Rights and responsibilities
Regardless of where your teen is choosing to celebrate Schoolies, it’s important they are aware of the laws surrounding alcohol, drugs, and responsible behaviour as the laws may be different in each state or country.
When talking about rights and responsibilities with your teen, we suggest reminding them that 1 poor choice at Schoolies can drastically affect their entire future.
Having a criminal record can remove opportunities, such as:
- getting a job
- being allowed to travel to other countries.
You may think you are protecting your teen if you buy them alcohol for Schoolies.
If your teen is under the age of 18 and you are leaving them unsupervised, you could be fined up to a maximum of $13,352* for supplying alcohol to a minor.
Important Queensland laws
Ensure your teen is aware of the following laws:
- You must be over 18 years of age to enter a licensed venue or purchase alcohol.
- It’s against the law for any person to drink alcohol in a public place.
- It’s against the law for a person under 18 to buy alcohol.
- It’s an offence to supply alcohol to someone under the age of 18.
- If you are under 18, you can’t carry or possess alcohol in public – even if you’re holding it for a mate while they do up their shoelaces.
- It is against the law to drink and/or drug drive any vehicle.
- It is illegal to possess or supply illicit drugs.
You can be fined in Queensland for:
- drinking in a public place ($500* if under 18 and $166* if over 18)
- underage drinking or possession of liquor in a public place, even if you're holding a drink for your friend who is over 18 ($500*)
- being under 18 and found on licensed premises ($500*)
- having a fake ID ($333*)
- supplying alcohol to a minor (fines between $1,238 and $12, 320 apply).
Your teen could be fined on the spot or criminally charged and fined for each offence they commit.
*Fines correct at time of publishing. Fines are updated annually.
Throughout Queensland, all times of the year but especially during Schoolies, there are going to be lots of officers from both Queensland Police Service who will be in uniform and in plain clothes, and also Officers from the Office of Liquor and Gaming, roaming throughout Surfers Paradise, throughout Broadbeach and your licensed venues.
They're there to ensure public safety. If they do approach you, they can ask your name, your address, and your date of birth and yes, you do need to supply those things. They can also ask to see inside bags, to look inside your water bottles and things like that. You do need to allow those.
All the Officers, whether they're in plain clothes or in uniform, will be carrying ID. If an Officer does approach you, yes you can ask for that ID but when you do ask for the ID, make sure you do it respectfully.
So during Schoolies, it is important to remember that not everyone chooses to drink alcohol, however, if you do choose to drink alcohol, there are certain laws that you need to be aware of. It is illegal to drink alcohol in a public place in Queensland - that's not just during Schoolies, but that's all-year-round in Queensland. If you are under the age of 18, you are deemed to be a minor and that means you cannot be in possession of alcohol. It doesn't matter whether that's in a public place or private residence, you still cannot be in possession of that alcohol. Even if it's in your bag or you're carrying it for a friend, that is still being in possession of alcohol. If you are over the age of 18, you cannot supply a minor with alcohol.
It is also an offence to be drunk and disorderly in a public place or on a licensed premises. If you are caught committing any of these offences, hefty penalties do apply.
It's important to remember that drugs are illegal and that's for so many reasons but none more important than your health. Taking an illicit substance can lead to major health ramifications, not only short term but in the long term too. If you are in possession of an illicit substance, it is an offence. If you are caught committing this offence, you will be dealt with under the criminal justice system. That then can lead to charges being laid, going through a court process, and in the end, you can have a criminal record.
If you do have a criminal record, that can lead to future job prospects being affected. It can also lead to travel plans being affected, and also future studies. Just think twice about taking drugs. Don't let one silly mistake ruin your future.