Retail trading hours

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.

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.

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 Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
• 8.00am to 5.00pm on Saturdays
• 11.00am to 5.00pm on Sundays and public holidays (extended hours on some holidays are listed above)
• 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.

Details about specific fuel stations, their opening hours and fuels they sell is available from FuelWatch.

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.

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 are:

• 8.00am to 6.00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
• 8.00am to 9.00pm on Wednesdays
• 8.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays
• CLOSED on Sundays and 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
• take-away food shops
• short-term markets (set up and dismantled in one day)
• shops on Rottnest Island.

General trading hours for regional/non-metropolitan area

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

• 8.00am to 6.00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays Wednesdays and Fridays
• 8.00am to 9.00pm on Thursdays
• 8.00am to 5.00pm on Saturdays
• 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

• Retail trading hours:
  Phone: (08) 6251 1406
  Email: retailtradinghours@demirs.wa.gov.au
• Retail shop leases:
  Small Business Development Corporation
  Phone: 133 140
  info@smallbusiness.wa.gov.au
• Wages:
  Wageline (a free and confidential service for employment information)
  Phone: 1300 655 266
  Email: wageline@demirs.wa.gov.au