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Adelaide Time Zone Explained: A Guide for International Students

You may be wondering what the time zones are in Adelaide compared to the rest of Australia and the world. Here is a helpful guide that explains everything you need to know about time in Adelaide and Australia.

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Last Updated Thursday 16th April, 2026

Time zones in Australia:

In Australia, there are three different time zones. This includes:

  1. Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
  2. Australian Central Standard Time (ACST)
  3. Australian Western Standard Time (AWST)

What time zone is Adelaide in?

Adelaide, South Australia, is in the Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) zone.

The ACST time zone is ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) by 9 hours and 30 minutes (UTC +9.5).

What is Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)?

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which stands for Universal Time Coordinated, is the standard time used to determine time zones around the world.

What time zones are the rest of Australia in? 

Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)

  • Sydney, New South Wales (NSW)
  • Melbourne, Victoria (VIC)
  • Brisbane, Queensland (QLD)
  • Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
  • Hobart, Tasmania (TAS)

Australian Central Standard Time (ACST)

  • Adelaide, South Australia (SA)
  • Darwin, Northern Territory (NT)

Australian Western Standard Time (AWST)

  • Perth, Western Australia (WA)

Adelaide compared to the time around the world:

India and Sri Lanka

Adelaide is 4 hours ahead of the standard time in India and Sri Lanka.

For example, when it is 7:00 pm in Adelaide, it is 3:00 pm in India and Sri Lanka.

Nepal

Adelaide is 3 hours and 45 minutes ahead of the standard time in Nepal.

For example, when it’s 9:00 pm in Adelaide, it’s 5:15 pm in Nepal.

China, Hong Kong SAR, and Malaysia

Adelaide is 1 hour and 30 minutes ahead of the standard time in China, Hong Kong SAR and Malaysia.

For example, when it’s 8:00 am in Adelaide, it’s 6:30 am in China, Hong Kong SAR and Malaysia.

Bangladesh

Adelaide is 3 hours and 30 minutes ahead of the standard time in Bangladesh.

For example, when it is 1:30 pm in Adelaide, it is 10:00 am in Bangladesh

Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia

Adelaide is 2 hours and 30 minutes ahead of the standard time in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.

For example, when it’s 11:00 am in Adelaide, it’s 8:30 am in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.

What is the time difference to Adelaide?

The cities in the Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), which include cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, are only 30 minutes ahead of Adelaide. 

For example, when it is 10:00 am in Adelaide, it is 10:30 am in Sydney and Melbourne.

Perth, located in the Australian Western Standard Time (AWST), is one hour and 30 minutes behind Adelaide.  

For example, when it is 4:00 pm in Adelaide, it is 2:30 pm in Perth.

Although when it is daylight saving time in Australia, starting on the first Sunday of April and ending on the first Sunday in October, the time changes depending on the time zone you are located in. Learn more about daylight savings here.

Click here to download our free guide about the 10 things you need to know about studying in Adelaide.


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