On October 4, 2026, clocks in four states and one mainland territory of Australia will move forward 1 hour. This change happens at 02:00 (2:00 am) local standard time, shifting to 03:00 (3:00 am), local summer time.
Australia clock change in detailAustralia’s Clock Changes
Clocks will be set 1 hour forward in:
Clocks are also set forward 1 hour in Norfolk Island, an external territory of Australia. On Lord Howe Island, which observes a rare half-hour time zone, clocks are set forward 30 minutes instead of 1 hour on the same date. Lord Howe Island is part of New South Wales.
Australia’s time zonesNo DST in Parts of Australia
Northern and western parts of Australia do not use DST, so the clocks will not change in the Northern Territory, Queensland, or Western Australia.
The same is the case in the Australian external territories of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
New Zealand Clock Change
All of New Zealand observes DST, including Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. DST begins one week earlier than in Australia.
On September 27, 2026, clocks in New Zealand will be moved forward 1 hour. This change happens at 02:00 (2:00 am) local standard time, shifting to 03:00 (3:00 am) local summer time.
New Zealand clock change in detailThe Chatham Islands, in New Zealand’s second time zone, are 45 minutes ahead of the country’s two main islands, so clocks there are turned forward from 02:45 (2:45 am) to 03:45 (3:45 am) local time.
The New Zealand non-self-governing territory of Tokelau does not use DST.
No DST in Samoa or American Samoa
Samoa continues to observe year-round standard time after it scrapped DST in 2021. Neighboring American Samoa does not observe clock changes either.
Upcoming DST changes worldwideWhen Does DST End Again?
DST in both Australia and New Zealand ends on April 4, 2027, when clocks fall back to standard time.
In Australia, DST runs from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April. New Zealand observes DST from the last Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April.
One hour back or forward?Frequently Asked DST Questions
What is DST?
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of setting the clocks forward during part of the year to make better use of natural daylight. Changing the clocks does not create extra daylight but instead shifts the time of sunrise and sunsets.
Is Summer Time the Same as DST?
Saying “summer time” instead of Daylight Saving Time (DST) is common in many countries, especially in the United Kingdom. The term winter time is sometimes used instead of standard time, which is the official name for the period without DST.
Is DST bad for your health?
Daylight Saving Time (DST) can mess with our body clock and can trigger underlying health issues. The time change can cause disruptions to our body clock, otherwise known as the circadian rhythm.