Underage drinking fines
- The minimum age for a person to consume alcohol in a licensed venue or purchase alcohol is 18 years.
- Penalties apply to licensees, venue staff, minors, and parents or adults responsible for a minor.
- The below information contains a list of underage drinking offences and shows the maximum penalty for each offence.
- Payment of a penalty notice is not an admission of guilt and will not result in a criminal history. However, a court conviction under the liquor laws will form part of a person’s criminal history.
- Where it is proven that a venue sells alcohol to a minor, there is also the possibility that their licence will be suspended or cancelled.
| Offence | Maximum penalty | Offence by |
|---|---|---|
| Sell alcohol to a minor | $11,000 or 12 months imprisonment – or both | Any person |
| Supply alcohol to a minor on licensed premises | $11,000 or 12 months imprisonment – or both | Any person |
| Supply alcohol to a minor away from licensed premises that is not consistent with the responsible supervision of the minor | $11,000 or 12 months imprisonment – or both | Any person |
| Obtain alcohol for a minor from licensed premises | $11,000 or 12 months imprisonment – or both | Any person |
| Send or order a minor to licensed premises to obtain alcohol | $3300 | Any person |
| Allow liquor to be sold/supplied to a minor on licensed premises | $11,000 or 12 months imprisonment – or both | Licensee |
| Allow minor to sell or supply alcohol on licensed premises (without the approval of the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority) | $5500 | Licensee |
| Failure to refuse entry of suspected minor to small bar, hotel, registered club or licensed public entertainment venue | $5500 | Licensee or other responsible person |
| Minor enters or remains in a small bar when liquor is sold and supplied | $2200 $5500 | Minor Licensee |
| Minor enters or remains in a bar area of a hotel or a registered club | $2200 $5500 | Minor Licensee |
| Minor enters or remains in part of a hotel without responsible adult where minor is required to be accompanied by a responsible adult | $2200 $5500 | Minor Licensee |
| Minor enters or remains in a licensed public entertainment venue without a responsible adult - unless a minors functions authority is in force | $2200 $5500 | Minor Licensee |
| Consume alcohol on licensed premises | $2200 | Minor |
| Consume alcohol in an unlicensed restaurant without permission of, or in the company of, parent or guardian | $2200 | Minor |
| Obtain, or attempt to obtain, alcohol for consumption on licensed premises | $2200 | Minor |
| Carry away alcohol, or attempt to carry away alcohol from licensed premises - unless ordered or requested by another person | $2200 | Minor |
| Refuse to give name and address or age when requested by an authorised person | $2200 | Minor |
| Use false ID | $2200 | Minor |
| Responsible adult allows minor to consume alcohol on certain licensed premises (where minor is required to be accompanied by a responsible adult) | $3300 | Responsible adult |
| Responsible adult leaves minor unaccompanied on certain licensed premises (where minor is required to be accompanied by a responsible adult and required notification is not provided) | $3300 | Responsible adult |
Notes
A responsible adult means an adult who is:
- a parent, step-parent or guardian of the minor
- the minor's spouse or de facto
- standing in as the parent of the minor for the time being.
An authorised person is:
- a licensee
- venue staff
- venue security
- a police officer
- an inspector.
On-the-spot fines
On-the-spot fines can be issued for offences under the Liquor Act 2007 and are generally 10% of the maximum court penalty for the offence.
Summary Offences Act
It is an offence for a minor to possess or consume alcohol in a public place unless the minor is under the supervision of a responsible adult or has a reasonable excuse. A maximum penalty of $20 applies to this offence.
Possession or consumption of alcohol by minors in public places is covered by the Summary Offences Act 1988.
Escalating sanctions
Escalating sanctions with significant penalties may apply for repeated incidents of selling alcohol to minors.
An escalated sanction example: incurring 6 or more demerit points within a 3-year period may lead to the temporary or permanent disqualification of the licensee, approved manager, or club secretary. Non-club liquor licences can also be suspended for up to 14 days.