Liquor Laws

It's important to have fun during your schoolies break. But make sure you are aware of the laws and penalties involving the sale and consumption of alcohol in Victoria.

Licensed premises

• The licensee cannot serve you if you are intoxicated.
• It is illegal to be drunk on licensed premises. This includes being drunk at a restaurant, pub, bar or nightclub. The licensee must request you leave the premises if you are drunk.
• If you are under 18 years of age, in most circumstances it is illegal for you to be on licensed premises - this includes a nightclub, bar or pub. You risk a fine of over $700. If you are under the age of 18 then you are not allowed to drink alcohol and the safest thing to do is to not drink at all.

Consuming alcohol in other places 

• Local laws may make it illegal to consume liquor in a public place.
• If you are under the age of 18 then you are not allowed to drink alcohol except in the presence of your parents/legal guardian.
• Drinking alcohol in your rented room or apartment when on schoolies, could breach the owner's house rules, and result in your eviction.

Buying and supplying alcohol

• It is illegal to supply alcohol to a person who is under 18. If you are 18 or above and buy or supply alcohol for an underage person, you can face a fine of over $700 (and the underage person you are buying it for can also be fined over $60).
• It is illegal for bar staff to sell or supply alcohol to someone who is intoxicated. Even if you are 18 or over, if you are intoxicated, you have no right to be served alcohol. The licensee must request you leave the premises if you are drunk.
• If you use a false ID you can be fined over $200. 
• Bar staff can seize ID if they have a reasonable belief that it is fake. They must then hand it on to the police to investigate.

Buying alcohol online

• Buying alcohol over the internet is also illegal if you're under 18. 
• If you do purchase over the internet, you will need prove that you are over 18 when the alcohol is delivered.

Drinking and driving

• A ZERO blood alcohol limit applies to all Learner and Probationary licence holders.
• Apart from that, drinking and driving is just plain stupid.
• If you're stopped by police and asked to undergo a breath test, you must do so. If you don't, you can be charged, fined and disqualified from driving for at least two years.