A state-by-state guide to 2018’s Christmas trading hours and public holidays

As business owners are running around trying to get everything done before Christmas, it can be easy to forget what days are public holidays and what ones aren’t, as the Christmas period is one of the times of the year where the most public holidays fall.

It becomes even more important for those in the retail world, as a public holiday will mean higher rates of pay for your staff, and could even come with specific trading restrictions, depending on your state.

This year, both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Tuesday, meaning retailers won’t have to worry about ‘in lieu’ public holidays which would occur if they fell on a weekend day. And remember, staff members are entitled to public holidays relating on where they are based for work, not on where they are physically working.

Here are all the days in each state that are considered public holidays according to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Australian Capital Territory

• Tuesday, 25 December — Christmas Day
• Wednesday, 26 December — Boxing Day
• Tuesday, 1 January — New Year’s Day

New South Wales

• Tuesday, 25 December — Christmas Day
• Wednesday, 26 December — Boxing Day
• Tuesday, 1 January 2019 — New Year’s Day

Northern Territory

• Tuesday, 25 December — Christmas Day
• Wednesday, 26 December — Boxing Day
• Tuesday, 1 January 2019 — New Year’s Day

Queensland

• Tuesday, 25 December — Christmas Day
• Wednesday, 26 December — Boxing Day
• Tuesday, 1 January 2019 — New Year’s Day

South Australia

• Monday, 24 December — Christmas Eve (from 7pm to midnight)
• Tuesday, 25 December — Christmas Day
• Wednesday, 26 December — Boxing Day/Proclamation Day
• Monday, 31 December — New Year’s Eve (from 7pm to midnight)
• Tuesday, 1 January 2019 — New Year’s Day

Tasmania

• Tuesday, 25 December — Christmas Day
• Wednesday, 26 December — Boxing Day
• Tuesday, 1 January 2019 — New Year’s Day

Victoria

• Tuesday, 25 December — Christmas Day
• Wednesday, 26 December — Boxing Day
• Tuesday, 1 January 2019 — New Year’s Day

Western Australia

• Tuesday, 25 December — Christmas Day
• Wednesday, 26 December — Boxing Day
• Tuesday, 1 January 2019 — New Year’s Day

NOW READ: Christmas retail planning in full swing: What you can do to prepare your business

NOW READ: As the Christmas crunch approaches, do customers know when your business is open?