Ruqayyah Snyder
In Australia, Daylight Saving Time (DST) is observed in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Jervis Bay Territory, and Norfolk Island. DST begins at 2 am on the first Sunday of October, when clocks are put forward by one hour. DST ends at 2 am (3 am daylight saving time) on the first Sunday of April, when clocks are put back by one hour. Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory do not observe DST. Lord Howe Island, located about 600 km northeast of Sydney, follows DST but only puts the clocks forward by 30 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When do the clocks go forward? | 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday in October |
| When do the clocks go backward? | 2:00 a.m. (3:00 a.m. daylight saving time) on the first Sunday in April |
| Which states observe daylight saving time? | New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, and Norfolk Island |
| Which states do not observe daylight saving time? | Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Australia's other external territories |
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What You'll Learn
Daylight Saving Time (DST) in Australia
In the Australian summer, the states that observe DST turn their clocks forward by one hour. DST begins at 2 am on the first Sunday of October and ends at 3 am on the first Sunday of April. The states that observe DST move from Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) to Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), UTC +11. South Australia and the New South Wales town of Broken Hill move from Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) to Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT), UTC +10.5.
The history of DST in Australia dates back to World War I, when it was first applied in all states. It was used again during World War II from 1942 to 1944. After the war, DST was not observed in any state or territory until 1967, when Tasmania reintroduced it during a drought. In 1971, the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland followed Tasmania in adopting DST, although Queensland abandoned it in 1972.
There have been debates and trials regarding DST in various states, particularly in Queensland and Western Australia. Queensland abandoned DST in 1972 but conducted a trial from 1989 to 1992. Western Australia also conducted a trial from 2006 to 2009, but it was not continued due to unpopularity.
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States that observe DST
In Australia, the choice of whether to use DST is a matter for the governments of the individual states and territories. During World War I and World War II, all states and territories used DST under federal law.
The following states and territories currently observe DST:
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Australian Capital Territory
- Jervis Bay Territory
- Norfolk Island
Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory do not observe DST. Queensland abandoned DST in 1972, and Western Australia and the Northern Territory have never adopted it. Western Australia conducted a DST trial from 2006 to 2009, but it was abandoned due to its unpopularity. Queensland and Western Australia have occasionally used DST during trial periods and special events, such as the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
DST in the observing states and territories starts on the first Sunday of October and ends on the first Sunday of April. Clocks are turned forward by one hour at 2:00 am local standard time to 3:00 am local daylight time. This results in more daylight in the evenings and less in the mornings.
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States that don't observe DST
In Australia, Daylight Saving Time (DST) is not observed in the states of Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. These states do not adjust their clocks for DST, and they do not gain or lose an hour during the time changes in April and October.
Queensland abandoned DST in 1972 and, except for a trial from 1989 to 1992, it has not been in use since. Western Australia has also conducted trials of DST, including a three-year trial from 2006 to 2009, but these have been abandoned due to unpopularity.
The inconsistent adoption of DST across Australia's states has resulted in the mainland's three standard time zones increasing to five time zones during the summer months. This inconsistency has led to some states having different daylight saving schedules, with Tasmania, for example, starting DST earlier than other states due to its southern latitude.
Lord Howe Island, located about 600 kilometres northeast of Sydney, observes DST differently from the rest of Australia. The island's clocks only move forward by 30 minutes, from UTC+10:30 to UTC+11, during DST.
It is worth noting that DST schedules can change, and some states have debated or trialled the use of DST over time. Ultimately, each Australian state and territory has the autonomy to determine whether or not to implement DST.
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History of DST in Australia
Australia first observed Daylight Saving Time (DST) in 1916. On October 2, 1916, during World War I, Tasmania became the first state in Australia to use DST. The measure was applied in all Australian states and territories in 1917, but it was removed in the entire country in 1918.
Seasonal change was reintroduced during World War II, from 1942 to 1944. After the war, DST was not observed in any Australian state or territory until October 1, 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 with the exception of a trial from 1989 to 1992, it has not been in use since.
Western Australia conducted a DST trial from 2006 to 2009, but it was abandoned due to its unpopularity. Four referendums in 1975, 1984, 1992, and 2009 rejected DST in Western Australia. The 2009 referendum rejected DST by a larger margin than the previous three referendums.
Tasmania, being more southern, starts DST earlier, on the first Sunday in October, and ends on the last Sunday in March. The Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia started DST on the last Sunday in October and ended on the first Sunday in April. However, since 2009, Western Australia has been on standard time all year round.
As a result of the inconsistent adoption of DST, the mainland's three standard time zones increase to five time zones during the Australian summer. South Australia diverges from the Northern Territory, and the time in the southeastern states diverges from Queensland.
In summary, DST in Australia has a history of adoption and removal, with some states and territories observing it while others do not. The inconsistent adoption has led to an increase in time zones during the summer months.
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When DST clocks change in 2025
In 2025, Daylight Saving Time (DST) or Summer Time will be observed in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. DST will begin at 2:00 am on Sunday, 5 October 2025, when clocks will be turned forward by one hour to 3:00 am local daylight time. This change will result in more light in the evening and less light in the morning.
DST will end at 3:00 am on Sunday, 6 April 2025, when clocks will be turned backward by one hour to 2:00 am local standard time. This change will lead to more morning light and less evening light.
It is worth noting that DST is not observed in all Australian states and territories. Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory do not participate in DST. Additionally, Lord Howe Island, located about 600 kilometres northeast of Sydney, observes a unique DST schedule. While the island's DST schedule is generally in sync with the rest of Australia, the clocks only adjust by 30 minutes, moving from UTC+10:30 to UTC+11.
The practice of DST aims to make better use of natural daylight during the warmer months and can help reduce energy consumption by decreasing the need for artificial lighting in the evening. Adjusting clocks can impact sleep patterns and daily routines, so gradual adjustments to bedtime and early clock changes are recommended for a smooth transition.
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Frequently asked questions
In Australia, the clocks change twice a year. On the first Sunday of October, clocks are put forward one hour at 2 am to mark the start of Daylight Saving Time (DST). On the first Sunday of April, clocks go back one hour at 3 am to mark the end of DST.
DST is observed in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Norfolk Island.
Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Australia's external territories do not observe DST.
DST was first used in Australia during World War I and was used again during World War II. It was reintroduced in Tasmania in 1967 due to a drought and has been used every summer since.
