23 Feb Under 18? Don’t Ask
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Secondary Supply laws have been operating in Western Australia since 2015. Under this law it is an offence for anyone to supply under 18s with alcohol in a private setting without parental or guardian permission. This offence carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 which is about 2109 Vodka Cruisers.
Even if the parent or guardian consents, a young person (under 18) cannot be supplied alcohol by anyone if the young person, supplier or parent (or all three) are drunk or if the supplier cannot supervise the young person.
If you are under the age of 18 it is against the law to:
- Buy alcohol.
- Get someone to buy alcohol for you.
- Drink alcohol in a public place, e.g. park, street, beach, outdoor concert and includes in a car on a road.
- Drink alcohol on any licensed or regulated premises, e.g. pub, nightclub, tavern, restaurant, café, amusement parlour.
- Go to a pub, nightclub, or tavern unless you are with your parents or a responsible adult.
- Have alcohol in your possession in a public place (park, street, beach, outdoor concert and includes in a car on a road).
What Can Happen?
Drinking alcohol on a licensed premises, e.g. pub, nightclub, tavern.
If you are suspected of being under the age of 18 and in a pub or nightclub, you may be asked to produce identification of age by staff (crowd controllers) or police.
- If you cannot produce identification of age, you may be asked to leave.
- If you give false identification, you may be charged by police.
- If you refuse to leave, you may be removed by staff (crowd controllers) using reasonable force.
- If you return or remain near the pub or nightclub you can be charged.
Drinking alcohol in a public place, e.g. park, street, beach, outdoor concert.
If you are caught drinking alcohol in a public place and are under the age of 18:
- You can be issued with an infringement notice or be referred to a Juvenile Justice Team by the Police or charged and must attend Children’s Court.
- You can be issued with an infringement notice (fine of $200).
- The alcohol you have on you can be taken by the police or ranger.
- Any open bottles or cans can be tipped out by the police or ranger.
- You can be taken into custody by police and held until your parent picks you up.
It’s not just about the law, it’s your health as well.
- People under 18 years of age are more likely to experience harm from alcohol.
- The brain continues to develop until around 25 years of age. This means the brains of people under 18 are more sensitive to damage from alcohol.
- Drinking alcohol can increase risk taking and lead to unsafe sex, car accidents and injuries. It can also increase the risk of self-harm and suicide.
Under 18?
It’s not worth it.
Don’t ask.