Daylight Saving Time 2026 — Australia

Australia observes Daylight Saving Time in the Southern Hemisphere summer — clocks spring forward in October and fall back in April. In 2026, DST starts October 4 and ends April 5, 2026 (beginning of the 2025–2026 DST period).

2026 DST Dates

Clocks Spring Forward
October 4, 2026
First Sunday in October — clocks spring forward 1 hour at 2:00 AM AEST → 3:00 AM AEDT
Clocks Fall Back
April 5, 2026
First Sunday in April — clocks fall back 1 hour at 3:00 AM AEDT → 2:00 AM AEST
Rule: First Sunday in October → First Sunday in April (NSW, VIC, ACT, TAS) · Third Sunday in October (SA)

Daylight Saving Time in Australia — Details

Which Australian states observe DST?

New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC), Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Tasmania (TAS), and South Australia (SA) observe Daylight Saving Time. Queensland (QLD), Western Australia (WA), and the Northern Territory (NT) do not observe DST and remain on standard time year-round.

Australian time zones during DST

During DST: AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) = UTC+11 — NSW, VIC, ACT, TAS. ACDT (Australian Central Daylight Time) = UTC+10:30 — South Australia. Queensland uses AEST (UTC+10) year-round. WA uses AWST (UTC+8) year-round.

Why does South Australia start DST a week later?

South Australia transitions on the third Sunday in October (not the first), so it starts DST one week after NSW, VIC, ACT, and TAS. This means there is a brief window each October where South Australia is at a different offset from its eastern neighbours.

How does Australian DST affect calls with the US or UK?

During Australian DST (October–April), Sydney (AEDT, UTC+11) is 16 hours ahead of New York (EST) and 11 hours ahead of London (GMT). When Australia is in summer time and the Northern Hemisphere is in winter standard time, the time gaps are at their widest.

Frequently Asked Questions — DST Australia 2026

When does daylight saving time start in Australia in 2026?
Australian DST for the 2026–2027 period starts on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 2:00 AM AEST in NSW, VIC, ACT, and TAS. Clocks move forward to 3:00 AM (AEDT, UTC+11).
When does daylight saving time end in Australia in 2026?
The 2025–2026 Australian DST period ends on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Clocks fall back from 3:00 AM AEDT to 2:00 AM AEST.
Does Queensland observe daylight saving time?
No. Queensland does not observe DST and stays on AEST (UTC+10) year-round. This creates a 1-hour difference with NSW/VIC during Australian summer.
Does Western Australia observe daylight saving time?
No. Western Australia (Perth) stays on AWST (UTC+8) year-round. WA held a referendum on DST in 2009 and voted against adopting it.
What time zone is Sydney in during summer (DST)?
Sydney is on AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Time, UTC+11) during DST from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April.
DST dates sourced from IANA Time Zone Database and official government announcements.