Current Time in Australia
Check local time in Canberra and all Australia cities. Australia spans 4 time zones.
Australia Quick Facts
🕐 Time Zones in Australia
Australia spans three time zones: Eastern (UTC+10), Central (UTC+9:30), and Western (UTC+8). Some states observe Daylight Saving Time while others don't, creating up to five time differences.
Australia observes Daylight Saving Time during the Southern Hemisphere summer (October to April). Clocks move forward one hour during this period. Note that this is opposite to Northern Hemisphere DST schedules.
🏙️ Major Cities in Australia (8 cities)
Click on any city to see detailed local time, sunrise/sunset times, and weather information.
📞 Best Time to Call Australia
Due to the significant time difference, calling Australia from the US or Europe requires planning. US East Coast callers should try early evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST) to reach Australia during their morning. European callers can try very early morning or late night calls.
Standard business hours in Australia are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Government offices and banks may have shorter hours. Many businesses close for lunch, especially in Southern European, Latin American, and Asian countries.
✈️ Time-Related Travel Tips for Australia
When planning your trip to Australia, factor in the time zone change and allow time to adjust. Local business hours, cultural customs around punctuality, and communication styles may differ from your home country. Download offline maps and translation apps before traveling.
🎯 Interesting Facts About Time in Australia
- •Australia spans 4 time zones, making it one of the widest countries in terms of time coverage.
- •The capital Canberra is the political center of Australia with a total national population of 26M.
- •Time zone boundaries don't always follow geographical lines - they're often adjusted for political, economic, or practical reasons.
- •The concept of standardized time zones was developed in the 19th century with the expansion of railways, replacing local solar time.
About Time in Australia
Australia spans 4 time zones, from AWST (UTC+8) to AEDT (UTC+11). This makes Australia one of the countries with the most time zones in the world, which can make scheduling calls and meetings more complex.
The capital city Canberra serves as the political and often economic center of Australia. Major business activities are spread across cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and 4 more.
When planning international calls, video conferences, or business meetings with contacts in Australia, it's important to consider the time zone difference. AWST (UTC+8) is the most commonly referenced time zone for Australia. However, depending on the specific location, you may need to account for ACST (UTC+9:30) or AEST (UTC+10) or AEDT (UTC+11).
Australia uses the Australian Dollar (A$) as its official currency. The international dialing code is +61.The official language is English.
🏙️ Cities in Australia
Explore local time in 8 cities across Australia
🌍 Other Countries in Oceania
Frequently Asked Questions About Time in Australia
What time zone is Australia in?
Australia spans 4 time zones: AWST (UTC+8), ACST (UTC+9:30), AEST (UTC+10), AEDT (UTC+11). The capital Canberra uses AWST (UTC+8).
Does Australia observe Daylight Saving Time?
Australia observes Daylight Saving Time during the Southern Hemisphere summer (October to April). Clocks move forward one hour during this period. Note that this is opposite to Northern Hemisphere DST schedules.
What is the best time to call Australia from the US?
Due to the significant time difference, calling Australia from the US or Europe requires planning. US East Coast callers should try early evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST) to reach Australia during their morning. European callers can try very early morning or late night calls.
What are typical business hours in Australia?
Standard business hours in Australia are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Government offices and banks may have shorter hours. Many businesses close for lunch, especially in Southern European, Latin American, and Asian countries.