Australian Central Standard Time (ACST)
ACST is UTC+9:30. Current Australian Central Time (Adelaide) and when ACST applies.
Australian Central Time (Adelaide) now
--:--:--
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
ACDTUTC+10:30
Australian Central Time is on ACDT right now, not ACST
About ACST
- Full Name
- Australian Central Standard Time
- Abbreviation
- ACST
- UTC Offset
- UTC+9:30
- Australian Central Time is on
- Daylight Time (ACDT)
- Daylight Saving Time
- Australian Central Time: Ends Apr 4, 2027 · switches between ACST and ACDT
Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) is UTC+9:30. South Australia uses ACST in winter and Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT, UTC+10:30) from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April, while the Northern Territory stays on ACST all year.
Where ACST is used
Switches between ACST and ACDT
- South Australia (Adelaide) and Broken Hill, New South Wales
ACST all year (no DST)
- The Northern Territory (Darwin, Alice Springs)
Major Cities in Australian Central Time and ACST
Each city shows its own current abbreviation, so places on daylight saving time are labelled accordingly.
ACST vs Other Time Zones
| Comparison | By definition | Right now (local clocks) |
|---|---|---|
| ACST to ACDT | +1 hour | Same region |
| ACST to AEST | +30 minutes | +30 minutes |
| ACST to AWST | -1 hour 30 minutes | -2 hours 30 minutes |
| ACST to UTC | -9 hours 30 minutes | -10 hours 30 minutes |
“By definition” compares the fixed offsets of the abbreviations. “Right now” compares the actual local time in each region today, including daylight saving time.
ACST FAQs
What is ACST?
Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) is UTC+9:30. South Australia uses ACST in winter and Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT, UTC+10:30) from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April, while the Northern Territory stays on ACST all year.
What is the UTC offset of ACST?
ACST is always UTC+9:30. When Australian Central Time observes daylight saving time, it uses ACDT (UTC+10:30) instead.
Is it ACST or ACDT right now?
Australian Central Time is on ACDT right now, not ACST. ACDT is UTC+10:30, 1 hour ahead of ACST (UTC+9:30). Australian Central Time returns to ACST on Sunday, April 4, 2027 at 3:00 AM. Places that stay on ACST all year, such as Darwin, are on UTC+9:30 now.
When does Australian Central Time switch between ACST and ACDT?
In 2026, Australian Central Time leaves daylight saving time on Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 3:00 AM and returns to ACDT on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 2:00 AM.
Where is ACST used all year?
These places use UTC+9:30 all year without daylight saving time: The Northern Territory (Darwin, Alice Springs).