Retail trading hours

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The hours a retail shop can be open for trading depends on the type of shop it is and its location. There are also extended trading rules for opening on public holidays and around Christmas.

Christmas shopping trading hours

WA consumers can take advantage of the extra shopping hours over the Christmas season:

Public holiday trading hours for Perth metropolitan area

The trading hours for general retail shops in the Perth area have changed for the following public holidays.

    2025 Public holiday trading hours
    Public holiday Trading hours
    New Year's Day - Wednesday 1 January  8.00am to 6.00pm
    Australia Day - Monday 27 January  8.00am to 6.00pm
    Labour Day - Monday 3 March  8.00am to 6.00pm
    Easte Monday - Monday 21 April 8.00am to 6.00pm
    Western Australia Day - Monday 2 June  8.00am to 6.00pm
    King's Birthday - Monday 29 September 8.00am to 6.00pm

     

    General trading hours

    Trading hours for general retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area are shown below.  

    Retail shops can be open within the set trading hours

    • 8.00am to 9.00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday and Friday
    • 8.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday
    • 11.00am to 5.00pm on Sunday
    • 11.00am to 5.00pm on public holidays
    • CLOSED on ANZAC day, Christmas Day and Good Friday 

    Retail shops do not have to be open at these times it is the choice of the shop managers.

    Trading hours by retail type

    All shops are regarded as general retail shops unless they fall under any one of the other categories including:

    Small and special retail shops

    You must apply for a certificate if you want to trade as a small or special retail shop.

    Small retail shops can trade 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

    Special retail shops are considered necessary for emergency, convenience, or recreation goods. Shops in this category can trade between 6.00am to 11:30pm every day of the year.

    Filling stations – service stations

    Filling stations include any business selling vehicle fuel. Filling station trading hours are deregulated in all areas. This means they can be open at any time.

    They are also restricted in what non-fuel products they can sell outside general retail shop trading hours. The list of the goods able to be sold are prescribed in section 11 of the regulations.

    Details about specific fuel stations, their opening hours and fuels they sell see FuelWatch.

    For information and advice about product restrictions contact the retail trading hours team on (08) 6251 1406

    Motor vehicle shops (car yards)

    A motor vehicle shop includes any shop where motor vehicles are sold.

    Motor vehicle shops trading hours:

    • 8.00am to 6.00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
    • 8.00am to 9.00pm on Wednesday
    • 8.00am to 1.00pm on Saturday
    • CLOSED on Sunday
    • CLOSED on public holidays

    Shops not covered by the Act

    The trading hours of the following store types are not covered by the Act. This means they can open at any time:

    • restaurants,
    • cafes,
    • takeaway food shops,
    • short-term markets (set up and dismantled in one day), and
    • shops on Rottnest Island.

    General traiding hours for regional/non-metropolitan area

    General retail shops outside of the Perth metropolitan area can open:

    • 8.00am to 6.00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
    • 8.00am to 9.00pm on Thursday
    • 8.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday
    • Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

     

    Some regional local government authorities (LGAs) have permanent Regional trading hours variations.

    LGAs can apply for extended trading hours for general retail shops in their area. Please contact the retail trading hours team on (08) 6251 1406 for more information.

    Extended trading permits 

    Extended trading permits are available under certain conditions. For example, swapmeets, trade fairs and industry expos. Please contact the retail trading hours team on (08) 6251 1406 for more information.

    Further information 

    The  Retail Trading Hours Act 1987 applies to retail shops south of the 26th parallel in Western Australia. It sets the trading hours and rules for the different types of retail stores.

    Contacts for help and advice

     

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