If you’ve just moved to Australia or are visiting for the first time, especially coming from the Philippines or any country where shops stay open until late, you might be surprised (and frustrated) to find the streets quiet and stores closed by 5 or 6pm.
It’s a culture shock for many, especially for Filipinos used to 24/7 convenience stores, midnight supermarket runs, and late-night mall strolls. But in Australia, particularly outside major city centres, early shop closing times are part of daily life.
Understanding the “why” behind this, and learning how to adjust your routines, can save you time, stress, and even a missed dinner.
Photo by Dominic Kurniawan Suryaputra on Unsplash
Why do Aussie shops close early?
1. Work-life balance matters.
One of the biggest reasons shops close early in Australia is the strong cultural value placed on work-life balance. Many workers, including shop staff, are entitled to fixed hours and expect to finish their shifts on time.
Unlike in many Asian or Middle Eastern countries where long business hours are normal and even work on unpaid overtimes, Aussies tend to prioritise family, rest, and personal time after work.
2. Wages and penalty rates.
Another reason is economics. Labour in Australia is expensive, and after-hours shifts often require businesses to pay extra due to “penalty rates”—an additional cost for working outside normal hours, especially on Sundays and public holidays. For smaller businesses, staying open late simply isn’t worth it.
3. Urban planning and culture.
Unlike in countries with late-night markets or 24-hour public transport, most Australian suburbs are designed around a “daytime” lifestyle.
4. Shops cater to working hours, with evenings meant for home life. Public transport also tends to reduce frequency after peak hours, reinforcing the early closure habit.
What time do shops really close?
While hours can vary, here are common closing times:
- Supermarkets (Woolworths, Coles, Aldi): Open until 9pm in metro areas, but many regional stores close by 7pm
- Shopping centres: Most close at 5:30 or 6pm (except Thursdays with late trading until 9pm)
- Small grocers, bakeries, butchers: Often close between 5–6pm
- Bottle shops (liquor stores): Close by 9–10pm
- Restaurants and takeaways: Varies by location, but kitchens may close by 8–9pm
- Pharmacies: Some stay open until 9pm, but many shut at 6pm
Sundays and public holidays usually have even shorter hours—some shops won’t open at all.
Adjusting your grocery and shopping schedule
If you’re used to doing groceries or errands in the evening, you’ll need to make adjustments. Here’s how:
1. Shop during the day or early evening. Aim to shop before 6pm, especially for essentials. If you’re working full-time, Thursday nights (known as “late night shopping”) are your best bet, when malls stay open until around 9pm.
2. Use your weekends wisely. Plan your weekly grocery run on a Saturday morning, as Sunday hours can be reduced. Many families do their “big shop” over the weekend for this reason.
3. Know your local opening hours. Metro areas like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane have more options, including 24/7 petrol stations with basic groceries. But in regional towns, expect things to close earlier and with fewer options.
4. Buy in bulk or plan meals. Stock up on pantry essentials and frozen goods so you’re not caught out. Meal planning helps reduce midweek store runs.
Where to go for essentials after hours
Even when most shops close, there are still ways to grab necessities. Here are your alternatives:
Petrol stations and convenience stores
Most petrol stations are open late or 24/7. They sell basic items like milk, bread, snacks, and even some pantry goods. Look for chains like 7-Eleven, BP, OTR, Caltex, or Metro.
Large supermarkets in metro areas
In cities, some Woolworths or Coles branches operate until 9pm, and a handful in major hubs like Melbourne Central or Sydney’s Town Hall area stay open even later.
Asian or ethnic grocers
In multicultural suburbs (e.g., Cabramatta in NSW, Footscray in VIC, or Inala in QLD), many Asian grocers stay open later than mainstream stores—until 7 or 8pm—and are open even on public holidays. These can be great places for Filipinos to buy familiar items like sinigang mix, toyo, and rice.
Online grocery delivery
Coles and Woolworths offer home delivery or click-and-collect services, letting you shop any time of day. Independent services like HelloFresh or Filipino-specific stores like FilStop or Pinoy Store Australia also offer delivery of pantry staples and frozen goods.
Pharmacies with late hours
While not all pharmacies are open late, some Chemist Warehouse and Priceline branches in urban areas are open until 9pm. Use their store locator tools to find one nearby.
Why shops close late on Thursdays?
You might wonder why of all days shops extend business hours later on Thursdays? Thursday nights are considered the designated “late night shopping” evening in most Australian cities and towns. This tradition started decades ago to accommodate people who worked standard Monday-to-Friday jobs and couldn’t shop during normal hours.
By extending shopping hours until 9pm, businesses could tap into a larger market while still protecting workers’ rest on other nights. As a result, many Australians plan their errands, bigger grocery runs, or family shopping trips around Thursday nights, making it a uniquely busy evening in otherwise quiet retail landscapes.
Tips for Filipino families and newcomers
Don’t wait until the last minute. If you’re used to shopping after work, it’s easy to assume stores will still be open. They won’t be. If you finish work at 5pm, head straight to the store.
- Use lunch breaks for quick errands. Many shops are quieter around midday, especially in smaller suburbs.
- Keep a pantry of essentials. Always have rice, noodles, canned goods, and cooking oil at home—just in case.
- Join local Facebook groups. You’ll often find fellow kababayans sharing which shops stay open later, or offering carpooling tips for weekend market trips.
- Buy fresh produce from weekend markets. Farmers markets usually operate Saturday mornings and are great for fresh fruit, veggies, meat, and baked goods at better prices.
Final thoughts
Living in Australia means embracing a different rhythm—one where people finish work, shops close early, and evenings are meant for home, family, and rest. For many Filipinos, this can be a big adjustment from the always-busy lifestyle of Manila, Davao, or Cebu.
But with a little planning, it becomes manageable—and even enjoyable. You’ll learn to shop smarter, rest earlier, and perhaps even appreciate the calm evenings Australia offers. As the locals say: no stress, mate.
By understanding the reasons behind early closing hours and knowing where to go for your essentials, you’ll save yourself from frustration—and those last-minute empty-fridge panics.