Access keys | Skip to primary navigation | Skip to secondary navigation | Skip to content | Skip to footer |
Problems viewing this site
Home > Patrons > Underage drinking

Underage drinking

Minors on licensed premises

A minor is a person under 18 years of age. Under the Liquor Act 1992, a minor is not permitted (with some exemptions) to be on licensed premises (including bottle shops).

The exceptions are if the minor is a resident, employee, person conducting lawful business, training or work experience, at a function, eating a meal, or accompanied by a responsible adult. However there are also restrictions around each of these categories of minor.

Penalties

Except for in the above-mentioned cases, if you are under 18 years of age on a licensed premises you risk an on-the-spot fine of $225. You may receive another on-the-spot fine of $225 if you have consumed liquor.

As well as on-the-spot fines, court action can be taken and you may subsequently receive a fine of up to $1875 for each offence you commit.

The licensee and staff may also be fined up to $7500 and staff may also lose their jobs as a result of your presence.

Identification

Four forms of identification are acceptable in licensed venues:

From 1 August 2005 foreign driver's licences will be accepted as evidence of age providing it has a photo and date of birth of the licence holder.

It is illegal to use someone else’s ID. You are both breaking the law if you do so. You can be fined $225 on-the-spot and your friend $375 while the ID may be confiscated.

It is also against the law to alter an ID or to make a false ID.

By law a security guard (crowd controller/bouncer) or bar tender must take your ID if they think it is fake or doesn’t belong to you. It will then be sent to the Liquor Licensing Division with an ID Confiscation Report.

If it was legitimate, you can reclaim your ID by contacting Liquor Licensing.

Friends are liable too

It is illegal to supply liquor to a minor. If your friend buys or supplies alcohol for you, they can be fined $600 on-the-spot and you face a fine of $225.

If you are under 18, it is even illegal to hold a friend’s drink or to carry a carton of beer.

More information is available from the Minors (patrons) fact sheet (PDF 77.0kb), from the Liquor Act 1992 or by contacting the Liquor Licensing Division.

Last updated 13 July 2005.