Laws Regarding Underage Drinking In Australia

PART A: LAWS REGARDING UNDERAGE DRINKING

It is against the law for an underage person to buy alcohol in all states and territories in Australia. It is also against the law for anyone to sell alcohol to a person under the age of 18.

If a minor is caught buying alcohol in all state or territories they may be given a warning, be fined on the spot by police or can choose to go to court where they can be fined further if found guilty.

All states and territories have different laws regarding underage drinking, although some maybe similar, there are some differences. Examples of laws regarding underage drinking in Victoria and Queensland is as follows:

VICTORIA:

It is against Victorian law to serve alcohol in a private home to a minor unless their parents have given

The minor can be fined also. They can also be taken into custody until they sober up.

QUEENSLAND:

If a minor is caught purchasing alcohol in QLD, they may be given a formal caution, be fined on the spot by police or compliance officers of the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulations or choose to go to Court.

The person selling alcohol can be fined up to $9,752

There is no law in QLD where a minor can’t drink on a private premises however the person who supplies the alcohol may be fined in court unless they are the minor’s parent, step parent or guardian or an adult who has parental rights and responsibilities over the minor.

If a minor is drinking at a private premises they must be supervised. It is up to the police to determine if a parent, guardian or supervising adult should be taken to court for not supervising properly. This would happen if the minor is:

• Drunk when given alcohol;

• Very young;

• Unsupervised;

• Given too much alcohol

• Not eating food while drinking

• Drinking for a long