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

The retail sale of alcohol in Australia requires that a license be 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 outcomes.

The 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. It also controls advertising of alcoholic beverages on television.

It is illegal for a person under 18 years to buy, drink or possess alcohol on licensed premises, but some states[which?] 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 instead of 21.

Some states, such as Victoria, permit drinking in vehicles once a full license is obtained. 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 license. Provisional and learner drivers must not drive with any detectable blood-alcohol present. Commercial drivers have a limit of 0.02 whilst working.

In May 2008, three submissions to the Senate Community Affairs Committee Inquiry into Ready-to-drink alcohol beverages recommended that the drinking age be raised to 21, with Drug Awareness suggesting that after 21 "the brain is better protected from this toxin".

Dry zones

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.

Dry zones in South Australia are found at Glenelg, Adelaide city centre, and Port Augusta.
Alcohol laws by state New South WalesThe consumption of alcohol in New South Wales is regulated by the Liquor Act 2007.

Offences under the act include : Serving alcohol to an intoxicated person, failing to leave licensed premises when asked to do so or attempting to re-enter licensed premises after being ejected.

In New South Wales there is no law against minors possessing or drinking alcohol on private premises, but there are laws against supplying or selling alcohol to a minor, as well as against minors "carrying away" alcohol from a licensed club.

Minors may be on licensed premises accompanied by a parent or guardian (but not purchase alcohol) and parents can not provide alcohol with a meal on licensed premises.

It is also illegal to provide minors with alcohol, and one can be fined by it if caught in the act. It is illegal to buy alcohol if already drunk and to supply alcohol to such a person.

South AustraliaIn South Australia, the major legislation which controls the sale and consumption of alcohol is the Liquor Licensing Act 1997 (SA). The principal aim of the Act is to minimise the harm associated with the consumption of alcohol in the community of South Australia. The drinking age was lowered from 21 to 20 in 1968 and by 1971 South Australia had a drinking age of 18. http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=124 SOUTH AUSTRALIA http://www.mcri.edu.au/Downloads/Media/2008/03/23/SundayAge.pdf

Between 1836 and 1839, liquor licences were granted by the Governor.

On 21 February 1839, Act No. 1 of 1839 became the first liquor licensing legislation in the Province, including three licenses:

1. General Publican's Licence
2. Wine, Ale, Beer and other Malt Liquors Licence
3. Storekeeper's Licence

In 1869, a Storekeeper's Colonial Wine Licence was introduced.

Victoria Alcohol may not be sold in Victoria without a licence or permit being obtained from the State government. Licences and permits are issued by Consumer Affairs Victoria, under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.

In Victoria, alcohol may not be sold to a person who is under 18 years of age, and minors must not be on licensed premises (i.e. premises on which alcohol may be sold or consumed) unless accompanied by an adult or other limited circumstances.

There are several categories of licences available.

The most common are:

on-premises licence, which permit the sale of liquor to customers for drinking on the premises, such as restaurants, bars and cafes.
packaged liquor licence, which permit the sale of liquor to customers to take away from retail liquor stores and supermarkets.
general licence, which permit the sale of liquor to customers for drinking on the premises, and to take away. These are used by pubs, hotels and taverns.
BYO permit, which allow customers to bring their own liquor and drink it on the premises. These are obtained by restaurants and clubs that do not intend to hold a liquor licence.
Other specialised licences are: full club licence, renewable limited club licence, temporary limited licence, renewable limited licence, restricted club licence, pre-retail licence (for wholesalers, producers, brewers and liquor importers), and vigneron’s licence.

There are several areas in Melbourne which retain the status of "dry-areas", where a vote is required before a liquor licence is granted within the area.

Some local government councils have passed by-laws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol on streets within their areas.[citation needed]

In Victoria, if a minor is caught with alcohol in public it can be confiscated and guardians notified of the offense, and a fine may occur.

Minors are allowed to drink alcohol if it is given to them by anyone on private property for example a party.

In Victoria, fully licensed drivers of motor vehicles must have a Blood alcohol content (BAC) below 0.05%. Learner and probationary licensed drivers must not consume any alcohol before driving (i.e. the BAC must be zero).

Western AustraliaState legislation governs the sale and supply of alcohol in Western Australia. The Liquor Control Act 1988 and the Liquor Control Regulations 1989 is administered by the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor. The purpose of the Liquor Act is primarily to regulate the sale, supply, and consumption of alcohol. Before 1970, Western Australia drinking age was 21. It is illegal for any person under the age of 18 years to purchase, supply, or drink alcohol on licensed or regulated premises, even if they are with their parents or guardian. The maximum penalty for a minor to consume alcohol on licensed premises is an $2,000AUD fine. It is an offence in Western Australia for persons of any age to drink in public, such as on the street, park, or beach.

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