SYDNEY – Daylight saving time will end in parts of Australia on Sunday, 5 April 2026 at 3am AEDT, when clocks move back one hour to 2am across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
The change affects timekeeping, public transport timetables, school and court start times, as well as rosters and appointments across five jurisdictions, while Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory will not adjust clocks and will remain on standard time.
What time the change takes effect
– Date and time: Sunday, 5 April 2026, 3am AEDT, when clocks turn back to 2am.
– Recurrence: The practice ends on the first Sunday of April each year and returns on the first Sunday of October under state and territory daylight saving legislation.
The shift briefly alters the time difference between the south-eastern states and the rest of the country, which can affect inter‑state travel, broadcast schedules and national service hotlines.
States and territories changing clocks
– Moving clocks back one hour on 5 April 2026: New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory.
– Not changing clocks: Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory.
Daylight saving is governed by state and territory laws rather than a single national standard. In New South Wales, for example, the start and end dates are set by the Standard Time Act 2007, which aligns its clock changes with Victoria, the ACT and Tasmania. Other participating jurisdictions set similar dates through their own legislation to keep the south‑east broadly in step.
Devices and household clocks
Smartphones, computers and most connected devices typically adjust automatically in the early hours of Sunday based on network time settings. However, older cars, kitchen appliances, analogue clocks and watches usually require manual setting to one hour earlier.
Authorities advise people to check any devices used for alarms, medication reminders, travel bookings and security systems to avoid missed appointments or unintended disruptions.
Pay and rosters for overnight shifts
People rostered when the clocks go back on Sunday can work an additional hour as the 2am-3am period repeats.
The Fair Work Ombudsman advises employees and employers to check their award or registered agreement for terms on daylight saving time. If there is no mention of daylight saving, payment is usually made “by the clock” – meaning workers are paid for the scheduled hours rather than the actual hours. In that case, an employee scheduled for eight hours would be paid for eight, even if nine hours were worked.
Enterprise agreements and workplace policies in sectors such as health, aged care, transport and emergency services may include specific provisions to deal with the extra hour, and unions often encourage members to confirm how their entitlements are calculated before the change takes effect.
Sleep and daily routine
The New South Wales government notes the time change “can affect your sleep and daily routine”. It recommends small, practical steps for a smoother transition:
– Shift bedtime gradually by 15 minutes each night in the lead-up.
– Use morning light to reset your body clock.
– Keep a consistent sleep schedule after the change.
– Avoid caffeine and screens close to bedtime in the days around the transition.
Health authorities say the end of daylight saving generally allows for an extra hour of sleep, but it can still disrupt routines for young children, shift workers and people with pre‑existing sleep difficulties.
When clocks go forward again
Daylight saving is scheduled to resume on Sunday, 4 October 2026 at 2am, when clocks go forward one hour to 3am in the same participating jurisdictions.
As with the autumn change, the spring transition is set in advance by state and territory legislation and coordinated through the Council for the Australian Federation and other intergovernmental forums so that governments, schools, transport operators and businesses can plan rosters, service changes and public information campaigns well ahead of time.
