Across Australia, communities are preparing for Anzac Day 2026, with significant variations in public holiday dates and retail trading hours depending on which state or territory you call home. While the day of remembrance falls on Saturday, April 25, the impact on your Monday morning and your local grocery run is far from uniform.

The Full Story

With Anzac Day landing on a Saturday in 2026, the age-old question of 'who gets a day off on Monday' has resurfaced. In Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, residents will enjoy a long weekend as the public holiday is officially observed on Monday, April 27. However, if you are in New South Wales, Victoria, or Queensland, don't go hitting the snooze button just yet—there is no additional Monday holiday for you this year.

Retailers are operating under strict 'restricted trading' laws for the Saturday. Most major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths will remain closed until 1:00 PM in many jurisdictions to allow staff and the community to attend morning services. This isn't just about business; it's a legislative nod to the day's gravity. In Queensland, for instance, nearly all businesses must remain closed until the clock strikes one, while in NSW, the doors usually stay shut until 1:00 PM for all but the most essential small businesses.

What's interesting is the local nuance. While the big players follow the strict 1:00 PM rule, smaller independent grocers, pharmacies, and service stations often have the green light to open earlier. If you're flat out like a lizard drinking trying to organize a family BBQ, it's worth checking your local IGA or corner store rather than the big malls. By the afternoon, however, most major retailers and bottle shops like BWS or Dan Murphy's will be back in action, though likely with reduced trading hours.

Who's Involved

• State Governments: Responsible for determining whether a public holiday 'rolls over' to Monday.
• Major Retailers (Coles, Woolworths, Kmart): Adhering to restricted trading hours, generally opening after 1:00 PM.
• RSL Branches: Organizing the dawn services and marches that dictate the restricted morning hours.
• Hospitality Venues: Many pubs and RSL clubs will open early for Two-Up, provided they follow local licensing laws regarding alcohol service before noon.

What This Means

For Australians, this isn't just about a change in shopping hours; it's a logistical hurdle for a very solemn tradition. The lack of a uniform Monday holiday across all states often causes confusion for national businesses and remote workers. If you're in Sydney and your colleague in Perth is out of office on Monday, now you know why. It's a classic case of our federal system showing its quirks.

The impact on the 'hip pocket' is also real. Penalty rates will apply for those working on Saturday, and for those in WA and the ACT, Monday will also attract those higher rates. For small business owners, it's a balancing act: is the juice worth the squeeze to open on a day with high labor costs? Many choose to stay closed entirely to avoid the overheads and show respect for the day.

What to Expect

• Saturday, April 25: Most supermarkets closed until 1:00 PM. Public transport likely running on a Sunday or holiday schedule.
• Sunday, April 26: Standard Sunday trading hours resume for most retailers.
• Monday, April 27: Public holiday observed ONLY in WA and ACT. Normal work day for the rest of Australia.

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