Young People & Alcohol Laws

In the ACT the alcohol laws are governed by the Liquor Act 2010.

Secondary supply laws

In the ACT it is illegal to supply alcohol to under 18’s in a private setting without parental or guardian permission [1]. This offence carries a maximum penalty of $3,000. [2] If you are the parent or guardian of the young person, or have permission from their parent or guardian, you may only supply alcohol to the under 18 if it in a manner that is consistent with the responsible supervision of the young person. Relevant factors will include: the age of the young person; whether the young person is consuming food with the alcohol; the level of supervision the supplier has of the young person; the kind of alcohol supplied to the young person; and the quantity of, and the time in which, the alcohol is supplied to the young person. The legislation also clarifies that the supply of alcohol to a young person who is intoxicated is not consistent with the responsible supervision of minor. 

Alcohol can increase the risk of injury, mental health problems, and cause permanent damage to young peoples’ developing brain. For these reasons the national health guideline for children and young people under 18 years of age, states that not drinking alcohol is the safest option.

Parents not wanting their children to drink alcohol are now able to stand firm in their decision not to provide young people with alcohol as secondary supply law means adults are legally not able to give alcohol to another person’s child, on a private premise, without parental permission.

Alcohol laws – licensed premises and public places

The laws are different in each State or Territory regarding alcohol use by people under the age of 18. According to the Liquor Act 2010 in the ACT:

• It is an offence for a young person to consume or possess alcohol in a licensed/permitted place, or a public place (maximum penalty $750) [2-4]
• It is an offence got any person, including a young person, to consume alcohol or possess an open container of alcohol at a bus interchange or a bus station; or at a place that is within 50 metres of a bus interchange, a bus stop, a shop, licensed premises or permitted premises or a permanent or temporary alcohol-free place (maximum penalty $750) [5]
• It is an offence for a young person to be in an adults only area in a licenses/permitted place (maximum penalty $750) [6]
• It is an offence for a young person to use false identification to obtain entry to or remain in an adults only area in a licensed / permitted place (maximum penalty $750) [7]
• It is an offence for a young person to buy alcohol (maximum penalty $750) [8]
• It is an offence for a young person to use false identification to buy alcohol (maximum penalty $750) [9]
• It is an offence for a young person to fail to comply with a police officer’s request for identification, or to show to the police office false identification (maximum penalty $750) [10]
• It is an offence for a young person to use false identification to obtain a proof of age card (maximum penalty $1500) [11]
• It is an offence for a licensee, permit-holder, employee or a licensee or permit holder, or other person to supply alcohol to you a young person at a licensed or permitted premises (maximum penalty from $1500 to $7500) [12]
• It is an offence for a person to supply alcohol to a young person at a public place (maximum penalty $3000) [13]