Christmas and New Year period trading hours
Our office will be closed from 11am Friday 21st December 2018 and reopen on Monday 7th January 2019.
Limited monitoring of emails will occur during this period. If you wish to contact us during this time. please contact us at info@northadvisory.com.au.
On behalf of the team at North Advisory, we wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
We look forward to working with you in 2019 and thank you for your continued support. Read more Financial Industry articles.
About the author
Cayle Petritsch - Director & Wealth Advisor
Cayle Petritsch, Director and Wealth Advisor, works with our existing clients who have recognised the importance of business owners making strategic financial choices not only for their company, but for their personal finances too.
Cayle saw a great opportunity to expand North Advisory’s services into SMSF/superannuation, personal wealth management, asset protection services and other crucial personal finance facets that business owners need to consider.
His approach to wealth management allows you to receive highly personalised wealth advice. Working closely with Marius, Cayle understands the unique needs of every client, from their lifestyle and business goals to their retirement plans.
Key Takeaways
Trading-hour rules over Christmas/New Year are not uniform nationally — they depend on state/territory legislation.
Businesses operating in multiple jurisdictions must navigate local rules carefully.
Large retailers often face stricter holiday restrictions; small or exempt shops have more leeway.
This distinction influences staffing, opening hours, and operational planning during the festive period.
Christmas Day is typically a mandatory closure day for many retailers; New Year’s Day may also carry restrictions depending on location.
Planning around these days is essential to avoid penalties or labour-law breaches.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do all retailers have the same trading-hour rules over Christmas and New Year?
No. Trading-hour rules depend on the state or territory, and often on the type/size of retailer. Large retailers may be restricted on public holidays, while small or exempt shops may face fewer constraints.
Are shops allowed to trade on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day?
Generally, most shops — especially large retailers — must remain closed on Christmas Day. New Year’s Day may also have restrictions, though rules vary by jurisdiction and retailer type.
Can small or independent retailers trade when larger stores are restricted?
Yes. In many jurisdictions exempt or “independent” shops have more flexibility and may trade even when larger, regulated retailers are required to stay closed.
Do trading restrictions apply only on the holiday dates, or also around them (e.g. Boxing Day, or the days before/after)?
Restrictions primarily apply on public holidays (e.g. Christmas Day, maybe New Year’s Day). Other festive-season days like Boxing Day or the days before Christmas Eve tend to follow standard or extended trading-hour rules, depending on state legislation.
What should a business do to ensure compliance over the festive period?
Businesses should check the applicable state/territory retail-trading laws, confirm whether they classify as exempt or regulated retailers, and plan staff rosters and trading hours accordingly — especially for public holidays.
Do I need to change payroll and trading hours rules during the Christmas and New Year period?
During the Christmas and New Year period, payroll and trading hours can change significantly, so I should check award and enterprise agreement requirements before rostering staff. Many awards have specific provisions for public holidays, overtime and penalty rates over the festive season, and failing to apply them correctly can lead to underpayments or compliance issues — so it’s important to review the relevant rules before finalising schedules.
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