Contact Consumer Protection
Tel: 1300 304 054
consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au
Retail trading hours
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.
Extended trading hours
The following extended trading hours apply to general retail shops.
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
General retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area are able to trade on the following public holidays
| Public holiday | Trading hours |
|---|---|
| Australia Day (Tuesday 26 January 2021) | 8.00am to 6.00pm |
| Labour Day (Monday 1 March 2021) | 8.00am to 6.00pm |
| Easter Monday (Monday 5 April 2021) | 8.00am to 6.00pm |
| ANZAC Day additional public holiday (Monday 26 April 2021) | 8.00am to 6.00pm |
| WA day (Monday 7 June 2021 ) | 8.00am to 6.00pm |
| Queens birthday (Monday 27 September 2021 ) | 8.00am to 6.00pm |
General trading hours
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.
- 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
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 retail shops, special retail shops, filling - service stations or motor vehicle shops.
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 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.
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*
*Exemption to trade was granted for the ANZAC Day additional public holiday, Monday, 27th April 2020.
Shops not covered by the Act
The trading hours of the following store types are not covered by the Act and therefore do not have specified trading hours:
- restaurants,
- cafes,
- takeaway food shops,
- short-term markets (set up and dismantled in one day), and
- shops on Rottnest Island.
Non-metropolitan area
Trading hours for general retail shops not in the Perth metropolitan area are listed below:
- 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
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.
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 the Automotive, Marine and Trading Hours Branch on (08) 6251 1406.
Further information
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.
Contacts for further information:
Retail trading hours
- Automotive, Marine and Trading Hours Branch
- (08) 6251 1406
Retail shop leases:
- Small Business Development Corporation
- Telephone: 133 140
Wages
Share this page:
Last modified: