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Retail Trading Hours in Western Australia

The Retail Trading Hours Act 1987 applies to retail shops in Western Australia south of the 26th parallel. It sets out the trading hours and rules covering various categories of retail outlets. Trading hours of restaurants, cafes and takeaway food shops are not covered by the Act.

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General retail shops

All shops are regarded as general retail shops unless they fall under any one of the other categories including: small retail shops, special retail shops, filling/service stations or motor vehicle shops.  

Trading hours for General retail shops in the Metropolitan area

  • 8.00am - 9.00pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday and Friday*
  • 8.00am - 5.00pm, Saturday
  • CLOSED, Sunday
  • CLOSED, Public Holidays

* effective from 1 November 2010 for the whole of the Perth metropolitan region.
 
Note: the introduction of extended weeknight trading in the Perth Metropolitan area does not affect trading hours arrangements applying in regional areas. Traders may choose when they open within the specified trading hours.

Small retail shops

In part, small retail shops are shops owned by up to six people who operate no more than three retail shops, in which up to 18 people work at any one time (persons employed as apprentices are not included in maximum permitted staffing numbers).

Small retail shops may sell any goods other than motor vehicles.

If you want to trade as a small retail shop you must apply for a Certificate. Qualified applications will be processed promptly and free of charge.

Trading hours

Shops in this category can trade 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Special retail shops

Special retail shops are considered necessary for emergency, convenience or recreation goods.

  • Special retail shops include: 
  • newsagencies and bookshops; 
  • pharmacies; 
  • garden nurseries; 
  • hardware and home improvement shops; 
  • video shops; 
  • art and craft shops; 
  • souvenir and duty free shops; 
  • shops at sports venues; 
  • boating shops; 
  • motor vehicle spare parts shops; and 
  • shops at international standard hotels.

If you want to trade as a special retail shop you must apply for a Certificate. Qualified applications will be processed promptly and free of charge.

Trading hours

  • 6.00am - 11:30pm, every day of the year.

Filling stations - service stations

Filling stations include any business that sells motor fuel.

Trading hours

Filling station trading hours are deregulated in all areas.

There are restrictions on the range of non-petroleum goods which may be sold from filling stations after general retail shop trading hours.

The range of goods approved will depend on the corporate circumstances of each business. A more expansive range of goods is available to small filling stations. These in part are:
stations owned by up to six people who collectively operate no more than 3 filling stations; and 
in which a maximum of 10 people work at any time.

If you want to trade as a Small Filling Station you must apply for a Certificate. Qualified applications will be processed promptly and free of charge.

For further information on after hours non-petroleum stock options contact Trading Hours enquiries on (08) 9282 0841.

Motor vehicle shops - car yards

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

Trading hours

  • 8.00am – 6.00pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 
  • 8.00am – 9.00pm, Wednesday 
  • 8.00am – 1.00pm, Saturday 
  • CLOSED, Sunday
  • CLOSED, Public Holidays

Special Trading Precincts

Expanded general retail hours are available to shops in the Special Trading Precincts of Armadale*, Fremantle, Joondalup, Midland* and Perth. Traders may choose when they open within the specified trading hours.

* effective from 1 November 2010.


Download the attached maps for details of the precinct boundaries for Armadale, Joondalup, Midland, Fremantle and Perth.

Please note for the Armadale, Joondalup, Midland and Perth special trading precincts, businesses on either side of a boundary road will have the right to trade as part of those precincts.
For full details see The Retail Trading Hours Amendment (Special trading Precincts and Holiday Resorts) Regulations (No.2) 2010

Armadale, Fremantle, Joondalup, Midland and Perth Special Trading Precinct trading hours

  • 8.00am – 9.00pm, Monday to Friday
  • 8.00am – 5.00pm, Saturday
  • 11.00am – 5.00pm, Sunday
  • 8.00am – 5.00pm, Public Holidays except Christmas Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day


For full details see The Retail Trading Hours Amendment (Special trading Precincts and Holiday Resorts) Order (No.2) 2010

Note: General retail shops within all special trading precincts are required to be closed on New Years Day, 1 January 2011.

Rockingham and Wanneroo Holiday Resorts.

In order to harmonise the closing times for general retail shops located in the Rockingham and Wanneroo holiday resorts with those located in other parts of the metropolitan area, the non-holiday weeknight closing times for those Resorts have been changed to 9pm, also effective from 1 November 2010. 

Rottnest Island

On Rottnest Island the closing time for general retail shops has not been changed and remains 9:30pm.

Applying for a small or special retail shop or small filling station Certificate.

To apply for a small or special retail shop, or filling station Certificate please refer to our forms.

Applying for extended trading hours in non metropolitan areas

Local government authorities outside the Perth metropolitan area can apply to Consumer Protection to extend the trading hours for General Retail Shops in their district beyond those stipulated in the Act.

For further information contact Trading Hours enquiries on (08) 9282 5641.

Applying for extended trading hours to support a community event

Metropolitan local government authorities and metropolitan shopping centres can apply to Consumer Protection for additional trading in support of special local events.

The terms and the frequency of applications are limited.

For further information contact Trading Hours enquiries on (08) 9282 5641.

Permits

Extended trading permits are available under certain conditions. These include for example, swapmeets, trade fairs and industry expos.
 
For specific advice on the issue of  permits please contact Trading Hours enquiries on (08) 9282 5641.

Contacting the Retail Services Branch of Consumer Protection and accessing application forms

For further information regarding retail trading hours contact the Automotive, Marine and Trading Hours Branch of Consumer Protection on (08) 9282 5641.

For a precise statement of the law, we recommend you obtain a copy of the Retail Trading Hours Act 1987, or seek independent legal advice.

Application forms for traders are available from Consumer Protection. You can call us on 1300 30 40 54, or email us for copies.