Current Time in Sydney

Australia

20:31:16
Wednesday, 8 July 2026
9 hours ahead of the UK

Sydney is far ahead of the UK, and the exact gap swings with each hemisphere's opposite daylight saving season.

Today in Sydney

Local time
20:31:16

UK time (BST)

Sunrise today
07:00

UK local time

Sunset today
17:00

UK local time

Day length
10h 0m

Sunrise to sunset

Moon phase
Last Quarter

43% illuminated

UK clock status
Currently BST

Next change to GMT on Sunday, 25 October 2026

Sydney today, at a glance

The sun rises in Sydney at 07:00 and sets at 17:00 today, giving a day length of about 10h 0m. The UK is currently on BST (British Summer Time), with the next clock change to GMT due on Sunday, 25 October 2026. Tonight's moon is a last quarter, 43% illuminated. Sunrise, sunset and moon figures are calculated from Sydney's coordinates using standard astronomical calculations, and update automatically each day.

Time difference from the UK

Because the UK and Australia change their clocks in opposite seasons, Sydney is 9 hours ahead of the UK during the UK summer, and up to 11 hours ahead during the UK winter. For short overlap periods when only one side has changed its clocks, the gap sits at around 10 hours.

When it is 3pm in the UK, it is normally 12am in Sydney.

Best time to call

Early morning UK time (around 7am-9am) usually matches Sydney's evening, which tends to be the easiest overlap for a call. Sydney working hours generally fall in the UK's overnight, so plan ahead if you need to reach someone during their office day.

Good to know

  • Sydney observes daylight saving from around October to April - the reverse of the UK, since Australia is in the southern hemisphere.
  • The 9-to-11-hour range means it is always worth double-checking the exact gap close to the UK's or Australia's clock-change weekends.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between the UK and Sydney?

Sydney is 9 hours ahead of the UK during the UK summer, and up to 11 hours ahead during the UK winter, with about 10 hours during the short changeover periods.

Is Sydney ahead of or behind the UK?

Sydney is always ahead of the UK - the exact number of hours just depends on the time of year.

Why does the time difference change so much?

The UK and Australia both use daylight saving time, but in opposite seasons, so their combined clock changes cause the gap to shift between 9 and 11 hours across the year.