Millions of Australians are about to lose an hour of sleep as daylight saving kicks off on Sunday, October 4, 2026 — the same day as the NRL Grand Final. Residents in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory will wind their clocks forward by one hour at 2am, when time will jump straight to 3am.

Which States Observe Daylight Saving in 2026?

Not all Australians will be reaching for their clocks this weekend. Daylight saving time in Australia is observed only in select states and territories — specifically NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the ACT. Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not participate, meaning their clocks remain unchanged.

The result is a fresh set of time zone differences across the country — something worth keeping in mind before calling friends, family or colleagues in non-observing states. A simple rule of thumb to remember the direction of the change: spring forward, fall back.

When Does Daylight Saving Start and End?

The change takes effect on the first Sunday of October each year in participating states and territories. At 2am on Sunday, October 4, 2026, clocks will leap forward to 3am — robbing those affected of a full hour of sleep overnight.

The upside is an extra hour of daylight at the end of the day, with later sunsets throughout spring and summer. Daylight saving will remain in place until April 4, 2027, when clocks move back by one hour.

Do You Need to Change Your Clocks Manually?

For most people, the switch will happen without any effort at all. Smartphones, computers, smartwatches and other internet-connected devices should update automatically overnight. However, analogue clocks, ovens, microwaves, car dashboards and certain appliances will need to be adjusted by hand — so it's worth doing a quick sweep of your home before heading to bed on Saturday night.

How to Prepare for the Lost Hour

While one hour may not sound significant, health experts warn that the disruption to your sleep cycle can have real consequences. The Sleep Health Foundation notes that even a single hour of sleep loss can affect performance the following day, leaving people less alert than usual — particularly early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

The foundation also cautions that sleep disruption from the clock change can increase the risk of accidents on the road and at work in the days that follow.

To soften the impact, the foundation recommends a gradual approach in the days leading up to the change:

  • Go to bed 15 to 20 minutes earlier for three or four nights before the change
  • Set your alarm 30 minutes earlier on the Saturday and Sunday mornings around the transition
  • Get outside in early morning sunlight to help reset your internal body clock
  • Exercise in the morning rather than the evening
  • Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night

With a little preparation, the adjustment should be manageable — and the reward is longer, sunlit evenings right through until autumn.

For those in states unaffected by daylight saving, no action is required. For everyone else: set those clocks forward this Sunday and enjoy the extra evening light ahead.