As summer officially bids farewell, millions of Australians are preparing to say goodbye to daylight saving time, marking a significant change as clocks will be set back on Sunday, April 6, 2025. At 3 AM, the time will revert to 2 AM, granting people an extra hour of sleep as darkness envelops the evenings once more.
Daylight saving time has been a topic of considerable debate across various regions, serving to adjust the clocks in a bid to maximize daylight hours during the warmer months. In Australia, daylight saving commenced on October 6, 2024, allowing states that observe the practice—such as New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT—to benefit from longer evenings. However, states like Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory have opted out of this seasonal clock change.
The upcoming end of daylight saving is likely to bring mixed emotions among Australians. While some may rejoice at the return of lighter mornings, others will lament the shorter evenings. For those who enjoy evening strolls or outdoor activities, the upcoming change means diminished daylight after work hours until daylight saving resumes on October 5, 2025.
This unique practice of adjusting the clock has its origins rooted in historical contexts intended for conserving fuel and maximizing daylight during times of war. According to some accounts, daylight saving was first implemented during World War I, as countries sought to reduce energy consumption. The introduction of daylight saving in Tasmania during 1968 catalyzed its wider adoption throughout Australia by 1971, as states like Victoria and New South Wales followed suit.
Yet, the rationale behind daylight saving remains contentious, particularly among regions that do not participate. In Queensland, for instance, government officials and citizens have expressed concerns about the adverse effects of daylight saving, such as the confusion it generates when traversing state lines. Former Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen even suggested that daylight saving led to “greater fading of the curtains” and “confused milking cows.”
The discussion about daylight saving stretches beyond Australia, affecting various countries worldwide, including Ireland, Canada, and those throughout the European Union. In Ireland, clocks 'spring forward' at 1 AM on March 30, 2025, and revert on October 26, marking a synchronized effort to maximize daylight among EU members. However, the EU has seen legislative efforts to scrap the seasonal clock changes altogether. In 2019, the European Parliament voted in favor of ending these changes permanently, responding to widespread public preference. Still, progress has stagnated as broader discussions continue.
In the United States, the fate of daylight saving time is similarly under scrutiny. The Sunshine Protection Act, a proposed piece of legislation aimed at establishing permanent daylight saving time, has garnered bipartisan attention yet remains caught in political limbo. Dan Diamond from The Washington Post noted that "the political logjam might be best encapsulated by Washington state, whose representatives control the two committees that oversee daylight saving time policy." While the Senate passed a bill in 2022 for perpetual daylight saving, the House has yet to see any definitive movement towards this goal.
Beyond legislative measures, figures like former President Donald Trump have voiced their opinions on daylight saving time. Recently, Trump labeled the system as "inconvenient" and "costly," highlighting public sentiment that could hinge future discussions on the matter. In an update from March 2025, he remarked that this issue represents a "50-50 situation," encapsulating the divided opinions on the practicality of adjusting clocks twice yearly.
As April approaches, Australians will increasingly ponder the implications of the impending clock shift from daylight saving. For those in states participating, the transition brings forth the necessity of manual adjustments for traditional clocks, even as the majority of electronic devices will automatically correct. Travelers may find themselves caught off guard when crossing between states, emphasizing the significance of clarity around scheduling flights and check-ins.
Across the globe, the conversation around daylight saving time continues to evolve, reflecting changing perspectives on energy consumption, public health, and lifestyle preferences. With debates spanning continents—from Australia to Europe and North America—the future of daylight saving remains uncertain. Will it continue to adapt with society's needs, or will it fade away alongside the summer evenings?
As daylight saving winds down, Australians, and many others worldwide, are poised to navigate these changes in time, reflecting a broader discourse on balancing tradition and modern necessities.
