What's Open on Australia Day? Trading Hours & Closures
Most shops and supermarkets open on Australia Day, usually on public-holiday hours. It is not a restricted trading day like Good Friday or Christmas.
Australia Day is a public holiday, but it is not a restricted trading day. Most shops, supermarkets and shopping centres open, usually on shorter public-holiday hours. In 2027 the date lands on Tuesday 26 January, which puts a four-day break within one day of leave.
Australia Day 2027 falls on a Tuesday
All eight states and territories declare Tuesday 26 January 2027, so the trading picture is the same nationally that day. The date itself never moves, but the weekday does, which is why "what's open" changes shape from year to year.
A Tuesday holiday is the cheapest long weekend on the calendar. Book Monday 25 January as leave and you are away from Saturday to Tuesday for a single day. The 2027 leave guide lists the other windows worth the same trick.
What's open and what's closed
| Where you're going | Australia Day trading |
|---|---|
| Supermarkets and major retailers | Open, commonly on public-holiday hours that are shorter than usual. |
| Shopping centres | Open, though some start later or close earlier than a normal day. |
| Cafes, restaurants and pubs | Open, often with a public-holiday surcharge on the bill. |
| Petrol, pharmacies and convenience stores | Open. |
| Banks, post offices and government services | Closed. |
| Attractions, beaches and events | Open, and busier than a normal Tuesday. |
Why it isn't Good Friday
Restricted trading days are a short list. Good Friday, Christmas Day and the morning of Anzac Day are the ones where most large stores must close in most states. Australia Day is not on that list.
So the expectation to drop is the Good Friday one. Compare it with what's open at Easter, where the same chains shut their doors entirely.
When 26 January lands on a weekend
The holiday moves and the trading rules move with it. The last time it happened was Sunday 26 January 2025, when all eight states and territories observed the holiday on Monday 27 January instead.
That is a move rather than an addition, so the Sunday was an ordinary Sunday for pay and trading. Our guide to weekend public holidays explains the difference and where it bites.
Planning around the day
- Confirm the date for your state on the Australia Day page.
- Price the four-day break in the Leave Planner before you put the request in.
- Check what else is close by on the long weekends calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Are shops open on Australia Day?
Nearly all of them, yes. Retail trades on Australia Day in every state, generally on a shortened public-holiday timetable. Government counters and bank branches are the main things you will find shut.
Are supermarkets open on Australia Day?
Yes. Unlike Good Friday and Christmas Day, no state requires the big grocery chains to close on 26 January. Opening and closing times still differ between individual stores.
Is Australia Day a public holiday?
Yes, in all eight states and territories, every year. In 2027 that is Tuesday 26 January, and in 2026 it was Monday 26 January.
Do shops charge a public holiday surcharge on Australia Day?
Hospitality often does. The surcharge covers penalty rates and typically appears on the menu or at the till. Retailers usually shorten their hours rather than add a surcharge.
What happens when Australia Day falls on a Sunday?
Every state moves it. In 2025 the holiday shifted from Sunday 26 January to Monday 27 January nationwide, and the Monday carried the public-holiday trading rules.
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