Daylight savings may seem like a simple concept: times get adjusted to make better use of daylight during the longer days in summer. However, as is so often the case in Australia, there are varying practices across the different states and territories.
Don’t worry we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about daylight savings Australia - no matter which part of the country you’re in.
In Australia, daylight savings is a twice-early shift in time across selected states and territories. The states and territories that participate, move clocks forward one hour in spring, and back one hour in Autumn. The purpose of this is to maximise natural light and avoid working when it is dark.
Daylight savings time (DST) is observed in some states and territories, but not all. Those that observe DST, do so from the first Sunday in October through to the first Sunday in April each year. Those that do not observe DST have no changes to their times throughout the year.
Wondering what day/time daylight savings kicks in in your city or state? We’ve got a complete breakdown of every state, territory and capital city in Australia.
Queensland does not observe daylight savings. This means that the clocks remain unchanged throughout the year. Queensland operates in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) which is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 10 hours (UTC +10).
Brisbane and the rest of Queensland do not observe Daylight Savings Time (DST). This means the times do not change throughout the year. Brisbane currently observes Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) which is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 10 hours (UTC +10).
In New South Wales daylight savings begins at 2 am Eastern Standard Time on the first Sunday in October. In 2024 this is Sunday the 6th of October. At this time clocks are moved forward by one hour meaning 2 am will become 3 am.
At the end of daylight savings (first Sunday of April) clocks will move back an hour across NSW. In 2025 this will be on Sunday 6th April. On this day 3 am will become 2 am.
In Sydney and the rest of NSW, daylight savings commences on the first Sunday in October. In 2024 this is Sunday the 6th of October. At this time clocks are moved forward by one hour meaning 2 am will become 3 am.
At the end of daylight savings (first Sunday of April) clocks will move back an hour across Sydney. In 2025 this will be on Sunday 6th April. On this day 3 am will become 2 am.
Victoria observes Daylight Savings Time (DST) from the first Sunday in October. In 2024 this is Sunday the 6th of October. At this time clocks are moved forward by one hour meaning 2 am will become 3 am.
At the end of daylight savings (first Sunday of April) clocks will move back an hour across Victoria. In 2025 this will be on Sunday 6th April. On this day 3 am will become 2 am.
In Melbourne and the rest of Victoria, daylight savings commences on the first Sunday in October. In 2024 this is Sunday the 6th of October. At this time, clocks are moved forward by one hour meaning 2 am will become 3 am.
At the end of daylight savings (first Sunday of April) clocks will move back an hour across Melbourne. In 2025 this will be on Sunday 6th April. On this day 3 am will become 2 am.
ACT observes Daylight Savings Time (DST) which means from the first Sunday in October clocks will move forward by one hour. In 2024 this is on Sunday 6th October. On this day 2 am will become 3 am.
Daylight savings in ACT ends on the first Sunday of April meaning clocks will go back by one hour. In 2025 this will happen on Sunday the 6th of April at which time 3 am will become 2 am.
In Canberra and the rest of ACT, Daylight Savings Time (DST) commences on the first Sunday in October. In 2024 this will land on Sunday the 6th of October at which time clocks will move forward by one hour and 2 am will become 3 am.
Daylight savings in Canberra finishes on the first Sunday in April. In 2025 this will be Sunday the 6th April at which time the clocks will move back by one hour and 3 am will become 2 am.
Western Australia does not observe Daylight Savings Time (DST). This means the times do not change throughout the year. Western Australia currently observes Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) which is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 8 hours (UTC +8).
Perth and the rest of WA do not observe daylight changes. This means there are no changes to the time throughout the year. Perth currently observes Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) which is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 8 hours (UTC +8).
Broome and the rest of WA does not observe daylight changes. This means there are no changes to the time throughout the year. Broome currently observes Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) which is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 8 hours (UTC +8).
The Northern Territory (NT) does not observe Daylight Savings Time (DST). This means times remain unchanged throughout the year and there is no need to adjust clocks like in other states and territories. NT currently observes Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) which is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 8 hours (UTC +9:30).
Darwin and the rest of the NT do not observe Daylight Savings Time (DST). This means times remain unchanged throughout the year. Darwin observes Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) which is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 8 hours (UTC +9:30).
Alice Springs and the rest of the NT do not observe Daylight Savings Time (DST). This means times remain unchanged throughout the year. Alice Springs observes Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) which is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 8 hours (UTC +9:30).
Daylight savings in Tasmania (TAS) commences on the first Sunday of October. On this date clocks will move forward by one hour and 2 am will become 3 am. In 2024 this Daylight Savings Time (DST) comes into effect on Sunday 6th October.
Daylight savings in TAS ends on the first Sunday of April meaning clocks will go back by one hour. In 2025 this will happen on Sunday the 6th of April, at which time 3 am will become 2 am.
In Hobart and the rest of Tasmania daylight savings come into effect on the first Sunday of October. On this date clocks will move forward by one hour and 2 am will become 3 am. In 2024 Daylight Savings Time (DST) comes into effect on Sunday 6th October.
In Hobart DST ends on the first Sunday of April meaning clocks will go back by one hour. In 2025 this will happen on Sunday the 6th April at which time 3 am will become 2 am.
South Australia observes Daylight Savings Time (DST) which means clocks will move forward by one hour on the first Sunday of October. This change comes into effect at 2 am (2 am becomes 3 am) In 2024 this date is Sunday 6th of October.
Daylight savings in SA ends on the first Sunday of April meaning clocks will go back by one hour. In 2025 this will happen on Sunday the 6th of April at which time 3 am will become 2 am.
In Adelaide and the rest of South Australia Daylight Savings Time (DST) applies. This means clocks will move forward by one hour on the first Sunday of October. This change comes into effect at 2am (2am becomes 3am). In 2024 this date is Sunday 6th October.
In Adelaide DST ends on the first Sunday of April meaning clocks will go back by one hour. In 2025 this will happen on Sunday the 6th April at which time 3am will become 2am.
Daylight savings were initially introduced as a strategy for saving energy back in World War 1. It was then reintroduced throughout World War 2 and has been a part of Australian timekeeping ever since.
While most parts of Australia participate in daylight savings to some degree, the practice is not uniform in the slightest. Each state and territory has its own policies on the matter which has led to a mis-match of time zones across the country.
In Australia, daylight savings kicks in at 2am on the first Sunday of October. The time moves forward one hour meaning 2 am becomes 3 am. On this day of the year participating states and territories effectively ‘lose’ one hour of sleep or time.
In Australia, daylight savings ends at 3 am on the first Sunday in April. The time moves back one hour meaning 3 am becomes 2 am. On this day of the year, participating states and territories effectively ‘gain’ one hour of sleep or time.
Sunday, 6 October 2024 marks the beginning of daylight savings for participating states and territories. Clocks will be moved forward one hour from 2 am to 3 am.
Sunday 7th April 2024 marked the end of Daylight Savings Time (DST), and clocks were moved back one hour from 3am to 2am.
Most digital clocks such as your phone, computer or apple watch will automatically update themselves. However traditional watches, ovens and other household appliances may require a manual change.
Australia is divided into three separate time zones:
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
Australian Central Standard Time (ACST)
Australian Western Standard Time (AWST)
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) applies to Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
AEST is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 10 hours (UTC +10)
Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) is applied in South Australia, the town of Broken Hill in western New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
ACST is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 9.5 hours (UTC +9.5)
Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) covers the state of Western Australia.
AWST is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 8 hours (UTC +8)
New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania move from AEST to Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), UTC +11.
South Australia and Broken Hill move from ACST to Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT), UTC +10.5.
Standard Time: AEST (UTC +10:00)
DST Time: AEDT (UTC +11:00)
Standard Time: AEST (UTC +10:00)
DST Time: AEDT (UTC +11:00)
Standard Time: ACST (UTC +09:30)
DST Time: ACDT (UTC +10:30)
Standard Time: AEST (UTC +10:00)
DST Time: AEDT (UTC +11:00)
Standard Time: AEST (UTC +10:00)
No DST Adjustment
Standard Time: AWST (UTC +08:00)
No DST Adjustment
Standard Time: ACST (UTC +09:30)
No DST Adjustment
There is still much debate about the benefits of daylight savings. While much of Australia does not adhere to the practice, the decision to observe DST comes down to regional preferences and conditions.
Over recent years there has been much discussion around abolishment of daylight savings however, there are no clear plans to do so any time soon.
So, save this article for a quick and easy reference to daylight savings in your area and around Australia.
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