Trading hours

The trading hours of shops in Queensland are regulated by way of the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 (PDF, 450 kB), supported by the Trading (Allowable Hours) Regulation 2004 (PDF, 204 kB) and various trading hours orders made by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. Generally, the minimum allowable trading hours throughout Queensland are:

8.00am to 9.00pm Monday to Friday; and
8.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday (extended hours may apply in certain areas)

Different extended trading applies on Sunday and certain public holidays. Refer to our non-exempt shops resource page for the current hours of trade.Hours of trade will depend on the classification of shops. Shops are mainly classed as:

Exempt shops;
Independent retail shops; or
Non-exempt shops.

Exempt shops
Retail shops that are exempt predominantly sell goods by retail, or for supplying services, that a reasonable person would expect to be sold or supplied in such shops. Trading hours of exempt shops are totally unrestricted. Find out if you are an exempt shop. Independent retail shops
Independent retail shops are generally 'small' retailers who have unlimited trading hours provided they meet certain criteria. Certain trading hours restrictions apply on specific public holidays. Independent retail shops are predominantly food and/or grocery shops. Find out if you are an independent retail shop. Non-exempt shops
Shops not classified as exempt or independent retail shops are classified as non-exempt. Queensland has a number of areas where extended trading applies on Sundays and certain public holidays. Anzac day non-trading hours
Factories and shops in Queensland are required to close on Anzac Day (25 April each year). Find out which type of shops and venues are allowed to open on Anzac Day.

Approval and issue of retail trading hours

The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission has the jurisdiction to decide trading hours in excess of the minimum allowable hours. Industrial organisations or other organisations may apply to the Commission for an extension of trading hours for non-exempt shops in a particular locality or state-wide. The Commission in making its decisions may consider issues such as locality, the needs of the tourist industry and the interests of the public, consumers and business. In line with this process, the Commission has approved trading on Sundays and certain public holidays in a number of areas in Queensland.

Special displays or exhibitions

The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission may grant trading hours and conditions for holding special displays or exhibitions. Examples of special displays and exhibitions include home shows, electronic shows, office equipment expos and business expos.

Advertising for business outside lawful trading hours

It is illegal to advertise that a shop will be open outside the hours permitted by the Act or an Order of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

Offices

Under the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 Section 4 meaning of terms, the definition of a "'shop" includes "any office". An office means a place where any person is employed, directly or indirectly to perform work of a clerical nature; or to perform, or to assist in the performance of, work of a professional nature.The definitions under the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 of non-exempt shops, independent retail shops and exempt shops exclude an office. On Good Friday and 25 December Christmas Day offices are not required to be closed. Offices must be closed for the whole of Anzac Day 25 April, however there are some exceptions to this. Offices are not required to be closed on the Labour Day public holiday.

Last updated: 11 June 2008