Drinking age in the Northern Territory (2026)

Last reviewed: 29 October 2026

In short: In the Northern Territory a child is a person under 18. Supplying liquor to a child is an offence unless the supplier is the child's parent, step-parent, spouse or guardian and supervises responsibly. Drinking in public is banned in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Palmerston, Tennant Creek and within 2 km of licensed premises.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age to buy beer and wineBuying and drinking alcohol18 years [1]
Minimum age to buy spiritsBuying and drinking alcohol18 years [1]
Drinking by younger people with an adultBuying and drinking alcoholAn adult who is a parent, step-parent, spouse or guardian of a child may serve or supply liquor to the child if they supervise responsibly. Anyone else commits an offence (100 penalty units). A defence applies for liquor supplied for worship in a religious service by a person approved by the Director. A child must not consume or possess liquor on or in licensed premises. [1]
Drinking in public placesBuying and drinking alcoholA person must not consume liquor in a public place (or in a vehicle at a public place) in Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine, Palmerston, Tennant Creek, the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, any council area that declares it, and any public place within 2 km of licensed premises. Exceptions and permits apply under Division 6. [1]
Where and when alcohol is soldBuying and drinking alcoholA licensee commits an offence (200 penalty units) if their conduct results in a child being sold, supplied with, served or consuming liquor on or in licensed premises; for a licensee's employee the maximum is 100 penalty units. Defences include that the person was at least 16 and showed identification reasonably acceptable as indicating they were an adult. [1]

Notes

  • Controlled areas (general and special restricted areas, interim alcohol protected areas) can add further bans; an interim alcohol protected area Division is repealed on 28 February 2027.

Sources

  1. Northern Territory Government: Liquor Act 2019 (NT), as in force at 31 August 2026 (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Northern Territory

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Hire e-scooters only (Beam) · Minimum age: 18 (hire e-scooters)
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; up to 50 g may get an infringement notice · Growing at home: Banned; up to 2 plants may get a notice
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 60 km/h (many towns 50 km/h or less) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 110 km/h
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container deposit scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 years 6 months (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prohibited drug in body is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC detected
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes, on 1 July (Territory Day) only · Minimum age to buy: 18+
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, for up to 3 months · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Transfer within 3 months of living in the NT
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Approval needed · Nature of the parental duty: School or approval
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without lawful excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick, butterfly and sheath-concealed knives prohibited
  • MopedsMinimum age to ride: From 16 · Licence: Class R (VM: moped only)
  • Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
  • Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
  • Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hand-held banned; L/P: any phone
  • Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
  • Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, all homes
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
  • Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% (low range) · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.