Non-exempt shops
The Queensland Government has referred the state's industrial relations powers for the private sector to the Commonwealth from 1 January 2010.
As from this date all employers and employees, with the exception of state and local government, are covered by the national industrial relations system administered by the Commonwealth Government.
All enquiries should, in the first instance, be directed to:
- Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94
- Fair Work Australia
Shops not classified as independent retail shops or exempt shops are classified as non-exempt. The trading hours for non-exempt shops are regulated by the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 (PDF File, 450KB) (PDF, 450kB) and by Orders made by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.
Allowable trading hours
Generally, allowable trading hours throughout Queensland are:
- 8.00am to 9.00pm Monday to Friday (extended hours may apply in certain areas)
- 8.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday (extended hours may apply in certain areas).
Sunday and public holiday trading
Queensland has a number of areas where extended trading applies on Sundays and/or certain public holidays. These include:
| Area | Sundays | Certain public holidays |
| South-East Queensland Area (this area extends north to Noosa, south to Coolangatta and west to Gatton and includes the Sunshine Coast Area, the Brisbane Statistical Division, the town of Beaudesert and the Gold Coast Area). | 9.00am to 6.00pm | 9.00am to 6.00pm |
| Area of New Farm of Inner City of Brisbane | 7.00am to 9.00pm | 7.00am to 9.00pm |
| Cairns Tourist Area, Townsville Tourist Area, Mossman and Port Douglas Tourist Area, Whitsunday Shire Tourist Area, Hervey Bay Area, Moranbah Area, Cooloola Cove Area, The City of Rockhampton Area, City of Toowoomba. The Mackay Area, The Innisfail Area, The Emerald Area, The Tablelands and The Gladstone Area. | 9.00am to 6.00pm | 8.30am to 5.30pm |
| Townsville and Thuringowa Area (excluding the Townsville Tourist Area) | 11.00am to 6.00pm | 8.30am to 5.30pm |
| Yeppoon Tourist Area | 10.30am to 5.30pm | 8.30am to 5.30pm |
| Tourist and/or Seaside Resorts | N/A | 8.30am to 5.30pm |
| Supermarkets located in the town of Port Douglas | 7.00am to 6.00pm | 7.00am to 6.00pm |
| Supermarkets located in the Gold Coast Coastal Tourist Area | 8.00am to 8.00pm | 8.00am to 8.00pm |
| Supermarkets located in the in Cairns CBD Area | 9.00am to 9.00pm | 8.30am to 5.30pm |
Closure and non-trade
Non-exempt shops cannot trade on Good Friday, 25 April, Labour Day and 25 December.
Additionally, non-exempt shops in the South-East Queensland Area must close on Easter Sunday.
Hardware stores
Non-exempt hardware stores and builder material supply stores are also permitted to trade on Sundays.
Shopping centre tenants
Shopping centre tenants in South-East Queensland are protected from being forced to trade on Sundays and public holidays. For information on core trading hours that may apply in some shopping centres, tenants should contact Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT)
Address
Level 9
259 Queen Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Postal address
GPO Box 1639
Brisbane QLD 4001
Phone
1300 753 228
Fax
+61 7 3247 4758
Voluntary work provisions for retail workers are provided for in the Voluntary Work - Extended Trading Hours - Non-Exempt Shops - Award - State. This award can be accessed via the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission website.
Easter, Anzac and Labour Day trading
Different extended trading hours' arrangements apply for retail shops over the Easter, Anzac and Labour Day period.
Christmas trading
Special trading hours' arrangements apply for retail shops over the Christmas and New Year period each year. The extended trading relates to various areas throughout the State for the four Sundays prior to Christmas day and the period 18 to 24 December each year.
All non-exempt shops throughout the State will be closed on 25 December each year.
Role of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission
The 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.