As cooler weather sets in, most Australian states and territories are preparing to switch off daylight saving time.
In 2026, daylight saving ends on Sunday, April 5. At 3am, clocks will be turned back one hour to 2am, giving residents in participating regions an extra hour of sleep.
According to abc.net.au, this adjustment applies to:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
Meanwhile, Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory do not observe daylight saving and will remain unchanged.
The timing follows a consistent national pattern, with daylight saving always ending on the first Sunday of April. This year, the date coincides with Easter Sunday. Although legislation does not clearly explain why Sunday was chosen, it is generally believed the weekend timing helps reduce disruption to businesses, schools, and daily routines.
Daylight saving will return later in the year, beginning again on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Globally, daylight saving schedules vary. In the United States, it starts on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November. In the United Kingdom, it begins on the last Sunday of March and concludes on the last Sunday of October.
Because of these differences, searching for daylight saving dates online can sometimes produce varying results depending on the country referenced.
Source: abc.net.au
