Before you make a decision about letting your child consume alcohol before the legal drinking age, it’s important to have the facts.
There are two types of laws governing underage drinking:
- Australian liquor laws: the legal drinking age in Australia is 18 years. All states and territories prohibit people under this age to purchase alcohol or consume alcohol in licensed premises or in public places.
- Secondary supply laws: the laws regarding the supply of alcohol to minors differ between states and territories. Parents and adults need to be aware of these laws, particularly in regard to common occurrences such as hosting a teenage party in the family home or having your child stay over at a friend’s place.
It’s important that parents and other adults familiarise themselves with their legal obligations by consulting their state/territory police or liquor licensing authority.
