Alcohol laws of Australia regulate the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages (If you are 18 and over in Australia you are allowed to vote, drink and drive). Legal age of drinking is 18 .
Video Alcohol laws of Australia
Alcohol drinking age
Maps Alcohol laws of Australia
Alcohol laws by state
All tourists' legal proof of age is foreign passports only, and not any 18+ card (especially in New Zealand, where it serves the same purpose as state-specific 18+ cards for residents of each respective state if they don't already have a driving licence.)
South Australia
In South Australia, the major legislation which controls the sale and consumption of alcohol is the Liquor Licensing Act 1997 (SA). The principal aim of the Act is to minimise the harm associated with the consumption of alcohol in the community of South Australia. The drinking age was lowered from 21 to 20 in 1968 and by 1971 South Australia had a drinking age of 18. Between 1836 and 1839, liquor licences were granted by the Governor.
On 21 February 1839, Act No. 1 of 1839 became the first liquor licensing legislation in the Province, including three licenses:
- General Publican's Licence
- Wine, Ale, Beer and other Malt Liquors Licence
- Storekeeper's Licence
In 1869, a Storekeeper's Colonial Wine Licence was introduced.
Victoria
Alcohol may not be sold in Victoria without a licence or permit being obtained from the State government. Licences and permits are issued by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.
In Victoria, alcohol may not be sold to a person who is under 18 years of age unless accompanied by a guardian (or spouse) and for consumption during a meal, and minors must not be on licensed premises (i.e. premises on which alcohol may be sold or consumed) unless accompanied by an adult or other limited circumstances.
There are several categories of licences available. The most common are:
- packaged liquor licence, which permit the sale of liquor to customers to take away from retail liquor stores and supermarkets.
- general licence, which permit the sale of liquor to customers for drinking on the premises, and to take away. These are used by pubs, hotels and taverns.
- BYO permit, which allow customers to bring their own liquor and drink it on the premises. These are obtained by restaurants and clubs that do not intend to hold a liquor licence.
Other specialised licences are: full club licence, renewable limited club licence, temporary limited licence, renewable limited licence, restricted club licence, pre-retail licence (for wholesalers, producers, brewers and liquor importers), and vigneron's licence.
Until May 2015, there were several areas in Melbourne which had the status of "dry-areas", where a vote was required before a liquor licence was granted within the area. This requirement has now ceased. Some local government councils have passed by-laws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol on designated streets, parks and other areas within their jurisdictions.
In Victoria, if a minor is caught with alcohol in public it can be confiscated and guardians notified of the offence, and a fine may be imposed.
Previously, minors were allowed to drink alcohol if it is given to them by anyone on private property, for example a party. New laws which came into effect late 2011, require parental permission to be given to any adult serving alcohol to minors, under a penalty of $7,000.
In Victoria, fully licensed drivers of motor vehicles must have a Blood alcohol content (BAC) below 0.05%. Learner and probationary licensed drivers must not consume any alcohol before driving (i.e. the BAC must be zero).
Victorian alcohol laws only allow the following identification as legally accepted proof-of-age in licensed premises:
- Current Australian driver licence
- Current Victorian learner driver permit card
- Current passport (Australian or foreign)
- Current Keypass identity card.
- Current proof-of-age card from any Australian state or territory.
New South Wales
Alcohol may not be sold in NSW without a licence or permit being obtained from the State government.
In NSW, alcohol may not be sold to a person who is under 18 years of age unless accompanied by a guardian (or spouse) and for consumption during a meal, and minors must not be on licensed premises (i.e. premises on which alcohol may be sold or consumed) unless accompanied by an adult or other limited circumstances. The designation of restricted area (18+ only) and supervised area (minors must be accompanied by adults) must be displayed on the door or window facing outwards.
There are several categories of licences available. The most common are:
- packaged liquor licence, which permit the sale of liquor to customers to take away from retail liquor stores and supermarkets. They must close at 11pm at the latest.
- general licence, which permit the sale of liquor to customers for drinking on the premises, and to take away. These are used by pubs, hotels and taverns.
- BYO permit, which allow customers to bring their own liquor and drink it on the premises. These are obtained by restaurants and clubs that do not intend to hold a liquor licence, or do not sell and supply liquor themselves.
Other specialised licences are: full club licence, renewable limited club licence, temporary limited licence, renewable limited licence, restricted club licence, pre-retail licence (for wholesalers, producers, brewers and liquor importers), and vigneron's licence.
Some local government councils have passed by-laws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol on streets within their areas, especially the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct, which stretches from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay down to the end of George Street. On other parts of Sydney, many streets still have similar 'alcohol-free streets', notably the immediate streets near railway stations, all main roads in Hurstville, Bankstown, Chatswood and City of Willoughby. Most of these bans last for 4 years which can be renewed each September of the 4-year cycle under council discretion.
In a designated area within the Sydney CBD, there is a 1:30 am lockout meaning no patrons can enter bars after that point, and no existing patrons can re-enter after that time, while last drinks are at 3am. There are restrictions on what can be served after midnight. For example, liquor cannot be served "neat".
In NSW, if a minor is caught with alcohol in public it can be confiscated and guardians notified of the offence, and a fine may occur.
New South Wales alcohol laws only allow the following identification as legally accepted proof-of-age in licensed premises:
- Current Australian driver licence
- Current Victorian learner driver permit card
- Current passport (Australian or foreign)
- Current Keypass Card
- Current NSW proof-of-age card (if they don't already have a driver's licence).
Western Australia
State legislation governs the sale and supply of alcohol in Western Australia. The Liquor Control Act 1988 and the Liquor Control Regulations 1989 is administered by the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor. The purpose of the Liquor Act is primarily to regulate the sale, supply, and consumption of alcohol. Before 1970, Western Australia drinking age was 21. It is illegal for any person under the age of 18 years to purchase, supply, or drink alcohol on licensed or regulated premises, even if they are with their parents or guardian. The maximum penalty for a minor to consume alcohol on licensed premises is a $2,000AUD fine. It is an offence in Western Australia for persons of any age to drink in public, such as on the street, park, or beach without first having obtained a permit from the appropriate local government authority. Such permits are at the discretion of the local council - some public events have a total ban on alcohol consumption and no permits will be issued.
Western Australian alcohol laws only allow the following identification as legally accepted proof-of-age in licensed premises:
- Current Western Australian driver licence or a driver licence issued by an Australian state or territory government
- Current Western Australian learner driver permit card
- Current passport (Australian or foreign)
- Current Keypass Card
- Current Western Australian Photo Card, issued by the Department of Transport or a proof-of-age card issued by an Australian state or territory government
Australian Capital Territory
Alcohol was originally banned in Canberra; see King O'Malley. Alcohol was made legal again following a plebiscite in 1928.
See also
- Alcohol in Australia
- Driver's licence in Australia
References
Source of article : Wikipedia
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