Leslie Massey
Australia uses three main time zones: Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), Australian Central Standard Time (ACST), and Australian Western Standard Time (AWST). Western Australia observes AWST, which is UTC+08:00. Some towns in Outback Western Australia follow UTC+09:30, and a handful of towns in the southeast of the state observe a compromise between Western and Central time (UTC+08:45). Western Australia does not observe daylight savings, so the time difference between it and other Australian states varies depending on the time of year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time Zone | Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) |
| UTC | UTC+08:00 |
| Daylight Saving Time | Not Observed |
| Compromise Time Zone | Central Western Standard Time (UTC+08:45) used in some areas |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia is 8 hours ahead of GMT
Australia uses three main time zones: Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), Australian Central Standard Time (ACST), and Australian Western Standard Time (AWST). Western Australia observes AWST, which is UTC+08:00, or 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Western Australia does not observe daylight saving time (DST). In the Australian summer, other states like New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia turn their clocks forward one hour to DST. However, Western Australia abolished DST in 2009, keeping AWST or UTC+08:00 all year round.
The lack of DST in Western Australia creates some interesting time differences within the country. During the summer, Sydney is one hour ahead of Brisbane, despite being further west. The time difference between Western Australia and the eastern states also affects the timing of Federal elections, with polls in Western Australia closing two to three hours after those in the east.
There are some variations within Western Australia itself. A small area in the southeast of the state, including towns like Eucla and Cocklebiddy, observes an unofficial compromise between Western and Central time (UTC+08:45). Some outback towns, such as Blackstone and Warakurna, follow UTC+09:30 instead of the standard UTC+08:00 for the state.
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The state does not observe Daylight Saving Time
Western Australia is one of the three states in the Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) zone, which is UTC+08:00. The state is sandwiched between the Northern Territory, which observes Australian Central Standard Time (UTC+09:30), and South Australia, which follows Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT; UTC+10:30).
Western Australia does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). It was the only state to use DST from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March, but it abolished the custom in 2009. The decision came after a referendum in 2009, which saw 54.57% of voters reject DST—the highest percentage across four referendums held on the issue in 1975, 1984, 1992, and 2009. Each referendum was preceded by a trial period during which the state observed DST.
The non-observance of DST in Western Australia means that the state has a two- or three-hour head start on federal elections, with polls closing earlier than in the eastern states.
A compromise between Western and Central time (UTC+08:45, without DST), unofficially known as Central Western Standard Time, is used in one area in the southeastern corner of Western Australia and one roadhouse in South Australia. Towns east of Caiguna on the Eyre Highway, including Eucla, Cocklebiddy, Madura, Mundrabilla, and Border Village, follow Central Western Standard Time. A number of small towns in Outback Western Australia also follow UTC+09:30 rather than UTC+08.
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Some towns in Outback Western Australia follow UTC+09:30
Western Australia follows the Australian Western Standard Time (AWST), which is UTC+08:00. The state does not observe daylight saving time (DST).
However, some towns in Outback Western Australia follow UTC+09:30. These towns include Blackstone, Irrunytju, Warakurna, Wanarn, Kiwirrkurra, and Tjukurla. This is because, historically, each local city or town was free to determine its local time, known as local mean time.
In addition, a few towns in the southeastern corner of Western Australia, including Border Village, Eucla, Madura, and Mundrabilla, follow a compromise between Western and Central time, UTC+08:45, without DST. This time is unofficially known as Central Western Standard Time.
The time in Australia is regulated by individual state governments, and some jurisdictions observe DST. DST is observed in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Jervis Bay Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory, which switch to Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time (AEDT; UTC+11:00). South Australia switches to Australian Central Daylight Saving Time (ACDT; UTC+10:30).
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Western Australia shares a time zone with nearby South Australia and the Northern Territory
Australia uses three main time zones: Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST); UTC+10:00, Australian Central Standard Time (ACST); UTC+09:30, and Australian Western Standard Time (AWST); UTC+08:00. Time is regulated by individual state governments, with some observing daylight saving time (DST).
Western Australia is the only state that does not observe DST. It shares a time zone with nearby South Australia and the Northern Territory. This time zone is known as AWST or UTC+08:00.
In the Australian summer, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT turn their clocks forward one hour to DST. However, Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory do not observe DST, creating a situation where Sydney is one hour ahead of Brisbane, despite being further east.
An interesting note is that a compromise between Western and Central time (UTC+08:45, without DST), unofficially known as Central Western Standard Time, is used in one area in the southeastern corner of Western Australia and one roadhouse in South Australia. Towns east of Caiguna on the Eyre Highway, including Eucla, Cocklebiddy, and Mundrabilla, follow "CWT" instead of Western Australian time. Additionally, a few small towns in Outback Western Australia follow UTC+09:30 rather than UTC+08.
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The Indian Pacific train has its own time zone
Australia uses three main time zones: Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) (UTC+10:00), Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) (UTC+09:30), and Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) (UTC+08:00). Time is regulated by individual state governments, some of which observe daylight saving time (DST). Western Australia does not observe DST, having abolished it in 2009.
The Indian Pacific is a renowned experiential tourism-oriented passenger train service that traverses Australia's east-west rail corridor. It connects Sydney on the Pacific Ocean and Perth on the Indian Ocean, offering a transcontinental journey without a break in gauge. The train's name symbolises the two oceans it encounters, the Indian and the Pacific.
The train journey covers a spectacular 4352-kilometre crossing, traversing mountain ranges, arid deserts, goldfields, rocky valleys, and subtropical savannahs. Passengers can opt for the Red Service, featuring dual-berth shared sleeper cabins or airline-style 'sit-up' seats. The train also offers a motorail service, allowing passengers to transport their motor vehicles between Adelaide and Perth.
The Indian Pacific train's unique time zone, "train time", ensures a seamless travel experience for passengers as they traverse the vast Australian landscape, providing a consistent time reference during their journey.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia is eight hours ahead of GMT.
Australian Western Standard Time (AWST).
No, Western Australia does not observe DST.
