Daylight saving in Melbourne shifts the clocks forward in spring and back in autumn each year, affecting schedules, transport, and daily routines across Victoria.
Knowing the exact start and end dates helps families, businesses, and travellers stay prepared. This guide provides the official 2025–2026 daylight saving dates in Victoria, extended future schedules, and practical insights for locals and visitors.
Key Takeaways
- Daylight saving in Victoria ends on Sunday, 6 April 2025, at 3:00 am.
- It begins again on Sunday, 5 October 2025, at 2:00 am, when clocks move forward by one hour.
- The cycle repeats annually, finishing in April and restarting in October.
- Future daylight saving dates are already scheduled through 2029 and beyond.
- Daylight saving impacts transport timetables, business hours, and community events across Melbourne.
Contents
When Does Daylight Saving Time End in Melbourne?
Daylight saving in Melbourne ends on Sunday, 6 April 2025, at 3:00 am, when clocks move back one hour. This marks the return to Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Why is the end date important?
The end of daylight saving time affects public transport schedules, early-morning activities, and trading hours, so planning ahead avoids confusion. Families also notice brighter mornings and earlier sunsets.
When Does Daylight Saving Time Start in Melbourne?
Daylight saving in Melbourne starts on Sunday, 5 October 2025, at 2:00 am, when clocks move forward one hour. This marks the shift to Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).
Why is the start date important?
The beginning of daylight saving time impacts events, flight schedules, sports fixtures, and energy use. It also creates longer daylight evenings, popular for outdoor dining, markets, and festivals across Melbourne.
Future Daylight Saving Dates in Victoria
The following table lists daylight saving transitions in Victoria through 2031 for evergreen reference.
| Year | Starts (Clocks Forward) | Ends (Clocks Back) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Sunday 5 October 2025 | Sunday 6 April 2025 |
| 2026 | Sunday 4 October 2026 | Sunday 5 April 2026 |
| 2027 | Sunday 3 October 2027 | Sunday 4 April 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday 1 October 2028 | Sunday 2 April 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday 7 October 2029 | Sunday 1 April 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday 6 October 2030 | Sunday 7 April 2030 |
| 2031 | Sunday 5 October 2031 | Sunday 6 April 2031 |
This future-focused table helps schools, workplaces, travellers, and event organisers plan years in advance.
How Daylight Saving Time affects Melbourne
Daylight saving in Victoria affects:
- Public transport timetables (Metro, PTV, V/Line adjust schedules).
- Events and festivals (sporting events, theatre shows, markets).
- Business hours (cafés, restaurants, retail adapt to evening demand).
- Community activities (more time for family outings, Sunday markets, and outdoor dining).
👉 If you enjoy exploring Melbourne’s outdoor events after hours, pair your planning with the city’s Sunday Markets, where extended daylight makes browsing stalls, food trucks, and artisan vendors even more enjoyable.
FAQs About Daylight Saving in Melbourne
Why does Victoria have daylight saving time?
Victoria follows daylight saving to maximise evening daylight, support hospitality and tourism, and align with other states like NSW and Tasmania.
Which Australian states use daylight saving time?
Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT observe daylight saving time. Queensland, WA, and the NT do not.
Do phones and computers update automatically?
Yes, most smartphones, laptops, and connected devices update automatically, but manual clocks and watches must be adjusted.
Is Melbourne ahead or behind Sydney during daylight saving?
Melbourne and Sydney remain on the same time zone (AEDT) during daylight saving.
Does Melbourne observe daylight savings?
Yes, Victoria observes daylight savings every year.
Is daylight savings permanent in Melbourne?
No, Victoria switches between AEST and AEDT annually.
Will the October 2025 daylight savings date change?
No, it is fixed by Victorian Government legislation.
Do all Australian states follow daylight savings?
No, Queensland, WA, and NT do not participate.
Grand Final Public Holiday
Daylight saving in Melbourne not only affects sunrise and sunset times but also influences how people plan their leisure and community events.
Just as residents adjust their schedules for annual traditions like the Grand Final Public Holiday, they also adapt to the clock changes that shape evening activities, outdoor dining, and major sporting events across the city.
You can read more about how Melbourne celebrates with time off on the Grand Final Public Holiday and how it connects with the city’s seasonal rhythm.
