its own retail trading laws, which means stores from the same retail chain can operate different hours depending on where they are located.
This is particularly noticeable near state borders and in regional communities, where neighbouring towns may follow different public holiday regulations. Travellers should avoid assuming that every store will be open simply because another branch of the same retailer is trading elsewhere.
Before heading out, it is worth checking your preferred retailer’s official trading hours online. The official Woolworths Store Locator provides the latest opening hours for individual stores, while other major retailers offer similar tools on their websites.
Shopping earlier in the day remains the safest approach, particularly in regional areas where public holiday trading hours are often shorter than in metropolitan locations.
