Australia's Daylight Saving Time Concludes in April 2025
Daylight saving time (DST) will end in Australia on Sunday 5 April 2025, marking a significant shift for residents in several states. At 3am Australian eastern standard daylight time (AEDT), clocks will move back by one hour to 2am, effectively providing more daylight in the morning but reducing evening sunlight. This annual adjustment, which occurs on the first Sunday of April, prepares the nation for the winter months ahead.
Which States Observe Daylight Saving?
In Australia, daylight saving is observed in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory. These regions will all experience the clock change on 5 April 2025. Conversely, Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory do not participate in daylight saving, maintaining consistent time throughout the year.
How the Clock Change Affects Daily Life
When daylight saving ends, clocks move backwards, requiring manual adjustments for analogue devices such as kitchen appliances and watches, while smart devices typically update automatically. This shift can impact various aspects of daily routines, from work schedules to sleep patterns.
Workplace Implications During the Time Change
Employees working shifts on the Sunday when clocks go back may end up working an extra hour. According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, it is crucial for both employees and employers to review their award or registered agreement for specific terms related to daylight saving time. If no mention is made, payment is usually based on scheduled hours rather than actual hours worked, meaning an employee might be paid for eight hours even if they work nine.
Adjusting Your Body Clock for the Transition
The end of daylight saving means losing an hour of afternoon sunlight, which can disrupt sleep and daily routines. To ease this transition, the NSW government recommends gradually adjusting bedtime by 15 minutes each night in the days leading up to the change. Maximising exposure to morning light can help reset the body's internal clock, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is key to minimising disruption.
When Will Daylight Saving Resume?
Daylight saving time will start again in six months, on Sunday 4 October 2025. At 2am AEDT, clocks will move forward by one hour to 3am, restoring longer evening daylight. This cycle of adjusting clocks helps balance daylight hours across the seasons, though it remains a topic of debate regarding its overall benefits and potential for standardisation across Australia.
