Daylight saving begins this weekend. At 2am on Sunday 4 October 2026, clocks go forward one hour to 3am – which means one hour less sleep, and a real risk of missing an early flight.
Which states change their clocks?
| State / territory | Daylight saving? | What happens on 4 October |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Yes | Clocks go forward 1 hour |
| ACT | Yes | Clocks go forward 1 hour |
| Victoria | Yes | Clocks go forward 1 hour |
| South Australia | Yes | Clocks go forward 1 hour |
| Tasmania | Yes | Clocks go forward 1 hour |
| Queensland | No | No change |
| Western Australia | No | No change |
| Northern Territory | No | No change |
That also means the time difference changes overnight. Sydney will now be an hour ahead of Brisbane – so double-check arrival times on any flight between NSW and Queensland.
Why early flyers get caught out
- Your phone updates automatically, but your car clock, microwave and some watches do not.
- An alarm set for 5am still goes off at 5am – but you have had an hour less sleep and it will feel like 4am.
- Sunday 4 October is also Grand Final day and the start of the long weekend in NSW, so airports and roads will be busier than usual.
How to make sure you make your flight
- Set two alarms on your phone the night before.
- Pack on Saturday so you can walk straight out the door.
- Check your flight time – and the time zone of your destination.
- Book your airport transfer in advance, so your driver is waiting outside regardless of the clock change.
Early morning pickups are our speciality
Redy2go runs early morning airport transfers every day of the year, with your driver arriving on time – even when the clocks jump forward. See our early morning pickups.
Frequently asked questions
When does daylight saving start in 2026?
At 2am on Sunday 4 October 2026, when clocks go forward to 3am.
Does Queensland have daylight saving?
No. Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not change their clocks.
Will my flight time change?
No – flights run on local time. But if you are flying between NSW and Queensland, the time difference changes to one hour.
Will my driver know about the time change?
Yes. Your booking is based on local time, so your driver arrives at the booked time after the clocks change.
How early should I book an early morning transfer?
At least a day ahead – and earlier for long weekends and big event days.
Related: Sydney Airport Transfers · Melbourne Airport Transfers · Adelaide Airport Transfers