is it a public holiday on monday is the question many shoppers are asking as Anzac Day approaches, but the more immediate issue is how state-by-state trading rules will shape what is actually open. In Australia, the answer depends on where you are, with major retailers, smaller stores and essential services all treated differently across jurisdictions.
What Happens When Trading Rules Diverge By State?
The latest state settings show a clear split in how Anzac Day is handled. In New South Wales, Coles, Woolworths and Bunnings will be closed, along with liquor chains including Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland and Vintage Cellars. The rules there reflect a broader effort by the state government in 2024 to push back against the commercialisation of the day and preserve the sanctity of remembrance.
By contrast, Victoria allows a more limited reopening window. All Coles stores will remain shut until 1pm ET, while larger Woolworths stores will also stay closed until that time. Smaller Woolworths outlets can open with reduced hours, and some shops with 20 or fewer employees are exempt from the closure requirement. Petrol stations, chemists, takeaway outlets, cafes and restaurants can operate all day.
Queensland follows a similar pattern of restricted major-retail trading. Coles stores will be closed and most Woolworths stores will also be shut. Independent grocers and takeaway stores may open, but independent retail stores must stay closed until 1pm ET. Amusement parks, sporting events and cinemas cannot open until 1. 30pm ET unless approved by the state government.
What If You Need Essentials On The Day?
For many households, the key question is not only is it a public holiday on monday but whether basic services will still be available. Pharmacies and petrol stations are among the essential services set to remain open across much of Australia on Saturday, even as larger retailers face tighter restrictions.
That makes the day less about a uniform national shutdown and more about local access. In western states, the picture is mixed. In Western Australia, most Woolworths stores will be closed, while selected Coles stores will open from 1pm ET in specific locations including Chinatown, Kununurra, Vasse, Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River, Eaton Fair, Busselton Central, Pinjarra, Karratha, Tom Price, Dalyellup, Albany, South Hedland and Orana.
The practical takeaway is that essential access remains, but the timing and scope vary sharply. Shoppers should expect smaller outlets, takeaway stores and service stations to carry more of the load than the major chains.
Which Businesses Benefit, And Which Ones Lose Out?
| Stakeholder | Likely position on Anzac Day |
|---|---|
| Major supermarkets | Heavily restricted in several states, with closures or delayed openings |
| Independent grocers and takeaway stores | More room to trade, especially where larger stores are closed |
| Pharmacies and petrol stations | Among the most resilient, with broad openings across much of the country |
| Liquor retailers | Closed in New South Wales and subject to state-specific limits elsewhere |
| Consumers | Face uneven access depending on state, store type and local approval rules |
The uneven structure creates clear winners and losers. Smaller operators and essential services gain visibility and demand, while major retailers absorb the cost of downtime. Consumers benefit from continued access to basics, but only if they understand the local rules in advance.
What Should Readers Expect Next?
The broader trend is not a single national rule but a patchwork of decisions shaped by state law and local priorities. That means is it a public holiday on monday is only part of the answer. The more important question is whether a given store is covered by a closure rule, a reduced-hours rule or an exemption.
For readers, the practical move is simple: check the state, check the retailer and expect different conditions even within the same day. The strongest signal from the current settings is that Anzac Day remains a protected occasion in many places, with trading decisions designed to limit commercial activity while preserving access to essentials. That balance is unlikely to disappear soon, which means is it a public holiday on monday will keep returning as a question tied to local trading rules, not just the calendar.
