Spring is officially underway in NSW, with warmer days, blooming gardens and plenty more on the horizon. And with summer slowly creeping closer, another seasonal change is just around the corner. Daylight saving returns to NSW in early October, with clocks across the state moving forward by one hour. The annual switch also means one less hour overnight, so it’s worth knowing exactly when the change takes place before the weekend arrives. From the date and time the clocks move to which devices will update automatically, here’s everything you need to know about the start of daylight saving in NSW in 2026.
When does daylight saving start in NSW?
Daylight saving begins in NSW on Sunday, October 4, 2026. At 2am, clocks will jump ahead to 3am, effectively skipping an hour overnight. From that point, NSW will move from Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) to Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), which remains in place throughout the warmer months.
The same change takes place in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the ACT, while Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not observe daylight saving. NSW will remain on daylight saving time until Sunday, April 4, 2027, when clocks move back by one hour.
Why does daylight saving exist?
Daylight saving is designed to make better use of daylight during the warmer months by shifting an hour of sunlight from the morning to the evening. Australia first introduced the practice during the First World War, although its use has changed considerably since then. In NSW, the current system has been in place since 1971, with daylight saving now beginning on the first Sunday in October each year and ending on the first Sunday in April. The result is later sunsets through spring and summer, leading to more daylight for outdoor activities after work or school.
Do you need to change your clocks?
Smartphones, computers, smartwatches and other internet-connected devices generally update automatically, provided their date and time settings are set to automatic. Analog clocks, microwaves, ovens and some car dashboards may need to be moved forward manually, so it’s worth checking them on Sunday morning.
What does the change mean for sleep?
Unlike the April clock change, there’s no bonus hour of sleep this time around. When clocks jump from 2am to 3am, an hour disappears overnight, meaning anyone keeping their usual bedtime and wake-up time will effectively get one hour less sleep. The upside comes later in the day, with longer evenings to take advantage of through spring and summer. For more information on sunrise and sunset times, visit Time and Date.
