Key Points
- Several states have alcohol restrictions on Good Friday.
- Trading restrictions are also in place over the four day long weekend.
- Most supermarkets will be closed on Good Friday.
This year Good Friday will fall on 29 March, beginning a four-day long weekend across the country.
For Christians, the day symbolises when Jesus Christ was crucified, with Easter Sunday marking the day of his resurrection. Easter Monday maintains significance in some Christian traditions.
Many businesses will have changed opening hours over the Easter long weekend, particularly those that sell alcohol, which fall under old trading limits.
Here is a list of what will and won’t be open between 29 March and 1 April, to avoid disappointing surprises.
Nearly all major supermarkets across the country are closed on Good Friday. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett
Good Friday trading hours
All Woolworths locations in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania will be shut, with most stores closed across the rest of the country.
Coles stores nationwide will be shut except for two stores in South Australia.
Aldi, Big W and Bunnings stores will also be closed.
Restrictions apply on alcohol sales for some states, while in South Australia, ACT and Tasmania, there are no limits for the public holiday.
In Queensland and Western Australia no takeaway alcohol can be sold and venues can only sell alcohol to patrons who also buy a meal.
In NSW takeaway alcohol sales are banned (with some exceptions for breweries and distilleries) and licensed venues are only allowed to serve on premises between 12pm and 10pm.
In Victoria, bottle shops will be closed while licensed venues can serve alcohol from midday until 1am the following day.
The Northern Territory also bans takeaway alcohol sales on Good Friday.
Some states and territories have restrictions on alcohol sales over the Easter long weekend. Source: AAP
Easter Saturday trading hours
Most major supermarkets, including Aldi, as well as many retailers will be open across the country.
Woolworths says all stores will be open except some Metro stores in NSW, QLD and VIC and Coles says stores are open but some will have restricted trading hours.
Most supermarkets will be open on Easter Saturday and Sunday. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Easter Sunday trading hours
In NSW, Easter Sunday is a restricted trading day, meaning businesses cannot open unless they have obtained an exemption, which places such as chemists and petrol stations usually do.
In South Australia, retail trading is restricted to the Adelaide CBD only and only between 11am and 5pm.
In Western Australia, retail trading is restricted to the Perth metropolitan area only and only between 11am and 5pm.
In Queensland, retailers anywhere can only trade between 9am and 6pm.
Easter Monday trading hours
While the day is recognised as a public holiday, there are no trading restrictions in states other than Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, which follow the same rules as Easter Sunday.
