Australia Day falls on Monday, 26 January 2026. This date creates a long weekend for workers across the nation. Retailers and service providers adjust their hours for this holiday.
Most businesses remain open during the day. This differs from Good Friday or Christmas Day. Customers should check local listings before travel. Trading hours vary between states and territories.
Supermarket Operations Across The States
Woolworths stores in New South Wales and Victoria open at 9 am. These outlets close at 6 pm on Monday. Most Aldi locations follow similar holiday schedules. Shoppers can access these stores for essential items throughout the day.
Queensland and Western Australia maintain different regulations. Some regional stores in these states close for the holiday. Metropolitan supermarkets in Perth operate from 11 am until 5 pm. Coles stores in South Australia also face restricted hours.
Woolworths stores are open till 6 pm
Department Store And Retail Hours
Kmart and Target open their doors at 9 am. These retailers generally close at 6 pm in major cities. Bunnings Warehouse welcomes customers from 7 am in most regions. Staff at these locations receive penalty rates for the holiday.
Myer and David Jones operate under Sunday trading hours. Customers find these stores open in central business districts. Regional shopping centres might close or reduce their hours. Check the store locator on company websites for accuracy.
State-Specific Trading Regulations
New South Wales deregulates trading for this holiday. Business owners decide their own opening hours. Victoria follows a similar model for retail operations. Shops in these states remain open to the public.
South Australia maintains strict rules for retail trade. Many supermarkets in Adelaide close on public holidays. Western Australia restricts hours for general retail shops. These businesses open from 11 am to 5 pm in Perth.
Bottle Shop Availability
Dan Murphy’s stores in Victoria and Queensland open at 10 am. These outlets close their doors at 7 pm. BWS locations operate across the country with varying hours. Most bottle shops close earlier than usual on Monday.
Liquorland opens stores in New South Wales and Tasmania. Outlets in the Northern Territory remain open except in Alice Springs. Customers in Western Australia find most stores open for trade. Verify specific times through the company store locator.
Dan Murphy’s stores are open till 7 pm
Public Transport Schedules
Trains and buses in Sydney run on a weekend timetable. Transport for NSW adds extra services for evening events. Ferries face exclusions on the harbour during the day. Plan trips using the digital journey planner.
Melbourne transport operates on a Saturday schedule. V/Line services follow a Saturday timetable for regional travellers. The Swan Hill line runs on a Sunday schedule. Passengers should check for service changes on the website.
Queensland And Perth Transport
Translink runs services on a Sunday timetable in Brisbane. This applies to buses, trains, and ferries. Trams on the Gold Coast follow a weekday schedule. Track closures affect the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines.
Perth transport provides additional services for fireworks. Trains on the Yanchep line run every five minutes. Mandurah line passengers board trains from Elizabeth Quay. Road closures impact bus routes in the city centre.
Government Service Closures
Services Australia closes all service centres on Monday. This includes Centrelink and Medicare offices. Phone lines remain inactive during the public holiday. Online accounts stay accessible via myGov for users.
Reporting and payment dates change for recipients. People must report income early to receive payments. Those with a reporting date of 26 January must report on 23 January. This ensures funds arrive in bank accounts on time.
Banking And Financial Institutions
Banks close their physical branches across Australia. This includes Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, and NAB. ATMs remain available for cash withdrawals and deposits. Online banking portals function normally for all customers.
Financial transactions might take longer to process. The public holiday pauses standard bank transfer cycles. Normal operations resume on Tuesday, 27 January. Direct debits might occur on the following business day.
Summary of Operations
- Supermarkets: Open 9 am – 6 pm in most states.
- Department Stores: Open 9 am – 6 pm.
- Public Transport: Saturday or Sunday timetables apply.
- Banks and Post Offices: Closed.
- Government Offices: Closed.
- Bottle Shops: Open with varied hours.
Sydney Harbour Events
The Sydney Opera House sails illuminate at first light. This display features Aboriginal artwork for the community. WugulOra occurs at Barangaroo Reserve for reconciliation. The Ferrython race takes place on the harbour at midday.
The Australia Day Live concert begins in the evening. Dazzling fireworks bring the celebration to a close. Thousands of people gather at Circular Quay for these events. Authorities implement road closures around the harbour precinct.
The Sydney Opera House to feature Aboriginal artwork for the community
Melbourne Community Celebrations
Government House hosts a flag-raising ceremony in Melbourne. A parade moves through the city centre during the morning. Federation Square offers free concerts and family activities. People gather along the Yarra River for the fireworks.
Spectators watch the display from the Docklands precinct. Multicultural food festivals occupy the city streets. The Australian Open tennis tournament nears its final stages. Crowds fill the sporting precinct throughout the holiday weekend.
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Gold Coast And Regional Activities
The City of Gold Coast hosts an event at HOTA. Mayor Tom Tate issued a statement regarding the plans. “The 2026 Gold Coast Australia Day Celebrations are an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate this national day,” he said.
The event features live music and food trucks. A fireworks finale starts at 7 pm on the outdoor stage. The city welcomes 400 new citizens during a ceremony. Residents should walk or ride to the venue to avoid traffic.
Health And Safety Reminders
Pharmacies in major cities remain open for emergencies. Chemist Warehouse operates many 24-hour locations across the nation. Local clinics might close for the long weekend. Call 000 for immediate medical assistance during the holiday.
Life savers patrol beaches across the Australian coastline. Swimmers must stay between the red and yellow flags. High temperatures often occur during late January. Drink water and use sunscreen while outdoors.
