Australians heading into the Easter long weekend are facing widespread retail closures and sharply reduced trading hours, with Good Friday marking a near nationwide shutdown of major outlets.
The holiday period brings some of the strictest trading restrictions of the year, cutting across supermarkets, shopping centres and bottle shops.
While doors will start to reopen from Saturday, trading remains uneven, shaped by a complex mix of state rules and public holiday limits.
With staggered reopenings and limited hours extending through to Easter Monday, planning ahead will be key for those needing last-minute gifts or essentials.
Grocery stores
Good Friday
Across Australia, most Woolworths, Coles and Aldi supermarkets will be closed on 3 April. Limited exemptions apply in South Australia and Western Australia, where a small number of stores will remain open.
Easter Saturday
All major supermarket chains will reopen nationally.
- Coles will operate largely at standard hours, though some states may have reduced trading.
- Woolworths and Aldi will also be open across the country, with trading hours varying by location, particularly among Metro-format stores.
Easter Sunday
Trading varies significantly by state:
- NSW: Faces the most restrictive conditions, with a large number of supermarkets — particularly in metropolitan areas — closed, while some exempt and regional stores continue to trade.
- ACT: Remains broadly open, with both major supermarket chains operating across the territory.
- WA: Remains broadly open, with only limited exceptions.
- Qld: Sees most supermarkets open, though some locations operate reduced hours and a small number of regional stores remain closed.
- Vic and Tas: Continue trading across most locations, generally at standard or slightly reduced hours.
- SA: Keeps most metropolitan stores closed, with only a limited number of exempt locations — including Adelaide CBD and key regional centres — trading under reduced hours.
- NT: Remains open, with supermarkets typically operating reduced hours and some locations extending into the evening.
Easter Monday
All major supermarkets — Coles, Woolworths and Aldi — will reopen nationally, generally with reduced or varied trading hours.
Westfield shopping centres
Good Friday
All Westfield centres across Australia will be closed.
Easter Saturday
Centres will reopen nationwide, generally operating between 9am and 5pm, with some variation by state.
Easter Sunday
- ACT, Vic, WA: Centres open with reduced hours (generally between 10am and 5pm).
- NSW: Only limited centres open (notably Tuggerah), with most closed.
- SA: All centres closed.
- Qld: Trading hours vary by location.
Easter Monday
- Centres reopen across most states with reduced hours.
- SA: Westfield centres remain closed.
General retail
Good Friday
All major retailers — Target, Kmart, Big W and Bunnings Warehouse — will be closed nationwide.
Easter Saturday
All retailers reopen, though some stores in NSW, Victoria and Queensland may operate reduced hours.
Easter Sunday
- NSW and SA: Strict trading restrictions, with many stores closed or only limited openings.
- Other states: Most stores open, though hours may vary.
- Bunnings: Open nationally except for some NSW locations.
Easter Monday
Most retailers will reopen across Australia, though trading in South Australia will be more limited, with only select stores operating.
Bottle shops
Good Friday
Major chains including BWS and Dan Murphy's will be closed nationwide, with very limited exceptions in South Australia. Licensed venues may serve alcohol only with meals.
Easter Saturday
Bottle shops reopen nationally, generally at standard hours.
Easter Sunday and Monday
Most stores will be open across Australia, though often with reduced trading hours. Dan Murphy's will operate standard hours on Sunday (excluding some cellar stores) and reduced hours on Monday.
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