According to the Standard Time Act 1987, daylight saving starts on the first Sunday in October every year – and that’s not until next Sunday, October 7.

To ensure you turn up on time after the switch, wind your clocks and watches forward before bed on Saturday of next week.

The leap one hour forward will take place at 2am on Sunday, October 7.

In the case of smartphones and many other devices, don’t do a thing: they will self-correct.

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The last time the long weekend fell before the first Sunday in October was in 2012; the next time will be in 2029.

Daylight saving will end on Sunday, April 7, 2019.

Attorney General and “Minister for Time” Mark Speakman issued the warning that the go-ahead for daylight saving time in NSW was “delayed” a week this year because of the relatively rare calendar quirk.

“In most years the clocks go forward on the Sunday of the long weekend, but every seven years, on average, daylight saving starts a week later,” Mr Speakman said.

He said “a premature wind-up of the clocks and watches could prove inconvenient or even embarrassing”.

“Turning up to work, school or an appointment an hour early can ruin someone’s day, so I’m encouraging people to ‘wait for the wind-forward’ until before bedtime on Saturday week.”