Anzac Day 2026 falls this Saturday, April 25, marking the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. As the state prepares to observe this day of remembrance, many residents will also benefit from a public holiday on Monday, April 27. With trading rules changing between the day of commemoration and the subsequent public holiday, it’s worth knowing local arrangements and what to expect before heading out. If you’re planning your long weekend, here’s a guide to what’s open and closed across NSW.
Saturday trading in NSW: What’s closed on Anzac Day?
In NSW, Anzac Day comes with some of the strictest retail restrictions of the year. Under the Retail Trading Amendment (Anzac Day Trading Hours) Act 2024, large retailers and major shopping centres must remain closed for the entire day. That means supermarkets, department stores and hardware chains — including Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Bunnings and Kmart — will not open on Saturday, alongside standalone liquor stores such as Dan Murphy’s and BWS.
Exemptions apply to essential services, with chemists, petrol stations, news agencies and cafes able to operate as usual, along with small businesses employing four or fewer staff. For most residents, however, it means typical weekend errands will need to be planned around these widespread closures.
What’s open in NSW on the Monday public holiday?
By contrast, the additional public holiday on Monday, April 27 will not be subject to the same trading restrictions. Retailers and businesses across the state are permitted to operate as they would on a standard day, meaning supermarkets, shopping centres and major chains are expected to open with regular or slightly reduced public holiday hours. Some independent operators and local cafes may still choose to close for the long weekend, so it’s worth checking individual store hours in advance, as opening times can vary.
Which states get a Monday public holiday this Anzac Day weekend?
Not every state and territory will receive an additional public holiday this Anzac Day weekend. In 2026, NSW, Western Australia and the ACT will observe a substitute public holiday on Monday, April 27, effectively extending the weekend for many workers.
For those in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory, no additional weekday holiday will be provided, and it will be business as usual on Monday morning.
Read more about trading rules and public holiday legislation in NSW here.
