Retail trading hours

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Retail trading hours provide times when retailers in Western Australia can open for business.  Extended trading may also apply over the Christmas period or on some public holidays.

In some cases the location and type of business can dictate the hours which the business can be open to customers.

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

Variation to the trading hours on the following public holidays have been approved for general retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area.

    2024 Public holiday trading hours
    Public holiday Trading hours
    New Year's Day - Monday 1 January  8.00am to 6.00pm
    Australia Day - Friday 26 January  8.00am to 6.00pm
    Labour Day - Monday 4 March  8.00am to 6.00pm
    Easter Monday - Monday 1 April  8.00am to 6.00pm
    Western Australia Day - Monday 3 June 8.00am to 6.00pm
    King's Birthday - Monday 23 September 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

    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.

    Public holiday trading hours for regional/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 retail trading hours team 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 retail trading hours team 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

    Retail shop leases:

    Wages

    • Wageline (free and confidential private-sector employment information service)
    • Telephone 1300 655 266
    • Email
     

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