Australians are preparing for that familiar yearly ritual — adjusting their daylight savings clocks as the nation’s time zones prepare to shift again this weekend. From 2am Sunday, October 5, 2025, residents in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT (including Norfolk Island) will move their clocks forward by one hour to mark the start of Daylight Saving Time (DST).
Which States Change Their Clocks
The daylight savings clocks change only affects the southeastern and southern states. Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory will remain on standard time, meaning they won’t touch their clocks at all.
This yearly adjustment often leads to confusion across Australia’s “unhinged” patchwork of time zones — a term used humorously by News.com.au to describe the country’s complex and sometimes frustrating clock rules.
Here’s a quick breakdown for October 2025:
- NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT: Move clocks forward one hour from 2am to 3am.
- South Australia and Broken Hill (NSW): Move clocks forward 30 minutes (from 1:30am to 2:30am).
- Queensland, NT, and WA: No changes.
When the change takes effect, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, and Canberra will be an hour ahead of Brisbane and two hours ahead of Perth.
Why Australia’s Time Zones Are So “Unhinged”
Australia operates on three main time zones, but during daylight saving, that number expands to five — creating what experts call a “time zone tangle.”
For example, when it’s 8am in Perth, it’s 10am in Brisbane, 11am in Sydney, and 10:30am in Adelaide. Add in Lord Howe Island’s unique 30-minute offset, and it’s no wonder people find themselves double-checking their watches before making cross-country calls.
Travelers often describe the system as “chaotic,” especially those flying between the east and west coasts. Airlines have already issued reminders urging passengers to check their tickets and flight schedules carefully, as daylight savings clocks can cause confusion for early-morning flights.
How to Update Your Clocks
Most modern digital devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and smartwatches, will automatically adjust to daylight saving time overnight. However, older analog clocks, car dashboards, wall clocks, and appliances may need to be changed manually.
To avoid missing early appointments, experts recommend updating any manual clocks before going to bed on Saturday night. This ensures you wake up on the correct time Sunday morning.
“The best way to remember is the old saying: spring forward, fall back,” says meteorologist and timekeeping expert Dr. Leah Morgan. “In spring, we move our clocks forward by one hour, and in autumn, we move them back.”
What Daylight Saving Means for You
The shift to daylight savings clocks means longer evenings and more daylight after work — something many Australians welcome for barbecues, beach trips, and outdoor activities. Businesses such as restaurants and event venues often see an increase in evening traffic during the summer months.
However, not everyone is a fan. Critics argue that daylight saving disrupts sleep patterns, particularly for children and shift workers. Health experts also note that the transition can temporarily affect mood and concentration as people adjust their body clocks.
In 2025, the daylight saving period will end on Sunday, April 6, 2026, when clocks are turned back one hour to return to standard time.
A Divided Nation on Daylight Saving
While daylight saving remains popular in the southern states, Queensland and Western Australia continue to resist adopting it, citing minimal benefit and public opposition.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles reiterated this stance earlier this year, saying the tropical state’s lifestyle doesn’t require extra evening sunlight. “Queenslanders love their early mornings, and we don’t see a reason to change that,” he said.
Meanwhile, tourism operators in Sydney and Melbourne see daylight savings clocks as a major economic advantage, attracting more outdoor events and longer business hours during the summer season.
If you live in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, or the ACT, don’t forget to set your daylight savings clocks forward by one hour before going to sleep on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
For everyone else — including Queensland, WA, and the NT — it’s business as usual.
So whether you’re heading out early for a flight, catching up with interstate friends, or planning your morning coffee, make sure your clocks are ready — because Australia’s “time zone madness” is back once again.
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