Daylight Savings Time Changes in Australia 🇦🇺 (2020)
Australia observes daylight saving time. Clocks next spring forward on Sunday, October 4, 2026, switching from AEST (UTC+10) to AEDT (UTC+11).
| Country: | Australia |
| Capital: | Canberra |
| Abbreviations: | AU, AUS |
| IANA Time Zones: | 25 |
| Dial Code: | +61 |
Daylight Savings Time Schedule and Information
Before
02
:
59
After
02
:
00
5 APR
05 Apr 2020 - Daylight Saving Time Ends
When local standard time is about to reach Sunday, 05 April 2020, 02:59 clocks are turned backward 1 hour to
Sunday, 05 April 2020, 02:00 local standard time instead.
Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour earlier on 05 Apr 2020 than the day before. There will be more light in the morning.
Also called Fall Back.
Before
01
:
59
After
03
:
00
4 OCT
04 Oct 2020 - Daylight Saving Time Starts
When local standard time is about to reach Sunday, 04 October 2020, 01:59 clocks are turned forward 1 hour to
Sunday, 04 October 2020, 03:00 local daylight time instead.
Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later on 04 Oct 2020 than the day before. There will be more light in the evening.
Also called Spring Forward.
Daylight Savings Time Schedules by States and Territories in Australia (2020)
| State | DST Start (Spring) | DST End (Fall) |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | 04 Oct 2020 | 05 Apr 2020 |
| New South Wales | 04 Oct 2020 | 05 Apr 2020 |
| South Australia | 04 Oct 2020 | 05 Apr 2020 |
| Tasmania | 04 Oct 2020 | 05 Apr 2020 |
| Victoria | 04 Oct 2020 | 05 Apr 2020 |
States and Territories in Australia that do not observe Daylight Savings Time
DST Changes Summary for Australia
| Date | Year | Change | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Oct | 2025 | Forward 1 hour | 01:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 5 Apr | 2026 | Back 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 02:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 4 Oct | 2026 | Forward 1 hour | 01:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 4 Apr | 2027 | Back 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 02:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 3 Oct | 2027 | Forward 1 hour | 01:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 2 Apr | 2028 | Back 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 02:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 1 Oct | 2028 | Forward 1 hour | 01:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 1 Apr | 2029 | Back 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 02:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 7 Oct | 2029 | Forward 1 hour | 01:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 7 Apr | 2030 | Back 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 02:00 | Daylight Saving End |
| 6 Oct | 2030 | Forward 1 hour | 01:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 6 Apr | 2031 | Back 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 02:00 | Daylight Saving End |
Read More About Daylight Savings Time
Common Questions about Daylight Savings Time Changes in Australia
Does Australia use Daylight Saving Time in 2020?
Yes, Australia observes Daylight Saving Time during the 2020 calendar year. The country follows the practice of shifting clocks to better align waking hours with the available evening sunlight during the spring and summer months.
Note that this does not apply to the entire country, as 3 states and territories do not participate in the change.
When do the clocks change next in Australia?
The next scheduled time transition in Australia will take place on Sunday, 05 April 2020. At 02:59 local time, clocks will be turned backward by 1 hour. This specific change marks the transition to daylight saving time ends.
Does all of Australia follow the same time change schedule?
No. While the majority of Australia observes Daylight Saving Time, there are regional exceptions. Currently, 3 states and territories stay on standard time year-round.
How will the next transition affect the day in Australia?
Following the shift on 05 Apr 2020, you will notice that there is more light in the morning compared to the day before. While the transition may temporarily disrupt sleep patterns, the primary goal of this backward shift is to maximize usable daylight for the population.
Frequently Asked Questions about DST in Australia
Does Australia observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, Australia observes Daylight Saving Time. Clocks shift forward in spring and back in autumn, giving an extra hour of evening daylight during the warmer months.
When does DST start in Australia in 2020?
In 2020, Daylight Saving Time begins in Australia on October 04, 2020 at 01:59 local time. Clocks spring forward by one hour at this moment.
When does DST end in Australia in 2020?
In 2020, Daylight Saving Time ends in Australia on April 05, 2020 at 02:59 local time. Clocks fall back by one hour, returning to standard time.
When is the next time change in Australia?
The next clock change in Australia is on April 05, 2020, when clocks will fall back by one hour.
What time zone is Australia on after DST ends?
After DST ends, Australia returns to its standard time zone, Antarctica / Macquarie (Antarctica/Macquarie). Standard time is the country's year-round baseline; DST adds one hour to that during the warmer months.
Why does Australia use Daylight Saving Time?
Like most countries that observe DST, Australia shifts its clocks to make better use of evening daylight during the summer months, which can reduce electricity demand and shift outdoor activity later into the day. The savings are modest and debated, but the practice remains widespread in mid- and high-latitude countries.