2026 Christmas public holidays
Christmas Day – Friday 25 December; Boxing Day – Saturday 26 December; Additional/substitute holiday – Monday 28 December.
This applies to NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, ACT and NT.
Can hardware retailers trade?
| State/Territory | Christmas Day – 25 Dec | Boxing Day – 26 Dec | Monday 28 Dec |
| NSW | ❌ Generally closed | ✅ Can trade | ✅ Can trade |
| VIC | ⚠️ Exempt/small shops only | ✅ Can trade | ✅ Can trade |
| QLD | ❌ Non-exempt shops closed | ✅ Can trade | ✅ Can trade |
| SA | ❌ Closed | ✅ 9am–5pm | ✅ 9am–5pm |
| WA | ⚠️ Depends on shop classification | ✅ Can trade | ✅ Can trade |
| TAS | ⚠️ Large retailers restricted | ✅ Can trade | ✅ Can trade |
| ACT | ✅ Can trade | ✅ Can trade | ✅ Can trade |
| NT | ✅ Can trade | ✅ Can trade | ✅ Can trade |
State and territory requirements
NSW: Christmas Day is a restricted trading day. Boxing Day can trade if employees freely elect to work. Monday 28 December is not a restricted trading day. Small-shop exemptions may apply on Christmas Day.
VIC: Christmas Day is a restricted trading day. Hardware retailers must qualify as an exempt shop to trade. Boxing Day and Monday 28 December are not restricted trading days.
QLD: Non-exempt shops must close on Christmas Day. Trading on Boxing Day and Monday 28 December depends on the shop’s trading area and classification.
SA: Hardware shops can trade 9am–5pm on Boxing Day and Monday 28 December. Christmas Day is closed.
WA: Trading on Christmas Day depends on the shop’s classification. Small and special retail shops may be able to trade under specific conditions.
TAS: Christmas Day restrictions apply to businesses employing more than 250 people and certain franchise arrangements. Smaller independent retailers may be able to trade.
ACT: Retail trading is generally deregulated.
NT: Retail trading is generally deregulated. Christmas Eve is also a part-day public holiday from 7pm to midnight.
Employees working on public holidays
Being permitted to open does not automatically mean employees can be required to work.
Employers should check:
- whether employees can be required to work;
- employees’ right to reasonably refuse public-holiday work;
- public holiday penalty rates; and
- applicable awards, enterprise agreements and employment contracts.
This guide is a general summary only. Members should confirm the requirements that apply to their individual business with the relevant state or territory authority and the Fair Work Ombudsman before trading.
For confirmation, here are each states links.
QLD
https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/travel/holidays/public
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/marketing-sales/trading-hours/hours/queensland
NSW
VIC
SA
https://safework.sa.gov.au/industry/retail/holiday-trading-arrangements
WA
https://www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au//retail-trading-hours
https://www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/small-and-special-retail-shops
TAS
https://www.worksafe.tas.gov.au/topics/laws-and-compliance/public-holidays
ACT
https://www.act.gov.au/living-in-the-act/public-holidays-school-terms-and-daylight-saving
NT
https://nt.gov.au/nt-public-holidays