The hours a retail shop can be open for trading depends on the type of shop it is and its location. There are also extended trading rules for opening on public holidays and around Christmas.
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
The trading hours for general retail shops in the Perth area have changed for the following public holidays.
| Public holiday | Trading hours |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day - Wednesday 1 January | 8.00am to 6.00pm |
| Australia Day - Monday 27 January | 8.00am to 6.00pm |
| Labour Day - Monday 3 March | 8.00am to 6.00pm |
| Easter Monday - Monday 21 April | 8.00am to 6.00pm |
| Western Australia Day - Monday 2 June | 8.00am to 6.00pm |
| King's Birthday - Monday 29 September | 8.00am to 6.00pm |
General trading hours
Trading hours for general retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area are shown below.
Retail shops can be open within the set 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
Retail shops do not have to be open at these times it is the choice of the shop managers.
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 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 selling vehicle fuel. Filling station trading hours are deregulated in all areas. This means they can be open at any time.
Details about specific fuel stations, their opening hours and fuels they sell see FuelWatch.
They are also restricted in what non-fuel products they can sell outside general retail shop trading hours. The list of the goods able to be sold are prescribed in section 11 of the regulations.
For information and advice about product restrictions contact the retail trading hours team on (08) 6251 1406
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. This means they can open at any time:
- restaurants,
- cafes,
- takeaway food shops,
- short-term markets (set up and dismantled in one day), and
- shops on Rottnest Island.
General traiding hours for regional/non-metropolitan area
General retail shops outside of the Perth metropolitan area can open:
- 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
Some regional local government authorities (LGAs) have permanent Regional trading hours variations.
LGAs can apply for extended trading hours for general retail shops in their area. Please contact the retail trading hours team on (08) 6251 1406 for more information.
Extended trading permits
Extended trading permits are available under certain conditions. For example, swapmeets, trade fairs and industry expos. Please contact the retail trading hours team on (08) 6251 1406 for more information.
Further information
The Retail Trading Hours Act 1987 applies to retail shops south of the 26th parallel in Western Australia. It sets the trading hours and rules for the different types of retail stores.
Contacts for help and advice
- Retail trading hours:
Phone: (08) 6251 1406
Email: retailtradinghours@demirs.wa.gov.au - Retail shop leases:
Small Business Development Corporation
Phone: 133 140
info@smallbusiness.wa.gov.au - Wages:
Wageline (a free and confidential service for employment information)
Phone: 1300 655 266
Email: labourrelations@demirs.wa.gov.au