Are Op Shops Open on Public Holidays? (2026)

Are op shops open on public holidays? It depends on the store and the day. There’s no single rule. Some close on all public holidays; others open with reduced hours on some (for example Easter Saturday but not Christmas Day). The only reliable way to know is to check the specific op shop or chain.

This guide explains what usually happens and how you can find out for your local store. For general opening times, see our guide on op shop opening hours.

Why opening varies

Op shops are run by charities and rely on volunteers. On public holidays, many volunteers aren’t available, and labour costs can be higher. So stores commonly close or open for shorter hours on days like Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday.

Some open on other public holidays (Australia Day, King’s Birthday) with normal or reduced hours. Each organisation sets its own policy. Don’t assume the CBD Salvos and the suburban Vinnies down the road share the same holiday roster.

How to check if your op shop is open

Before you travel, check the store’s current information:

• Store website or Facebook – many op shops post holiday trading hours.
• Phone the store – a quick call can confirm whether they’re open on a specific public holiday.
• Chain websites – for Vinnies, Salvos, Red Cross and others, the main charity site commonly has a store locator with hours or a note about public holidays.
• Our directory – use the locations hub to find the branch, then confirm hours on the charity site.

Don’t assume that because one op shop in your area is open, the one next door is. Opening can differ even between branches of the same chain. For a list of stores near you, see best op shops in your city.

General guide (patterns only, not a guarantee)

Use this as a rough guide only, never as a promise that a particular store will be open:

• Usually closed: Christmas Day and Good Friday, when most op shops shut entirely.
• Commonly closed or reduced: Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Anzac Day morning; some open later in the day with shorter hours.
• Many open: Australia Day, Labour Day and the King’s Birthday, commonly with normal or slightly reduced hours.

These are general patterns across Australia, and they vary by state, charity and individual branch. Always confirm with the store you plan to visit. So if you’re planning a Boxing Day furniture haul, call the warehouse Salvos the day before rather than trusting a Facebook comment from last year.

State holiday differences worth checking

Queensland Labour Day, WA Foundation Day and Melbourne Cup Day are public holidays in some states only. A Vinnies in Brisbane can close while a Sydney store stays open on the same calendar date. Regional stores follow local volunteer rosters, not national headlines.

Don’t leave donation bags outside closed shops on holiday weekends. Use in-store drop-off the first trading day back, or a labelled bin that isn’t full. Boxing Day sees mixed trading: some warehouse Salvos open for sales; boutique charity shops commonly stay shut.

If you’re travelling interstate over a long weekend, check both the destination state’s public holiday list and the specific branch. It’s a five-minute check that saves a wasted trip.

Planning around the big holiday weekends

Christmas and Easter are the hardest windows for op shopping. Almost all stores close Christmas Day, and Good Friday is one of the most common closure days. Easter Saturday is often a safer bet if you want to browse over that long weekend.

But if you’re hunting furniture or kids clothes after Christmas clean-outs, the first mid-week trading day back can be excellent for donations hitting the floor. Pair that plan with when op shops restock and best day to go op shopping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Op shops may or may not be open on public holidays. Check the store’s website, social media, or call ahead. That way you avoid a wasted trip and can plan your op shopping around days when they’re trading.

Sources: See also www.acnc.gov.au for baseline Australian guidance.

Browse all locations to compare suburbs in your state.

By Op Shops Hub Team