It's that time of the year again! Sure, it's a little scary how fast the year's flown by – but if it means daylight savings is just around the corner, we’re not complaining. Well, at least those of us in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT (sorry, NT, QLD and WA peeps).
Here’s everything you need to know about daylight savings in Australia, including when to turn your clocks forward. And yes, we know it’s technically daylight saving – but let’s be real, most of us add an ‘s’ on the end in everyday conversation, so don't @ us.
When does daylight savings end in Australia?
We know you’re all searching this right now, and yes, it’s a bit confusing, but daylight savings actually isn't ending – it's about to begin in Australia! In short: October to April = daylight savings time, April to October = standard time.
When does daylight savings start 2025?
Daylight savings kicks off on the first Sunday of October at 2am local time. In 2025, this falls on Sunday, October 5 – so you'll lose an hour of sleep that night when our clocks wind forward, with 2am turning into 3am daylight savings time. However, we’d trade losing an hour of sleep for an extra hour of evening sunlight any day of the week. Bring on the sunset picnics!
What is daylight savings?
Daylight savings was first introduced in 1916 to save energy during World War I and II. By shifting the clock forward an hour, soldiers could take advantage of longer sunlight hours and increase productivity. While all Australian states and territories observed daylight savings during the wars, Tasmania made it a permanent fixture in 1968. New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and the ACT followed suit in 1971.
When do the clocks change for daylight savings?
Your smartphone will surely do the job for you, but if you still use an old-school alarm or need to reset your grandfather clock, remember to move your analogue clocks and watches forward by one hour on Sunday, October 5. We’d suggest doing it the night before so you’re not late for your Sunday morning coffee date.
Which Australian states use daylight savings?
Daylight savings is observed in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Norfolk Island. However, Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands don’t change their clocks for daylight savings. Keep this in mind if you’re hopping between states or planning a FaceTime with an interstate mate.
How does daylight savings affect time zones in Australia?
Some Australian time zones have a different UTC offset and time zone name for daylight savings time (DST), including:
- Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) – UTC +10.30 (ACT, NSW, VIC, TAS)
- Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT) – UTC +11 (SA)
- Lord Howe Daylight Time (LHDT) – UTC +11 (Lore Howe Island)
When does daylight savings end 2026?
Daylight savings ends on Sunday, April 5, 2025, gifting you an extra hour of sleep as our clocks wind back one hour.