Underage drinking
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 $300. 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 $2,000 for each offence you commit.
The licensee and staff may also be fined up to $10,000 and staff may also lose their jobs as a result of your presence.
Don’t kid yourself
New laws = tough penalties for parents
It has always been an offence to supply alcohol to minors on licensed premises, but under new laws, adults must provide responsible supervision to minors when supplying alcohol for consumption in private places such as parties or Schoolies.
Penalties are high – get caught providing alcohol to your underage child for consumption in an unsupervised environment and you will face penalties of up to $6000. If you are an adult (over 18) and you provide alcohol to an underage friend or relative for consumption in an unsupervised private environment it is known as “reckless supply” under the Liquor Act. You will face a fine of up to $6000.
Police now have greater powers to seize alcohol that has the potential to cause harm to minors or that is being recklessly provided to minors.
Police can now also confiscate alcohol in cars and public places and dispose of alcohol they reasonably suspect is destined for unsupervised consumption by minors.
Providing alcohol to underage children where there is no responsible supervision is not only dangerous, it is now illegal.
Friends and siblings are liable too!
The statistics
- 73% of teenagers (12 – 17) believe it is easy to get alcohol
- 67% of teenagers have been assaulted or abused while under the influence of alcohol
- 39% obtain alcohol from friends or acquaintances
- 36% obtain alcohol from the parents
- 33% drink alcohol at friends houses or parties
- Young people consume alcohol at riskier levels when drinking at parties or a friends house
- Approximately 264 young people die each year due to risky drinking behaviour
Sources:
Young people and alcohol, the role of cultural influences – Prof. Ann Roche, NCETA
2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: Selected Results for Qld, 2005
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.
Identification
Four forms of identification are acceptable in licensed venues:
- a current driver’s licence or learner’s permit with photo and date of birth
- a current passport
- an Australian government-issued proof-of-age card (18+ Card); or
- a Victorian Keypass
It is illegal to use someone else’s ID. You are both breaking the law if you do so.
It is also against the law to alter an ID or to make a false ID.
For more information, contact this Office.
Penalties
If you let a friend use your ID, you can be fined $300 on the spot and your friend up to $500 while the ID may be confiscated.
It is illegal to alter an ID (including changing the date of birth), on you could receive an on-the-spot fine of $500.
If you make a false ID, you could receive an on-the-spot fine of $600.
Fake IDs can land you in court with fines of up to $4000.
18 Plus Card
An 18+ Card (also known as a Card 18+ or a Proof of Age Card) is available as evidence that you are legally able to enter licensed premises.
The 18+ Card is an alternative if you don't have a passport or a drivers licence for proof of age. It is also commonly used by people with a licence who, for security reasons, do not want other private information displayed as the 18+ Card does not include your address.
The 18+ Card is recognised by law under The Liquor Act 1992 but is administered by Queensland Transport. To apply for an 18+ Card, visit the Queensland Transport website or telephone 13 23 80 to request an application form.
Reclaiming confiscated ID
If your ID has been confiscated by a security guard (crowd controller/bouncer) or bar staff because they believe it is a fake or does not belong to you, it will be sent to the Compliance Unit of the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing or the closest regional office.
A letter will then be sent to the owner of the ID requesting that they contact an investigator regarding the confiscation.
If your ID is real and you have not borrowed one from a friend, it will be given back to you. But if it is a fake, or you lent it to a friend, an infringement notice or complaint and summons may be issued and the ID will be kept as evidence for court purposes.
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Last reviewed 2 January 2009
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