Rahul Somvanshi
The days are getting cooler, and that means daylight saving time in Australia is coming to an end. On Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 3:00 AM, clocks will turn back to 2:00 AM in states that observe daylight saving.
Which States Observe Daylight Saving?
Only five Australian jurisdictions observe daylight saving time:
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Christmas Island, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands don’t change their clocks.
What Happens When Daylight Saving Ends?
When daylight saving ends, you’ll gain an extra hour of sleep as clocks go back from 3:00 AM to 2:00 AM. Modern smartphones and digital devices will adjust automatically, but you’ll need to manually change analog clocks, watches, and appliances like microwaves and ovens.
This time change will make mornings brighter but evenings darker. This could affect your daily routine, especially outdoor activities and commutes.
Time Zone Changes
After daylight saving ends, Australia will return to standard time zones:
- Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): UTC +10 (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart)
- Australian Central Standard Time (ACST): UTC +9:30 (Adelaide, Darwin)
- Australian Western Standard Time (AWST): UTC +8 (Perth)
History of Daylight Saving in Australia
Daylight saving was first introduced during World War I as an energy conservation measure. It was discontinued but reintroduced during World War II for the same reasons.
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Tasmania made daylight saving permanent in 1968, with New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and the ACT following in 1971.
When Will Daylight Saving Return?
Daylight saving will return on Sunday, October 5, 2025, which is the first Sunday of October. This pattern continues each year, with daylight saving ending on the first Sunday of April and starting on the first Sunday of October.
Why Sunday?
The legislation doesn’t explicitly state why changes always happen on Sundays, but it’s likely to minimize disruption to weekday school and business schedules. This doesn’t account for weekend workers or night shift employees.
Daylight Saving vs. Seasons
While many associate daylight saving with summer (NSW legislation refers to it as the “summer time period”), the April end date actually falls in autumn, with winter not officially starting until June 1. This can create confusion as daylight saving extends well into autumn but doesn’t cover the early weeks of spring.
International Differences
Daylight saving varies internationally:
- USA: Starts second Sunday of March, ends first Sunday of November
- UK: Starts last Sunday of March, ends last Sunday of October
Terminology: Saving or Savings?
Technically, it’s “daylight saving time” without an “s” at the end of “saving.” However, many Australians conversationally use “daylight savings” instead. Google Trends shows “daylight savings” is searched much more frequently than the technically correct term.
