Is Anzac Day Saturday or Monday? And what about shops, surcharges and pay?
Is Anzac Day Saturday or Monday? And what about shops, surcharges and pay?
As April approaches, Australians are looking toward the horizon to plan their long weekends and commemorative activities. However, the 2026 calendar presents a unique situation that has many asking: Is Anzac Day Saturday or Monday? Because April 25 falls on a Saturday in 2026, the way the public holiday is observed varies significantly depending on which state or territory you reside in. This discrepancy impacts everything from retail trading hours and cafe surcharges to employee pay rates and long weekend entitlements. Understanding these localized rules is essential for both business owners navigating compliance and workers looking to maximize their rest time during a month already packed with Easter festivities.
In 2026, Anzac Day falls on Saturday, April 25. While it is a national day of remembrance, the declaration of an additional public holiday on Monday, April 27, only occurs in Western Australia, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory. In Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory, the public holiday is observed only on the Saturday itself, meaning many Monday-to-Friday workers will not receive an extra day off. Retail trading remains heavily restricted across most of the country until 1:00 pm on Saturday to honor the solemnity of the occasion.
The Calendar Confusion: Saturday April 25 vs Monday April 27
The primary source of confusion for the 2026 Anzac Day period is the concept of "Mondayisation" or substitute holidays. Historically, different states have adopted different legislative approaches to public holidays that fall on weekends. For 2026, the national landscape is split. In New South Wales (NSW), Western Australia (WA), and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the government has gazetted Monday, April 27, as an additional public holiday. This means that for residents in these regions, both the Saturday and the Monday are treated as public holidays, providing a welcome three-day weekend for the majority of the workforce.
Conversely, the remaining states—Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory—maintain a more traditional stance. In these jurisdictions, Anzac Day is commemorated strictly on the day it falls: Saturday, April 25. There is no substitute or additional holiday provided on the following Monday. For employees who typically work a standard Monday-to-Friday roster, this results in the "loss" of a public holiday benefit, as the commemoration occurs on a day they are already rostered off. This distinction is vital for travel planning, as interstate visitors may find different service levels depending on their destination.
Retail Trading Restrictions: What Stays Open?
Anzac Day is considered one of the most sacred days on the Australian calendar, and as such, it is one of the few days with significant "restricted trading" laws. These laws are designed to ensure that the morning is kept quiet for dawn services and marches. Generally, most major retailers, including department stores and large supermarkets, must remain closed until at least 1:00 pm. However, there are significant exemptions for essential services. Pharmacies, service stations, and newsagents are typically allowed to trade throughout the day to ensure the community has access to medicine, fuel, and information.
The hospitality sector—comprising cafes, restaurants, and bars—usually enjoys more flexibility. Most states allow these businesses to open in the morning to serve the crowds returning from dawn services. Small businesses with a limited number of staff (often defined as fewer than 20 employees) also frequently fall under exemption categories, allowing them to trade while their larger competitors remain shuttered. It is always recommended that consumers check the specific hours of their local shops, as even "exempt" businesses may choose to open later out of respect for the veterans' community.
New South Wales: A Major Change in Trading Laws
Significant legislative shifts have occurred in New South Wales leading up to 2026. Under the Retail Trading Amendment (Anzac Day Trading Hours) Act 2024, the state has moved to enforce full-day trading restrictions for many non-exempt retail businesses. Previously, many large retailers in NSW could open after 1:00 pm. Now, large-scale department stores and major supermarket chains are prohibited from opening at any time on Saturday, April 25. This change was introduced to ensure that retail workers have the same opportunity as other citizens to participate in commemorative events throughout the entire day.
This "full-day" closure has met with a mixed response. While veterans' groups have lauded the move as a mark of proper respect, retail industry bodies have expressed concerns regarding the economic impact, particularly when combined with the costs of the additional public holiday on Monday. Small shops—those with four or fewer staff—remain exempt and can continue to trade, as can chemists and petrol stations. For the average shopper in Sydney or regional NSW, this means Saturday will feel much quieter than in previous years, with the bulk of commercial activity shifting to the additional holiday on Monday.
Understanding Public Holiday Pay Rates
For those required to work over the Anzac Day weekend, the financial rewards can be substantial, but the rules are complex. Under the Fair Work Act and various industry awards, working on a public holiday usually entitles an employee to penalty rates. The standard "double time and a half" (250%) is common for permanent full-time and part-time staff. Casual employees often see even higher rates, sometimes reaching 312.5% of their base pay, which includes their standard casual loading. These rates are a legal requirement unless a specific enterprise agreement states otherwise.
In states like NSW and WA where two holidays are recognized (Saturday and Monday), an employee working both days could potentially receive penalty rates for both shifts. However, for those in Victoria or Queensland, only the Saturday shift attracts the public holiday loading. If a permanent employee is usually rostered to work on the Saturday but is given the day off because the business is closed, they must be paid their base rate of pay for their ordinary hours. If the Saturday is their regular day off, they generally do not receive extra payment, which is a point of contention for many workers during years when Anzac Day falls on a weekend.
| State / Territory | Public Holiday Date(s) 2026 |
|---|---|
| NSW, WA, ACT | Saturday April 25 AND Monday April 27 |
| VIC, QLD, SA, TAS, NT | Saturday April 25 ONLY |
The 15% Surcharge: Why Your Coffee Costs More
If you head to a cafe for breakfast after a dawn service, you are likely to encounter a public holiday surcharge, typically ranging from 10% to 15%. This surcharge is a direct result of the high penalty rates mentioned earlier. For a small business owner, the cost of labor can triple on a public holiday. Without the surcharge, many cafes would actually lose money by opening their doors. Under Australian Consumer Law, businesses are permitted to apply these surcharges as long as they are clearly displayed on the menu or at the point of sale.
The surcharge must be transparent. If a cafe applies a 15% surcharge on Anzac Day, the menu must contain a clear statement such as "a 15% surcharge applies on public holidays." It is important to note that in states with the additional Monday holiday, you might see the surcharge applied on both Saturday and Monday. While some customers find the extra cost frustrating, it is often the only way local hospitality venues can remain viable while paying their staff the legally mandated rates for working on a day of national significance.
Hospitality vs. Retail: Different Rules for Different Sectors
The experience of Anzac Day varies wildly between a retail worker and a hospitality worker. In states like Victoria and NSW, the "restricted trading" window (usually until 1:00 pm) applies strictly to retail "shops"—places that sell physical goods. Hospitality venues like restaurants and cafes are generally exempt from these restrictions because they provide a service (the preparation of food and drink). This is why you can buy a latte at 7:00 am but cannot buy a new pair of shoes at a department store until the afternoon.
This distinction also extends to liquor retailing. In New South Wales, there has been ongoing debate regarding bottle shops. Most packaged liquor retailers are forced to close on Anzac Day morning, while pubs and clubs can trade and even sell takeaway alcohol if they hold the appropriate license. Industry groups like Retail Drinks Australia have called this "discriminatory," arguing that it targets small family-owned bottle shops while allowing larger hotels to profit. As 2026 approaches, these "equity" issues continue to be a hot topic for policy makers and business owners alike.
Rights for Workers: Can You Refuse to Work?
A common question during the April holiday period is whether an employer can force an employee to work on Anzac Day. Under the National Employment Standards (NES), all employees have the right to be absent from work on a public holiday. An employer can request that an employee work, but the request must be "reasonable." Conversely, an employee can refuse to work if their refusal is "reasonable." What constitutes "reasonableness" depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of the workplace, the employee's personal circumstances (such as family or religious commitments), and how much notice was given.
For Anzac Day specifically, personal significance plays a large role. An employee with a military background or family connections to the defense force may have a very strong case for a "reasonable refusal" to participate in commemorative services. Employers are generally encouraged to be flexible, allowing staff to attend dawn services or marches even if the business is open. In the 2026 context, where the holiday falls on a Saturday, the "reasonableness" test becomes even more relevant for those who don't typically work weekends but are asked to fill a shift due to the holiday demand.
Planning for the April "Leave Jackpot"
In 2026, Anzac Day falls just a few weeks after Easter (Good Friday is April 3). This proximity often leads to what many call the "April Leave Jackpot," where employees can use a small amount of annual leave to secure a very long break. In states with the Monday holiday (NSW, WA, ACT), the strategy is even more effective. By taking four days of leave between the weekends, workers can often enjoy a 10-day break. This surge in leave requests can be a challenge for business operations, requiring managers to plan rosters well in advance.
For employers, managing this period requires a balance between supporting staff well-being and maintaining service levels. It is a peak period for the tourism and hospitality industries, meaning they often need more staff, not fewer. Clear communication regarding leave application deadlines and expectations for public holiday availability is essential to avoid disputes. As Anzac Day is a time of reflection, many businesses also choose to hold internal commemorations or support veteran-owned charities, helping to build a positive workplace culture during this busy season.
Conclusion
Anzac Day 2026 is set to be a complex period for Australians to navigate. Because the date falls on a Saturday, the nation is divided on whether a long weekend exists, with only NSW, WA, and the ACT granting the additional Monday off. Retail trading remains strictly regulated, particularly in NSW where new laws mandate full-day closures for major shops. For workers, the weekend offers significant pay opportunities through penalty rates, though these costs are often passed on to consumers via cafe surcharges. Ultimately, whether you are attending a dawn service, working a shift, or enjoying a rare Saturday holiday, understanding the specific rules of your state is the key to a smooth and respectful Anzac Day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Monday, April 27, 2026, a public holiday everywhere in Australia?
A: No. It is only an additional public holiday in New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. In other states like Victoria and Queensland, the holiday is only observed on Saturday, April 25.
Q: Will supermarkets be open on Anzac Day 2026?
A: Most major supermarkets will be closed until 1:00 pm across Australia. In New South Wales, many large supermarkets may be required to stay closed for the entire day due to updated trading laws.
Q: Why do I have to pay a 15% surcharge at cafes on Anzac Day?
A: Cafes apply surcharges to cover the significantly higher labor costs (penalty rates) they must pay to staff working on a public holiday. This is legal as long as it is clearly disclosed on the menu.
Q: Do casual employees get paid if they don't work on Anzac Day?
A: No. Casual employees are generally only paid for the hours they actually work. If they do not work on the public holiday, they do not receive any payment.
Q: What are the trading hours for bottle shops on Anzac Day?
A: Trading hours vary by state, but most bottle shops are restricted from opening until at least 1:00 pm. In some regions, they may face stricter closures than pubs or restaurants.
Is Anzac Day Saturday or Monday? And what about shops, surcharges and pay?
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