Queensland’s property industry is bracing for disruption as Anzac Day 2026 falls on Saturday, traditionally the busiest day for open houses and auctions.
The Queensland Government’s Transactions Act prohibits estate agents from selling properties on Anzac Day, including preparatory work for sales and auctions, according to Ray White Metro North industry veteran Ashley Robinson. A real estate office may be opened solely to handle rental transactions.
“Agents can’t really do anything on Anzac Day, and that includes making and receiving sales calls,” Mr Robinson said.
Unlike other states, Queensland does not have an additional public holiday on the following Monday.
The auction will be subject to changes as Anzac Day falls on a Saturday. (AAP: Dan Himbrecht)
Ray White’s Robinson said he expects many open houses and auctions to be held next Sunday or next Saturday. Agents needed to be prepared to respond around Anzac Day, especially given the current booming market.
”“In the grand scheme of things, it’s only one day, so I don’t think it will have a huge impact,” he said. “It’s just a matter of being prepared.””
REIQ chief operating officer Kat Beavon told the ABC that while property sales are off-limits on any Anzac Day day, including Saturday or Sunday, rental activity is off-limits.
“Our advice to real estate agents operating on Anzac Day is to ensure that their sales staff do not come into the office or perform any tasks remotely, such as hosting open houses and auctions, or even responding to emails and phone calls related to property sales,” Ms Bevon said.
REIQ’s Kat Beavon said property sales were “off limits” on Anzac Day. (Provided by: REIQ)
This will ensure that agents comply with the Trading Hours Act, which prohibits agents from conducting property sales operations on Anzac Day.
Commenting on the decision not to recognize an additional public holiday on Anzac Day, Prime Minister David Crisafulli said it was important people kept the day “sacred” and paused to reflect on its meaning.
“It’s about making sure we honor these service members, and I think it’s important to do that on that day,” Crisafulli said.
Brisbane auctioneer David Holmes of Holmes & Company said April is traditionally one of the busiest months, but with Anzac Day falling on a Saturday, he had not seen any major problems rescheduling the auction.
Holmes said agents will likely move the auction to a weekday or Sunday.
He said improvements in technology have eliminated the need for auctions to be held on-site, allowing people to bid online from anywhere.
Estate agents are preparing for a quiet Anzac Day, but many cafes and small shops are expected to face heavier opening costs due to holiday penalty charges. Small shops and cafes are exempt from Anzac Day trading restrictions but must pay extra for staff.
Other exempt retailers include antique shops, newsagents, bakeries, butchers and petrol stations.
Cafes face higher labor costs during public holidays such as Anzac Day. (ABC Radio Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe)
Coffee Commune founder Phil Di Vera said on Anzac Day cafes would have to pay double the normal weekend penalty rate for half an hour.
Di Vera, whose business supplies coffee beans to more than 2,000 cafes, said holiday penalties needed to be reconsidered given the growing number of hospitality establishments closing due to rising costs.
“At the end of the day, we’re not saying you should pay your employees less, but the more you pay them, the more you have to charge them for goods and services.”
he said.
“It all comes down to what the consumer can afford to pay. Consumers can’t afford to pay $10 for a cup of coffee, but if you want to make the money cafe owners used to make, you have to go from $8 to $10 for a cup of coffee.”
Phil Di Vera said the cafe is struggling with labor costs. (ABC News: Jemima Burt)
Di Bella said Coffee Commune’s 40 staff have the same pay stubs as the 130 staff he employed at his previous job, Di Bella Coffee, nine years ago.
“By this metric, wages have increased by 300 percent,” he said. “If wages continue to rise, prices will rise, and if prices rise, wages must also rise.
“This is the first time that everything has gone up at once, including utilities, packaging, shipping, and insurance.”
Di Vera said overall cafe industry revenue was down 15-20% in February.
“One in 10 cafes closed last year, and the average hospitality industry made just 3% of profits last year,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Blasey has been contacted for comment.