Clocks will move back one hour this April in many parts of Australia in preparation for winter.
Here’s what you need to know about the end of daylight saving – and how it will affect you.
When does daylight saving end in Australia?
Daylight saving will finish on Sunday 5 April at 3am Australian eastern standard daylight time (AEDT).
Clocks will move back one hour to 2am, taking away the afternoon sun and replacing it with cold darkness.
Sign up for the Breaking News Australia emailDaylight savings ends on the first Sunday of April every year and returns on the first Sunday of October.
Which states observe daylight saving?
New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory all observe daylight saving – and will all see clocks move back on 5 April.
Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not observe daylight saving.
Do clocks go back or forward in April?
Clocks move backwards.
Smart devices usually adjust automatically for the end of daylight saving, moving back early on Sunday morning.
You will need to manually adjust the time on your kitchen appliances, analogue clocks and watches by setting it to an hour earlier.
What happens if you’re working when the clock changes?
If you’re working a shift on the Sunday when the clocks go back, you could end up working an extra hour.
The Fair Work Ombudsman recommends employees and employers should check their award or registered agreement for terms on daylight saving time.
If there is no mention of daylight savings in the terms, payment is usually made “by the clock” – meaning you’re paid for the scheduled hours, not the actual hours worked. This means you would be paid for eight hours of work, even if you worked nine.
How can you adjust your body clock?
The clocks going back means we lose that extra hour of afternoon sun we’ve enjoyed in the warmer months. But on the positive, the start of daylight saving time means effectively waking up an hour later.
The NSW government website acknowledges the time change “can affect your sleep and daily routine”.
It recommends gradually adjusting your bedtime by 15 minutes each night for a smooth transition, maximising morning light to reset your body clock and staying consistent with your sleep schedule to avoid disruption.
When will daylight saving time start again?
Daylight savings will start again in six months. On Sunday 4 October at 2am Australian eastern daylight time (AEDT), clocks will go forward one hour to 3am, giving more daylight in the evening.
