{"id":"nsw:act-1987-149","name":"Standard Time Act 1987","slug":"standard-time-act-1987","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"149 of 1987","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":107177,"registerId":"nsw-act-1987-149-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary\n\nPart 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act","content":"#### 1 Name of Act\n\n1 Name of Act\n\n> This Act may be cited as the [Standard Time Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-149).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 2 Definitions\n\n2 Definitions\n\n> In this Act:\n> \n> Broken Hill means the County of Yancowinna.\n> \n> Co-ordinated Universal Time means Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) as determined by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures and maintained under section 8AA of the [National Measurement Act 1960](http://www.legislation.gov.au/) of the Commonwealth.\n> \n> legal instrument means:\n> \n> > (a) an Act (including this Act),\n> \n> > (b) a regulation, ordinance, rule, by-law, proclamation, order, notice, notification or other instrument made under an Act (including this Act),\n> \n> > (c) any contract or agreement (whether oral or in writing or both), or\n> \n> > (d) any deed or other instrument having legal effect.\n> \n> New South Wales standard time means standard time as fixed by section 3.\n> \n> New South Wales summer time means summer time as fixed by section 7.\n> \n> summer time period—see section 2A.\n> \n> **s 2:** Am 1989 No 1, sec 3; 1995 No 31, sec 3; 2005 No 7, Sch 1 \\[1\\]; 2005 No 71, Sch 1 \\[1\\].","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"2A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Summer time period—definition","content":"#### 2A Summer time period—definition\n\n2A Summer time period—definition\n\n> > (1) In this Act, summer time period means:\n> > \n> > > (a) a period starting at 2 am on the first Sunday in October in each year and ending at 2 am on the first Sunday in the following April, or\n> > \n> > > (b) if a summer time period is prescribed by the regulations—that prescribed period.\n> \n> > (2) Despite subsection (1), the summer time period commencing in the year 2007 is taken to be the period starting at 2 am on Sunday 28 October 2007 and ending at 2 am on Sunday 6 April 2008.\n> \n> **s 2A:** Ins 2005 No 71, Sch 1 \\[2\\]. Am 2007 No 44, Sch 1 \\[1\\] \\[2\\].","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Standard time","content":"# Part 2 Standard time\n\nPart 2 Standard time","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Standard time in New South Wales (except certain areas)","content":"#### 3 Standard time in New South Wales (except certain areas)\n\n3 Standard time in New South Wales (except certain areas)\n\n> > (1) Standard time in New South Wales is 10 hours in advance of Co-ordinated Universal Time.\n> \n> > (2) This section does not apply to Broken Hill or Lord Howe Island.\n> \n> **s 3:** Subst 2005 No 7, Sch 1 \\[2\\].","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Standard time in Broken Hill","content":"#### 4 Standard time in Broken Hill\n\n4 Standard time in Broken Hill\n\n> > (1) Standard time in Broken Hill is:\n> > \n> > > (a) if an order under this section is not in force—9 hours and 30 minutes in advance of Co-ordinated Universal Time, or\n> > \n> > > (b) if such an order is in force—the time in advance of Co-ordinated Universal Time specified in the order as the standard time for Broken Hill.\n> \n> > (2) The Governor may, by order published in the Gazette, specify as standard time for Broken Hill the time in advance of Co-ordinated Universal Time specified in the order.\n> \n> **s 4:** Subst 2005 No 7, Sch 1 \\[3\\].","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Standard time in Lord Howe Island","content":"#### 5 Standard time in Lord Howe Island\n\n5 Standard time in Lord Howe Island\n\n> > (1) Standard time in Lord Howe Island is:\n> > \n> > > (a) if an order under this section is not in force—10 hours and 30 minutes in advance of Co-ordinated Universal Time, or\n> > \n> > > (b) if such an order is in force—the time in advance of Co-ordinated Universal Time specified in the order as the standard time for Lord Howe Island.\n> \n> > (2) The Governor may, by order published in the Gazette, specify as standard time for Lord Howe Island the time in advance of Co-ordinated Universal Time specified in the order.\n> \n> **s 5:** Subst 2005 No 7, Sch 1 \\[4\\].","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Construction of references to time (standard time)","content":"#### 6 Construction of references to time (standard time)\n\n6 Construction of references to time (standard time)\n\n> > (1) A reference (express or implied) in any legal instrument to any time or period of time shall be construed:\n> > \n> > > (a) in relation to an act or omission that occurs, or a state of affairs that exists, at a particular place:\n> > > \n> > > > (i) as a reference to standard time, as fixed by or under this Part, in that place, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) as a reference to that period as determined by reference to that standard time, and\n> > \n> > > (b) except as provided by paragraph (a):\n> > > \n> > > > (i) as a reference to New South Wales standard time, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) as a reference to that period as determined by reference to New South Wales standard time.\n> \n> > (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a reference to a time or period of time that is expressly required by the legal instrument in which the reference occurs or by any other legal instrument to be construed in some other way.\n> \n> > (3) This section applies to a legal instrument even though it was made before the appropriate standard time was fixed by or under this Part.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Daylight saving","content":"# Part 3 Daylight saving\n\nPart 3 Daylight saving","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Summer time in New South Wales (except certain areas)","content":"#### 7 Summer time in New South Wales (except certain areas)\n\n7 Summer time in New South Wales (except certain areas)\n\n> > (1) During a summer time period, summer time in New South Wales is one hour in advance of New South Wales standard time.\n> \n> > (2) This section does not apply to Broken Hill or Lord Howe Island.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Summer time in Broken Hill","content":"#### 8 Summer time in Broken Hill\n\n8 Summer time in Broken Hill\n\n> > (1) During a summer time period, summer time in Broken Hill is:\n> > \n> > > (a) if an order under this section is not in force, one hour in advance of standard time as fixed for Broken Hill by or under section 4, or\n> > \n> > > (b) if such an order is in force—the time specified in the order as summer time for Broken Hill.\n> \n> > (2) The Governor may, by order published in the Gazette, specify as summer time for Broken Hill such time as the Governor thinks fit.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Summer time in Lord Howe Island","content":"#### 9 Summer time in Lord Howe Island\n\n9 Summer time in Lord Howe Island\n\n> > (1) During a summer time period, summer time in Lord Howe Island is:\n> > \n> > > (a) if an order under this section is not in force, 30 minutes in advance of standard time as fixed for Lord Howe Island by or under section 5, or\n> > \n> > > (b) if such an order is in force—the time specified in the order as summer time for Lord Howe Island.\n> \n> > (2) The Governor may, by order published in the Gazette, specify as summer time for Lord Howe Island such time as the Governor thinks fit.\n> \n> **s 9:** Am 2005 No 71, Sch 1 \\[3\\].","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Construction of references to time (summer time)","content":"#### 10 Construction of references to time (summer time)\n\n10 Construction of references to time (summer time)\n\n> In section 6:\n> \n> > (a) a reference to standard time shall, in respect of a summer time period, be construed as a reference to the appropriate summer time as fixed by or under this Part, and\n> \n> > (b) a reference to New South Wales standard time shall, in respect of a summer time period, be construed as a reference to New South Wales summer time.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Part 4 Miscellaneous\n\nPart 4 Miscellaneous","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Savings","content":"#### 11 Savings\n\n11 Savings\n\n> > (1) Nothing in Part 3 affects:\n> > \n> > > (a) the use of standard time, as fixed by or under Part 2, for the purposes of astronomy, meteorology or navigation, or\n> > \n> > > (b) the construction of any document mentioning or referring to a point of time in connection with any of those purposes.\n> \n> > (2) For the purposes of section 30 of the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015), an order under this Act shall be regarded as amending this Act.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal and transitional provisions","content":"#### 12 Repeal and transitional provisions\n\n12 Repeal and transitional provisions\n\n> > (1) The [Standard Time Act 1971](/view/pdf/asmade/act-1971-38) is repealed.\n> \n> > (2) An amendment made by the [Standard Time Amendment (Co-ordinated Universal Time) Act 2005](/view/html/repealed/current/act-2005-007) applies to a legal instrument even though the instrument was made before the commencement of the amendment.\n> \n> > (3)–(6) (Repealed)\n> \n> **s 12:** Am 2005 No 7, Sch 1 \\[5\\].","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations","content":"#### 13 Regulations\n\n13 Regulations\n\n> The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.\n> \n> **s 13:** Ins 2005 No 71, Sch 1 \\[4\\].","sortOrder":17}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act appears to have remained focused on its original and narrow purpose of defining standard time in NSW. The amendment history (1995, 2005, 2007) suggests minor technical updates rather than any expansion or contraction of scope. No evidence of mission creep or substantive change in intent."},"complexity_factors":["Very narrow and specific subject matter — defines legal time for NSW","Short act with limited provisions","Stable law — unchanged since 2007, suggesting minimal interpretive controversy","Minimal regulatory machinery or enforcement mechanisms","Some complexity arises from interaction with federal timekeeping laws and daylight saving arrangements, but this is not apparent in the text provided"],"plain_english_summary":"This NSW law defines the state's official standard time (Australian Eastern Standard Time, UTC+10; UTC+11 in daylight saving), providing the legal clock for contracts, court filings, business and everyday life. It ensures certainty about when events occur and is administered by the Attorney General. In force in its current form since 1 November 2007, it quietly underpins many legal and commercial timings."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose of establishing and maintaining official time standards for New South Wales. While amendments have updated technical references (switching from GMT to UTC in 2005) and adjusted daylight saving dates, the core scope has not expanded beyond temporal regulation."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple geographic exceptions requiring separate treatment (Broken Hill, Lord Howe Island)","Conditional logic for standard time based on whether Governor's orders are in force (sections 4 and 5)","Cross-reference to National Measurement Act 1960 for UTC definition","Nested definitions: 'summer time period' defined by reference to regulations which can override the default dates","Transitional provision with retrospective application (section 12(2))","Interaction between sections 6 and 10 creating a layered interpretation rule for time references"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets the official time for New South Wales, including when clocks go forward for daylight saving and when they go back.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Fixes standard time**: Most of NSW runs on Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), which is 10 hours ahead of Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) — the global scientific time standard.\n- **Handles exceptions**: Broken Hill (in the far west) and Lord Howe Island have different standard times because of their geographic position. Broken Hill is 9.5 hours ahead of UTC, while Lord Howe Island is 10.5 hours ahead. The Governor can change these by official order if needed.\n- **Sets daylight saving (summer time)**: From the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April, clocks move forward one hour for most of NSW. Broken Hill follows the same pattern, but Lord Howe Island only moves forward 30 minutes (not a full hour). The exact dates can be changed by regulation.\n- **Tells us how to read time references**: If a contract, law, or other legal document mentions a time, it is automatically taken to mean the official NSW time (or the relevant local time) unless the document explicitly says otherwise. This applies even to old documents.\n- **Protects science and navigation**: Astronomers, meteorologists, and navigators can keep using standard time year-round if they need to — daylight saving doesn't force them to change.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Everyone living or doing business in NSW, since it governs what \"9am\" legally means.\n- Businesses operating across state borders or internationally, especially those dealing with time-sensitive contracts.\n- Broken Hill and Lord Howe Island residents, who live in special time zones.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nWithout this law, there would be legal confusion about when contracts start, when court deadlines fall due, or when crimes occurred. It ensures \"3pm\" means the same thing to everyone in NSW, even during daylight saving."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act, as amended, replaces the 1971 law and shifts the statutory reference point to Coordinated Universal Time, while giving the Governor explicit power to change local offsets and allowing regulations to prescribe summer‑time periods; see s 2 (UTC/definitions), ss 3–5 (standard times), s 2A (summer time period), ss 4–5 and 8–9 (Governor orders), s 12 (repeal/retrospective effect) and s 13 (regulations)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple geographic exceptions and distinct offsets for NSW, Broken Hill and Lord Howe Island (ss 3(2), 4(1), 5(1))","Governor discretion to specify alternate local offsets by Gazette order (ss 4(2), 5(2), 8(2), 9(2))","Construction rules making the Act's times the default reference for all legal instruments and contracts (s 6; s 10 for summer time)","Summer time period defined but subject to regulation and includes a specific 2007 transitional period (s 2A)","Definitions tie standard time to UTC as maintained under the National Measurement Act (s 2), creating dependency on an external measurement standard","Retrospective application to instruments made before amendments and saving provisions for specialized uses (s 6(3), s 11, s 12(2))","Regulation‑making power for consequential or detailed prescription (s 13)","Formal repeal of the 1971 Act and transitional mapping increases legislative history complexity (s 12(1))"],"plain_english_summary":"Sets the official clocks for New South Wales, Broken Hill and Lord Howe Island by tying standard time to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), defines the yearly summer‑time (daylight saving) period and how time references in laws and contracts are to be read. The Governor may alter local offsets by Gazette order. This matters for governments, businesses, courts and anyone using time‑stamped obligations: it determines who decides local time, creates administrative steps to change offsets, and changes how deadlines and schedules are calculated."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/standard-time-act-1987","history":"/api/acts/standard-time-act-1987/history","analysis":"/api/acts/standard-time-act-1987/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/standard-time-act-1987/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/standard-time-act-1987/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/standard-time-act-1987/documents"}}