Retail trading hours provide times when retailers in Western Australia can open for business. In some cases the type of business can dictate the hours which the business can be open to customers. There are also times throughout the year when extended trading may apply such as over the Christmas period or on some public holidays.
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.
The following extended trading hours apply to general retail shops.
WA consumers can take advantage of the extra shopping hours over the Christmas season:
General retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area are able to trade on the following public holidays
| Public holiday | Trading hours |
|---|---|
| Australia Day (Monday 27 January 2020) | 8am-6pm |
| Labour Day (Monday 2 March 2020) | 8am-6pm |
| Easter Monday (Monday 13 April 2020) | 8am-6pm |
| ANZAC Day additional public holiday (Monday 27 April 2020) | 8am-6pm |
| Western Australia Day (Monday 1 June 2020) | 8am-6pm |
| Queen's Birthday (Monday 28 September 2020) | 8am-6pm |
| Australia Day (Tuesday 26 January 2021) | 8am-6pm |
Trading hours for general retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area are shown below. Traders do not have to open, however may choose when they open within the specified trading hours.
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.
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 6.00 am – 11:30 pm every day of the year.
Filling stations include any business that sells motor fuel. 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.
For further information on after hours non-petroleum stock options contact Trading Hours enquiries on (08) 6251 1406.
The list of the goods able to be sold are prescribed in the regulations.
A motor vehicle shop includes any shop where motor vehicles are sold.
*Exemption to trade was granted for the ANZAC Day additional public holiday, Monday, 27th April 2020.
The trading hours of the following store types are not covered by the Act and therefore do not have specified trading hours:
Trading hours for general retail shops not in the Perth metropolitan area are listed below:
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. Regional trading hours variations page lists the regional local governments with permanent trading variations.
Detailed advice on the individual variation orders please contact the Automotive, Marine and Trading Hours Branch on (08) 6251 1406.
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 the Automotive, Marine and Trading Hours Branch on (08) 6251 1406.
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.
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