Supplying alcohol to under 18s

Under the Liquor Act 1992 it's illegal to supply anyone under 18 (minors) with alcohol, except under certain circumstances in private places.

Supplying minors alcohol in private places

You can't supply alcohol to under 18s in private places—such as the family home—unless you're:

• the 'responsible adult'—a parent, step-parent, guardian or an adult who has parental rights and responsibilities for them

and

• providing 'responsible supervision' of their consumption.

Definition of responsible supervision

The law considers many factors when deciding if alcohol is being supplied under responsible supervision, including:

• how old the underage person is
• whether the adult is 'unduly intoxicated'
• if the underage person is unduly intoxicated
• whether the underage person is eating food while drinking alcohol
• if the adult is responsibly supervising how much alcohol the underage person drinks
• how much alcohol is being supplied and for how long.

Definition of unduly intoxicated

A person may be considered unduly intoxicated if:

• their speech, balance, coordination or behaviour is noticeably affected

and

• it's reasonable to believe the effect is from having consumed liquor, drugs or another intoxicating substance.

Minors in licensed venues

Liquor licensees and licensed venue staff must:

• stop minors entering the premises (except when exemptions allowing minors on the premises apply)
• refuse to sell alcohol to minors or allow them to drink alcohol.

To do this, they must carefully check identification—even if the venue is approved to hold an underage or all-ages event.

Minors can work on licensed premises that don't have adult entertainment. Any minor serving alcohol must have a Responsible service of alcohol certificate.

Read more about minors and underage drinking on licensed premises.

Penalties for supplying alcohol to minors

Liquor licensees and their staff can be prosecuted and fined:

• up to $16,130 (current from 1 July 2024) if a non-exempt minor is found on licensed premises
• up to $80,650 for a licensee and $12,904  for a bar attendant (current from 1 July 2024) if they supply alcohol to a minor on licensed premises.

In a private place, you could face court and be fined up to $12,904 (current from 1 July 2024) for supplying alcohol to a minor if you're not their responsible adult and providing responsible supervision.

What are you really buying them?

The 'What are you really buying them?' campaign in licensed venues aims to encourage parents, step-parents, guardians and friends of under 18s to think before supplying them with alcohol.