Do the clocks go forward or back this weekend? A simple daylight saving explainer.

Australians listen up, we're approaching one of the most exciting, albeit confusing times, (at least for me), of the year — daylight saving time.

Yes, sun, sand, and a few extra hours of daylight bliss are just around the corner.

Whether you're heading to the beach after work, tucking into fish and chips as the sun dips behind the surf, or squeezing in a twilight run, daylight saving is what gives summer that added sprinkle of magic.

But I'm going to be honest. Every year, without fail, I have that moment of panic: Wait, do the clocks go forward or back? And without fail, it's a question I wind up Googling (don't judge me please, I'm wearing my confusion on my sleeve).

So, let's break it down once and for all.

Consider this your guide on what to do with your clocks. Image: Getty.

Listen to The Quicky discuss the issue with daylight savings. Post continues below.

So, when does daylight saving start in Australia?

This year, daylight saving begins on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 2:00am, and it will end Sunday, 5 April 2026.

It's important to note that the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia do not observe daylight saving time. So that first week of October the clocks will only change for those in:

• Australian Capital Territory

• New South Wales

• South Australia

• Tasmania

• Victoria

The time zones each state and territory observes during the daylight saving period are:

• Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) zone: ACT, NSW, Tasmania and Victoria

• Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): Queensland. The state will be one hour behind AEDT

• Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT): South Australia. The state will be half an hour behind AEDT

• Australian Central Standard Time (ACST): Northern Territory. This time zone will be an hour and a half behind AEDT

• Australian Western Standard Time (AWST): Western Australia, and the state will be three hours behind AEDT

Do the clocks go forward or backwards?

The clocks will spring (see what I did there) forward one hour at 2:00am.

That means you will lose an hour of sleep, but gain an hour of evening sunshine. Not a bad trade, especially if you're planning an after-work dip or a backyard BBQ.

Now most smartphones should update automatically, but for analog clocks it's best to set them before bed on Saturday night. Some devices such as ovens and microwaves may also need to be set manually.

Watch. Sleep relaxation tips that may help you adjust when the clocks go forward. Post continues below.

What is daylight saving, and why do we have it?

Daylight saving time (DST) is the practice of moving the clock forward during the warmer months to extend daylight in the evening hours.

The idea is that it maximises natural light during warm months, and extends daylight hours to enjoy outdoor activities.

It has the added goal of lowering energy use by decreasing reliance on electric lighting in the evenings.

The concept has been around longer than you may think. It was first introduced by a New Zealand entomologist called George Hudson in 1895, as he wanted more daylight for bug collecting.

Canadian residents in Port Arthur, Ontario — today's Thunder Bay — first gave it a go in 1908. However, Germany is widely credited as the first nation to fully enact it during WWI, around mid-1916, as a bid to save fuel and energy.

Australia first observed it in 1916, with the aim of conserving energy by making better use of natural daylight.

It was a hit for some states, and not for others.

Since then, countries around the world have experimented with it. Today, around 70 nations still observe daylight saving in some form. While some countries have ditched it, the daylight saving debate continues here at home.

Critics say it's outdated and disruptive — you can count negotiating new time zones and interrupted sleep patterns amongst those disruptions — but it comes with the perks of lighter evenings, more time outside, and a better work-life balance in the summer months.

Feature image: Getty.