Lexi Webster
In Australia, Daylight Saving Time (DST) is observed differently across various states and territories. While some regions, including New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory, participate in DST, others like Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory opt out. The practice of DST has evolved over the years, with some states adopting it during World War I and II, and others like Tasmania reintroducing it in 1967 due to a drought. The dates for DST also vary, with clocks typically moving forward by one hour at 2 am on the first Sunday of October and moving back at 3 am on the first Sunday of April.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When do clocks change in Australia? | Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins at 2 am local time on the first Sunday in October when clocks are put forward by one hour. It ends at 2 am (3 am DST) on the first Sunday in April when clocks are put back by one hour. |
| Which states observe DST? | New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, Norfolk Island, and Lord Howe Island. |
| Which states do not observe DST? | Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory, and other external territories. |
| History of DST in Australia | Australia first observed DST in 1916 during World War I. It was applied in all states and territories by federal law under the defence power in section 51 of the constitution. In 1967, Tasmania became the first state since the wars to adopt DST annually due to a drought. Other states followed in 1971, except for Queensland and Western Australia. |
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What You'll Learn
When do clocks change in Australia?
In Australia, clocks change twice a year, with the transition to and from Daylight Saving Time (DST). DST begins at 2 am on the first Sunday of October, when clocks are put forward by one hour. It ends at 3 am on the first Sunday of April, when clocks go back by one hour.
DST is currently observed in the Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Norfolk Island and Jervis Bay Territory also observe DST. However, it is not followed in Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and other external territories.
Lord Howe Island, located about 600 kilometres northeast of Sydney, follows a unique DST schedule. While the island's DST schedule is in sync with the rest of Australia, the clocks only go forward by 30 minutes, from UTC+10:30 to UTC+11.
The history of DST in Australia dates back to World War I, when it was first implemented across all states and territories by federal law. After the war, DST was discontinued until 1942, when it was reinstated during World War II. In subsequent years, the adoption of DST varied across the states, with some states and territories choosing not to observe it.
Over time, the start and end dates of DST in Australia have been adjusted. For example, in 2000, eastern jurisdictions that typically observe DST, such as New South Wales and Victoria, started DST early due to the Sydney Summer Olympics. Similarly, in 2006, these states delayed returning to Standard Time by a week because of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
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States that observe Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is currently observed in the Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). These jurisdictions change their clocks in the summer, turning them forward one hour to DST. DST begins at 2 am (AEST) on the first Sunday in October and ends at 3 am (Australian Eastern Daylight Time or AEDT) on the first Sunday in April.
New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, and Tasmania move from AEST to AEDT, UTC +11. South Australia and the New South Wales town of Broken Hill move from ACST to Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT), UTC +10.50.
Lord Howe Island, located about 600 kilometres northeast of Sydney, is also in sync with the rest of Australia regarding DST. However, the clocks only go forward by 30 minutes, from UTC+10.30 to UTC+11.
Other Australian jurisdictions, including the states of Queensland and Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Australia's other external territories, do not observe DST. Queensland abandoned DST in 1972, and Western Australia has not adopted it since a trial period from 2006 to 2009 was abandoned due to its unpopularity.
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History of Australia's Daylight Saving Time
The history of Australia's Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a long and varied one. The country first observed DST in 1916 during World War I as a fuel-saving measure, with Tasmania becoming the first state to use it on 2 October 1916. The measure was applied across all states and territories in 1917 but was repealed in 1918.
DST was reintroduced during World War II from 1942 to 1944. After the war, DST was not observed in any Australian state or territory until 1 October 1967, when Tasmania brought it back during a drought. In 1971, the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland followed Tasmania's lead, though Queensland abandoned DST the following year.
Western Australia has also had a complex relationship with DST, conducting a trial from 2006 to 2009 that was ultimately abandoned due to unpopularity. Queensland has also had a mixed response to DST, with regional areas particularly opposed to its implementation.
Today, DST is observed in the Australian states of New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, Norfolk Island, and Lord Howe Island, which is 600 kilometres northeast of Sydney. DST usually begins at 2 am on the first Sunday of October and ends at 3 am on the first Sunday of April, with clocks being turned forward or backward by one hour.
It is worth noting that each state and territory has the autonomy to decide whether or not to use DST, and Australian dependencies do not utilise it.
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Time changes in Sydney, New South Wales
Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, observes Daylight Saving Time (DST) or Summer Time. This means that during the warmer months, clocks are moved forward by one hour to 3 am, so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. This allows for better use of natural daylight and can help reduce energy usage. In 2023, DST started on Sunday, October 1, at 2 am and ended on Sunday, April 2, at 3 am.
In 2025, DST will start on Sunday, October 5, at 2 am and end on Sunday, April 6, at 3 am. This means that on October 5, 2025, at 2 am clocks will be turned forward by one hour to 3 am local daylight time, and on April 6, 2025, at 3 am clocks will be turned backward by one hour to 2 am local standard time.
It's worth noting that not all states in Australia participate in DST. Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory do not observe DST, while New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory do.
To adjust to the time shift, it's recommended to make gradual bedtime changes, such as adjusting your bedtime by 15 minutes each night before the transition. Additionally, setting your clocks to the new time before going to bed can help kickstart your day and avoid timing issues.
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Why clocks change in Australia
Australia has observed Daylight Saving Time (DST) for 64 years between 1916 and 2025. DST was first implemented in Canada in 1908, and since then, many countries across the world have tested out DST. Currently, 70 countries observe DST in some form.
In Australia, DST was first observed in 1916 during World War I as a way to try to reduce energy usage. Tasmania became the first state in Australia to use DST on 2 October 1916, and the measure was applied in all Australian states and territories in 1917. It was removed in the whole country in 1918. Seasonal change was reintroduced during World War II, when it was used from 1942 to 1944. After the war, DST was not observed in any Australian state or territory until 1 October 1967, when Tasmania reintroduced it during a drought.
In 1971, the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland followed Tasmania. However, Queensland abandoned DST in 1972, and it has not been in use since, except for a trial from 1989 to 1992. Western Australia also conducted a DST trial from 2006 to 2009 but abandoned it due to its unpopularity.
Today, Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory do not observe DST. For the rest of Australia, DST begins at 2 am (AEST) on the first Sunday in October and ends at 3 am (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) on the first Sunday in April. During DST, clocks are set forward by one hour, providing more daylight in the evenings and less in the mornings. When DST ends, clocks are set back by one hour, resulting in more daylight in the mornings and less in the evenings. This adjustment aims to allow people to enjoy outdoor activities during the longer summer days and avoid wasting daylight hours by sleeping through them.
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Frequently asked questions
Clocks change in Australia at 2 am on the first Sunday of October when they are put forward by one hour. They are then put back by one hour at 3 am on the first Sunday of April.
No, only some parts of Australia use Daylight Saving Time (DST). DST is currently observed in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, and Norfolk Island. Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and other external territories do not observe DST.
DST was first used in Australia during World War I, when it was applied in all states.
The most recent change to DST in Australia occurred in 2009 when Western Australia abandoned DST after a trial from 2006 to 2009.
Yes, the clocks in Lord Howe Island change, but they only go forward by 30 minutes from UTC+10.30 to UTC+11.
