For many years, the SDA Queensland Branch has fought against the push for complete deregulation of trading hours, similar to Victoria and NSW, where most retailers can trade 24/7 except on Christmas Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day.
Under existing laws in Queensland, large retailers (known as non-exempt stores, such as Woolworths and Coles) may trade:
- Mon – Sat: from 7am-9pm (6am for hardware stores)
- Sun: from 9am-6pm (6am-9pm for hardware stores)
*in some areas in Queensland, allowable trading hours vary, and may be more or less restrictive.
In contrast, small and independent retailers with fewer than 30 employees in-store, and less than 100 state-wide, (exempt stores) can trade without restriction.
In 2017, a review of trading hours led to standardisation across many zones and eased some restrictions. That review also included a five-year moratorium on further changes. With the moratorium now expired, employer groups are again making application for extended trade in some regions.
However, the SDA opposes this because feedback from our members raises significant concerns including:
- More staff being required to work unsociable hours.
- Rosters that interfere with family and caring responsibilities.
- Staff being “spread thinner” across longer trading days, increasing workloads during peak periods.
- No evidence that longer hours increase total sales as customers still have the same amount of money to spend.
- Negative impacts on small retailers, who may lose trade to large chains.
In fact, during the trading hours moratorium, there were several applications for extended trade due to special events, such as the Commonwealth Games, in tourist areas.
After these events, during which all retailers were permitted to trade, the SDA surveyed our members, and the responses largely indicated that:
- There were no or few additional shifts or extra hours available;*
- Stores were quiet during extended hours;*
- Many stores who were now allowed to open for extended hours, opted to keep their normal opening hours. *
These experiences show that Queenslanders simply don’t demand extended shopping hours and workers shouldn’t have their lives disrupted for little or no benefit.
The SDA will soon survey members again to gather updated views on trading hours. This feedback will guide how we respond to future attempts by employer groups to extend allowable trading hours.
No matter what, the SDA will always put members first. If the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) implements changes to trading hours, we will fight for strong employee protections ensuring no worker is ever forced to work additional hours and that extra shifts remain strictly voluntary.
Queenslanders have shown time and again that they don’t need or want round-the-clock shopping, but retail workers always pay the price when hours are extended. The SDA will continue to stand firm, listening to members, defending family time, and fighting to ensure that any changes protect workers first.