Time Zones
Australia has three time zones — and it gets complicated because not all states switch to daylight saving time:
| Time Zone | States | Difference to CET | Daylight Saving? |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEST (Australian Eastern) | NSW, VIC, QLD, TAS, ACT | +9 hrs | Yes (except QLD) |
| ACST (Australian Central) | SA, NT | +8.5 hrs | Yes (SA), No (NT) |
| AWST (Australian Western) | WA | +7 hrs | No |
Daylight Saving: The southern states (NSW, VIC, SA, TAS, ACT) switch to daylight saving time from October to April (+1 hour). Queensland and NT DO NOT. This means: In the Australian summer, Queensland has the same time as NSW, even though it's next door — in winter, there's a one-hour difference.
Time Difference to Germany:
- Sydney/Melbourne (Summer): CET +10 hours (when Germany is on winter time: +10h)
- Sydney/Melbourne (Winter): CET +8 hours (when Germany is on summer time: +8h)
- Perth: Year-round CET +7 hours
💡 Tipp
The jet lag to Australia is tough (8–10 hours shift). Strategy: Sleep according to Australian time on the plane, spend the first day outside in sunlight (helps adjust your internal clock), and no naps, no matter how tired you are. You'll be adjusted in 2–3 days.