STUDENT SUMMARY
ALCOHOL AND THE LAW
• The legal drinking age in Australia is 18 years of age.
• It is generally illegal to sell or supply alcohol to a person under the age of 18 years.
However, in some Australian states and territories, in places which are not licensed or
restricted:
- A parent or guardian can supply alcohol to his or her own child (minor) or,
- A responsible adult authorised by a parent or guardian can also supply alcohol to that
child (minor).
• In most Australian states and territories, it is illegal for a person under the age of 18 years to
possess or consume any alcohol in a public place, unless they are under the supervision
of a responsible adult. However, if the public place is an alcohol free zone or an alcohol
prohibited area (e.g., some parks), it is still illegal for a person under the age of 18 to possess
or consume alcohol, even if they are under the supervision of a responsible adult.
• If a minor is in possession of alcohol in a public place and is not under the supervision of
a responsible adult, the police can seize the alcohol.
• A responsible adult is:
- A parent, step-parent or guardian of the minor.
- A person who is, for the time being, in loco parentis to the minor. That is, an
adult who is acting in the place of your parent.
HOW MUCH ALCOHOL IS SAFE
FOR PEOPLE TO DRINK
?
• The safest thing to do is not to drink alcohol.
• The Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommend that young people,
up to the age of 18 years, should not drink beyond the low risk
levels recommended for adults
• These low risk levels are based on a measure called “the standard
drink”.
• A “standard drink” is a measure of the amount of alcohol contained
in an alcoholic drink. One “standard drink” of alcohol contains 10g
of alcohol.