Anzac Day Opening Hours 2025: Coles, Woolies, Bottle Shops

by Dylan Anderson

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Founder @ CarExplore

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April 24, 2025

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3 min read

Anzac Day 2025 falls on Friday, April 25. It’s a solemn national day of remembrance, but it also brings changes to normal trading hours for shops, supermarkets, and public venues around the country.

Below is a detailed breakdown of Anzac Day opening hours across each Australian state and territory, including what to expect from Woolworths, Coles, and other major retailers.

ACT – Australian Capital Territory

All businesses can open without restrictions.
No trading hour limits apply.

New South Wales (NSW)

Major supermarkets including Coles and Woolworths will be closed all day.
Some exceptions include:
- Florists, newsagencies, takeaway food, cafes, petrol stations, chemists, and seafood shops.
- Shops operating for charitable/public fundraising purposes.
- Small shops or those with a trading exemption.
are shops open on Anzac Day in NSW? Mostly no – unless exempt.

Northern Territory (NT)

No restrictions on business trading.
Shops including Woolworths and Coles may open based on individual store policy.

Queensland (QLD)

Most major retailers can open from 1pm, except food/grocery stores which are closed.
Places of public amusement (cinemas, amusement parks, sporting events) must not open before 1:30pm, unless given special ministerial approval.

South Australia (SA)

Restricted trading applies.
Exempt shops (e.g., cafes, petrol stations, pharmacies) can open all day.
Adelaide CBD shops can trade from 12pm to 5pm.
Most large suburban shops must remain closed.

Tasmania (TAS)

Most shops can't open before 12:30pm.
Exceptions include:
- Cafes, restaurants, pharmacies, bottle shops, petrol stations, and some small shops.

Victoria (VIC)

Coles trading hours on Anzac Day: Closed until 1pm.
Woolworths Anzac Day hours: Also closed until 1pm.
Exempt businesses that can open all day include:
- Chemists, petrol stations, cafes, takeaway outlets.
Smaller shops with fewer than 20 staff on the day (and 100 across the week) may also open.

Western Australia (WA)

Many retailers must close all day, including Coles and Woolworths.
Exceptions:
- Restaurants, cafes, petrol stations, hardware stores, pharmacies, nurseries, bookshops.
- Shops under the "special retail" category can trade between 6am and 11:30pm.

Summary

If you’re wondering what’s open on Anzac Day, it really depends on where you are in Australia. Expect Coles Anzac Day hours and Woolworths opening hours on Anzac Day to vary – generally closed in the morning or all day in states with stricter laws.

Use this guide to help plan ahead and avoid disappointment.