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Drug law in AustraliaPlease note: This information does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon in this way. The information is correct at the time of publication. For information specific to your situation contact a legal aid service in your state or territory. Although we think of some drugs being legal, and others being illegal, many drugs are somewhere in between. Some substances are legal, but there are laws restricting their use or sale. Others are illegal to use, possess or produce. See below for an outline of laws relating to individual drugs in Australia. For more detailed information contact a legal aid service in your state or territory. Legal and restricted drugsAlcoholThere are laws that govern how alcohol may be used. These laws may differ depending on the state, territory or local area. For example, in some areas local by-laws make it illegal to drink alcohol in public places such as beaches, parks and streets. It is an offence for a person who is under 18 years of age to buy, receive or drink alcohol on licensed premises, unless they are with a parent or guardian. In some states in Australia, it is also an offence to supply a person under 18 years of age with alcohol in a private home, unless the young person’s parent or guardian has given permission and the alcohol is supplied in a responsible manner. This is known as secondary supply. It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. Penalties for breaking these laws can include fines, imprisonment and disqualification from driving. Employers have legal obligations in relation to health and safety of their workers and people who visit their workplace. Find out more about the responsibilities of employers and employees. TobaccoFederal and state laws make it an offence to sell or supply tobacco products to people under 18 years of age. It is also illegal for anyone under 18 years to purchase tobacco products. There are laws that regulate and restrict how tobacco products are advertised, promoted and packaged. There are also laws and regulations that restrict smoking in public areas such as shopping centres, cafes and workplaces. Most states and territories have laws that ban smoking in cars with children. InhalantsInhalant use is not a criminal offence in any Australian state or territory. In recent years, some Australian states and territories have revised police powers to intervene in inhalant use in two main ways. Police are authorised to:
It is also illegal in some states and territories for shopkeepers to sell products to someone if they believe they are to be used for inhaling. AmphetaminesUse of amphetamines is restricted. They can only be prescribed by a medical practitioner for medical reasons. Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making, selling or driving under the influence of amphetamines without a prescription from an authorised person. There are also laws against forging or alerting a prescription or making false representation to obtain amphetamines or a prescription for them. Laws have been introduced that prevent the sale and possession of ice pipes in some states and territories. BenzodiazepinesUsing benzodiazepines without a prescription from a doctor, or selling or giving them to someone else, is illegal. There are also laws against forging or altering a prescription or making false representation to obtain benzodiazepines or a prescription for them. KetamineLegally produced ketamine is a restricted substance and only a doctor or vet may prescribe or administer it. All other ketamine is illegal in Australia. Federal and state laws provide penalties for the illegal use, possession, production, selling or driving under the influence of ketamine. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment and disqualification from driving. Illegal drugsThe following drugs are some of the drugs that are illegal in Australia. Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making or selling them, or driving under their influence.
There are also laws that prevent the sale and possession of bongs and other smoking equipment in some states and territories. (For example, Victoria has passed new legislation that will ban the sale of cannabis water pipes (bongs) from January 2012.) Drug offencesDrug laws in Australia distinguish between those who use drugs and those who supply or traffic drugs. The Federal Customs Act covers the importing of drugs, and each state has its own laws governing the manufacture, possession, distribution and use of drugs, both legal and illegal. The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act (DPCSA) includes these major drug offences: Use includes smoking, inhaling of fumes, or otherwise introducing a drug of dependence, into a person's body (including another person's body). Possession is the most common offence. Possession means having control or custody of a drug. Knowledge of such possession must be proven in court. Possession applies both to drugs found on the person or their property, unless it is proven the drugs do not belong to that person. Cultivation is the act of sowing, planting, growing, tending, nurturing or harvesting a narcotic plant. Trafficking is a very serious offence. It includes the preparing of a drug of dependence for trafficking; manufacturing a drug of dependence; or selling, exchanging, agreeing to sell, offering for sale or having in possession for sale, a drug of dependence. If this is done in commercial quantities, the penalties are extremely severe. DrivingIt is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs. Breaking this law carries penalties including disqualification from driving, heavy fines and/or imprisonment. Some states have introduced random roadside testing for cannabis and amphetamines. Read more about drugs and driving. PenaltiesPenalties for breaking laws in relation to alcohol and other drugs may include fines, imprisonment and disqualification from driving. Drug diversionSome states and territories have drug diversion programs that refer people with a drug problem to treatment and/or education programs where they can receive help, rather than going through the criminal justice system. For information specific to your situation contact a legal aid service in your state or territory. 7 December 2010 |
