In Australia, you must be 18 or older to legally buy or drink alcohol in any licensed venue, like pubs, bars, or clubs, and it's illegal for anyone under 18 to possess or consume alcohol there, even with parental consent. While the federal minimum age for purchase and public consumption is 18, laws for supplying alcohol to minors in private homes (secondary supply) vary slightly by state, but generally require a parent/guardian's permission and responsible supervision, with health guidelines recommending no alcohol for under-18s.
Yes, in Australia, a 16-year-old can legally drink with their parents in a private residence (like their home) under the parent's supervision, as this is considered an exception to the general ban on supplying alcohol to minors, but it's illegal in licensed venues (pubs, bars, restaurants) even with parents, unless specific meal exceptions apply. The key is parental consent and "responsible supervision," meaning the supervising adult must be sober and ensure the minor's safety, with hefty fines for breaking these rules.
Here in Australia we lowered the drinking age from 21 to 18 in Western Australia on July 1, 1970 while the corresponding date for Queensland was February 18, 1974. In South Australia the drinking age was lowered from 21 to 20 years with effect from December 19, 1968, and then to 18 years as from April 8, 1971.
The legal drinking age in Victoria is 18 years. Anyone under 18 is considered a minor.
According to the World Health Organisation, Burkina Faso is often cited as having the world's youngest legal drinking age – effectively 13, though enforcement is minimal and the law rarely applied. In the Central African Republic, alcohol can be purchased at 15 from a shop but not served in a bar until 21.
The legal age for purchasing or publicly consuming alcohol in the United States is 21 based on the National Minimum Drinking Age Act that was passed in 1984. Underage drinking is a serious public health concern that contributes to more than 4,300 deaths each year.
At 16 in Australia, you can generally work full-time (if you've left school), drive with a learner's permit, consent to sex in most states (exceptions in SA/Tas where it's 17), get certain jobs (like apprenticeships), work in hospitality with an adult, register as an organ donor, and get some government payments like Family Tax Benefit if eligible, but you still need parental consent for a passport and can't vote until 18, though you can enroll.
If you are under 18, it is against the law for you to drink or be served alcohol on licensed premises. It doesn't matter if you are with your parent or guardian.
What should I do if my teen comes home drunk?
The minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) in the United States is 21 years. MLDA laws save lives and protect everyone, especially young people, from alcohol-related harm.
The 1-2-3 drinking rule is a guideline for moderation: 1 drink per hour, no more than 2 drinks per occasion, and at least 3 alcohol-free days each week, helping to pace consumption and stay within safer limits. It emphasizes pacing alcohol intake with water and food, knowing standard drink sizes (12oz beer, 5oz wine, 1.5oz spirits), and avoiding daily drinking to reduce health risks, though some health guidance suggests even lower limits.
Russia and Australia have the highest prevalence of alcohol dependence overall, with 2.61 per cent and 2.58 per cent, respectively. According to the WHO, US has the lowest rate of alcohol dependence with only 1.92 per cent.
In various cultures, the 21st birthday is associated with significant privileges, such as voting and legally consuming alcohol. It is more than just a birthday; it's an event that reflects the 21-year journey towards maturity and independence.
Underage Drinking – National Statistics
The rate of current alcohol consumption increases with increasing age according to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) from 1.3% among 12-13 year olds to nearly 5% among 14-15 years to 13% at ages 16-17, and more than doubling among 18-20 year olds (27%).
No, you generally cannot work at BWS at 16 because you must be at least 18 years old to serve or sell alcohol, which is a core duty at bottle shops, requiring an RSA certificate (which also has age restrictions). While minors can sometimes work in licensed venues for specific non-serving roles (like stocking in storage), BWS requires staff to be 18+ to handle alcohol sales.
Premier Don Dunstan introduced the Age of Majority (Reduction) Bill in October 1970 and lowered the drinking age from 21 to 20 in 1968. By 1971, South Australia had a drinking age of 18. Between 1836 and 1839, liquor licences were granted by the Governor. On 21 February 1839, Act No.
If your child is regularly drinking on their own or drinking during the day it could be they're struggling to cope with a serious underlying issue. You can help by fostering a relationship with your child where they feel that they can be open and honest with you, rather than being immediately disciplined.
If your child has swallowed any amount of alcohol or an alcohol-containing product:
As children mature, it is natural for them to assert their independence, seek new challenges, and engage in risky behavior. Underage drinking is one such behavior that attracts many adolescents. They may want to try alcohol but often do not fully recognize its effects on their health and behavior.
In Australia, it's legal for a person under 18 to drink alcohol on private property. But in most states and territories, the person who gave them alcohol could be breaking the law – unless they're the young person's parent or guardian, or the parent or guardian has provided permission.
The "20-minute rule for alcohol" is a simple strategy to moderate drinking: wait 20 minutes after finishing one alcoholic drink before starting the next, giving you time to rehydrate with water and reassess if you truly want another, often reducing cravings and overall intake. It helps slow consumption, break the chain of continuous drinking, and allows the body a natural break, making it easier to decide if you've had enough or switch to a non-alcoholic option.
Over 18 you are no longer the responsibility of your parents. They can remove you from the home. And many do. We have lots of teens homeless or in insecure housing situations because of this.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) defines a child as everyone under 18 unless, "under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier".
At least eight countries and regions have set their MLDA at 16 years. These countries include Barbados, the British Virginia Islands, Cuba, Luxembourg, Panama, Serbia, Serbia, and Zimbabwe. In these countries, it is an offense for anyone to sell, give, or offer alcoholic drinks to people under the age of 16 years.
The answer to this question in international and domestic law is clear: a child is anyone under the age of 18.