The age set by law is 18 in all eight states and territories. A current passport appears in every official list we could open. An overseas driver licence appears only in some. Each venue may also have its own rules, so check its website too.
Which documents does each state accept?
Each state publishes its list, except the Northern Territory in the law we opened:
| State | Documents cited | Overseas licence? | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Licence from this state or another, physical or digital; Australian or foreign passport; NSW Photo Card; official proof of age card; Keypass | Yes | Government, undated |
| Victoria | Australian licence or learner permit, physical or digital; proof of age card; Keypass; Australian or foreign passport; Victorian marine licence | Yes. If not in English, with an official translation or international permit | Government, 18 Aug 2026 |
| Queensland | Photo identification card; Australian licence or learner permit; passport from any country; digital licence from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria or South Australia | Yes. If not in English, with an international permit in English and with a photo | Government, 1 Jul 2026 |
| Western Australia | Australian photo licence, and digital from four states; current passport; WA Photo Card; proof of age card; learner permit with photo; physical Keypass | Not cited | Government, 19 Jun 2026 |
| South Australia | Photo licence from any state; proof of age card; passport from Australia or another country; Keypass | Not cited | Regulations, 2021 version |
| Tasmania | Licence issued in Australia, also digital; firearms licence; passport; Keypass; official document with name, photo and age | Not cited | Government, undated |
| Australian Capital Territory | Australian licence; identity card; passport; Keypass. With photo and date of birth | Yes | Act, in force from 26 Nov 2025 |
| Northern Territory | No list: it speaks of a document reasonably acceptable as proof of adult age | Not stated | Act, 2019 version |
Western Australia and Tasmania say "passport", without making clear whether a foreign one is valid.
In New South Wales and Victoria they can ask for it from anyone who looks under 25. Keypass is being phased out, with different dates depending on the state. Western Australia says physical cards are valid until they expire. In Queensland, venues in Safe Night Precincts that are regularly open after midnight usually scan the document.
Can you enter if you are under 18?
It depends on the state and the area of the venue: the general rule is no, with specific exceptions.
- New South Wales: you must be 18, except in certain areas with a responsible adult, such as parents or guardians, and in cases such as weddings or work.
- Queensland: not allowed, except for exceptions such as working there, eating or being with a supervising adult. Eating or being with an adult does not apply in venues with a nightclub licence after 5:00 pm.
- South Australia: anyone under 18 cannot drink or carry alcohol in a venue, even with their parents. Some rules ban certain venues at certain times.
- Australian Capital Territory: adult-only areas are decided by the regulator, and there is an exception for supervising parents or guardians.
- Northern Territory: the regulator can ban minors from areas, or those without parents or guardians.
At concert venues, the age usually depends on each event. There are specific venues in nightlife in Australia and At night.
Is a photo of the document valid?
Not in the states that make it clear, because the document must be original and current.
- Western Australia: does not accept photos or screenshots.
- Tasmania: with a digital document, staff ask you to swipe the screen to check it is not a screenshot.
- Queensland: it must be current and carry a photo and date of birth. If in doubt, entry is refused.
- Australian Capital Territory: an expired document counts as a false document.
What happens if you use a false document?
It is an offence with a fine, and the venue may keep the document.
- New South Wales: fine of up to A$2,200, or A$220 on the spot.
- Victoria: staff may keep a false or someone else's document, subject to limits with the driver licence, and hand it to the police.
- South Australia: it can be kept and handed to the police within 7 days, but not a passport.
- Tasmania: use of a false document by minors is punished with up to 10 penalty units.
What do the rules say about RSA?
RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) is the training that states require of people who serve alcohol, and the laws we could open prohibit serving an intoxicated person.
- New South Wales: the course is for anyone who sells, serves or supplies alcohol, also security and volunteers. As soon as staff know someone is intoxicated they must stop serving them, ask them to leave and, if they do not, call the police. They cannot serve them again even if they later seem sober.
- Queensland: all staff who serve need the certificate, whatever their age.
- South Australia: the training covers staff, volunteers and security.
- Tasmania: it is an offence to sell, serve or let in anyone reasonably believed to be intoxicated.
- Australian Capital Territory: the law considers a person intoxicated if their speech, balance, coordination or behaviour is noticeably affected. Staff may refuse to serve anyone who does not show ID.
- Northern Territory: serving an intoxicated person in a venue carries a fine of up to 200 penalty units.
The deadlines and validity of the course are in hospitality and the RSA course by state.
What we could not confirm
Several official pages could not be checked or do not cover this point:
- Territories: we could not check nt.gov.au and Access Canberra, so we used the laws. The Northern Territory one is from 2019 and may have changed.
- Victoria: we did not open its page on minors in venues.
- Western Australia: the page we opened talks about buying and asking for proof of age, not about when a minor can enter.
- South Australia: we did not open its page on minors. The regulations speak of a "suspected minor", and the Law Handbook, reviewed in February 2025, says suspicion is not needed.
Sources
All opened on 5 November 2026.
- Underage drinking, intoxicated patrons and RSA, Liquor & Gaming NSW (official)
- Checking IDs and acceptable forms of ID, Victorian Government, 18 August 2026 (official)
- Business Queensland (official): ID for scanners, minors and exemptions
- Drinking safely in Queensland venues, reviewed in August 2025 (official)
- Proof of age, Western Australia, 19 June 2026 (official)
- Liquor Licensing (General) Regulations 2012, version of 22 October 2021 (official)
- Key responsibilities of liquor licensees, South Australia, 30 June 2025 (official)
- Young people and alcohol, May 2026, and Law Handbook, February 2025, Legal Services Commission of South Australia (official)
- Evidence of age documents, undated, and Responsible service of alcohol, Tasmania (official)
- Liquor Act 2010 and Liquor Regulation 2010, Australian Capital Territory, 26 November 2025 (official)
- Liquor Act 2019, Northern Territory, version of 7 November 2019 (official)