What’s Actually Open on Christmas Day Across Australia This Year
With Christmas just around the corner, many Australians are finding themselves asking the same practical question: what’s actually open on Christmas Day? While the festive mood is everywhere, trading hours tell a very different story. Across the country, most major retailers shut their doors for the day, leaving shoppers to navigate a mix of closures, limited services, and state-by-state rules that can feel confusing if you’re not prepared.
In the lead-up to Christmas, supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths are running extended or normal hours right through Christmas Eve. However, once Christmas Day arrives, almost all major supermarket chains are closed nationwide. It’s only a handful of convenience stores and petrol stations that are expected to remain open, mainly to cover essential, last-minute needs. By Boxing Day, most supermarkets reopen, although Adelaide metro stores remain an exception, with closures continuing there while regional outlets resume trading.
Liquor shopping follows a similar pattern. Stores such as Dan Murphy’s, BWS, and Liquorland are generally open on Christmas Eve, giving people one final chance to stock up. On Christmas Day itself, nearly all liquor stores are closed, with only a few limited exceptions in parts of Victoria and Tasmania. Normal trading resumes on Boxing Day, though opening times can vary depending on location.
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Retail shopping options are also extremely limited on Christmas Day. Big-name stores like Kmart, Target, Big W, and Officeworks are all closed, and major shopping centres, including Westfield locations, do not open their doors. On Christmas Eve, many centres close earlier than usual, typically between 5 and 6pm, before reopening on Boxing Day, sometimes with extended evening hours.
Hardware stores follow the shutdown as well. Bunnings stores operate on Christmas Eve, with varying hours, but every location is closed on Christmas Day. Trading resumes from Boxing Day onwards, although hours can differ, and trade centres remain closed for an extended period.
Banks are another service Australians can’t rely on over Christmas. All major bank branches are closed on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Payments made on public holidays are usually processed on the next business day, although instant payment services like PayID and Osko are expected to continue working as normal.
Medical services remain available, though in a limited form. After-hours clinics, home-visiting doctors, emergency dental services, and some pharmacies continue operating on Christmas Day. For anything serious, hospitals and emergency services remain fully operational.
The key takeaway is simple: Christmas Day in Australia is largely a shutdown day. Planning ahead, checking local store hours, and stocking up early can save a lot of stress and ensure the holiday stays focused on celebration rather than last-minute panic.
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