Alcohol laws of Australia

Alcohol laws of Australia regulate the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages (in Australia also referred to as liquor).

The retail and wholesale sale of alcohol in Australia requires a licence that is obtained from the liquor licensing authority of the State or Territory in which the sale takes place. It also regulates the location of outlets through planning laws, and other restrictions. Local government may have an input into these, as federal government controls the importation of alcohol beverages into Australia and has a strong impact on the market for liquor through the imposition of excise taxes on the manufacture of liquor within Australia and importation into Australia. In 1972, a law prohibiting homebrewing of all but the weakest beers and wines was repealed. No excise is payable if a homebrewed drink is not distilled and the product is for own use. A licence is required to operate a still, and excise is payable on distilled beverages. The federal government also controls advertising of alcoholic beverages on television.

It is illegal for a person under 18 to buy, drink or possess alcohol on licensed premises except in the company of their guardian (or spouse) when ordering a meal, but some states, such as Victoria and Western Australia, allow drinking or possessing alcohol on private premises for people under 18 years (under the supervision of at least one adult). By 1974, all Australian states and territories had a drinking age of 18, reduced in some cases from 21.

Drivers cannot drive a motor vehicle when they have a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level higher than 0.05 when they hold a full driver licence. Provisional and learner drivers must not drive with any detectable blood-alcohol present. (see Driver's licence in Australia).

In May 2008, three submissions to the Senate Community Affairs Committee Inquiry into Ready-to-drink alcohol beverages recommended the drinking age be raised to be 21, with Drug Awareness suggesting that after 21 "the brain is better protected from this toxin". The proposal was not adopted.

Many towns and communities ban outdoor consumption of alcohol. Dry zones are often established by local councils after certain areas, such as local city parks, become favorite locations for problem drinking, violence, and anti-social behavior. Some local councils further restrict consuming alcohol in outdoor public areas, such as local streets, footpaths, and hiking trails. Most local liquor bans (especially in New South Wales and Sydney) last for 4 years.

...
Wikipedia