Drinking age in South Australia (2026)

Last reviewed: 29 October 2026

In short: In South Australia you must be 18 or older to buy alcohol. Under-18s may be given liquor at a private party only by a responsible adult or with a parent's permission and under responsible supervision. Drinking is banned in declared dry zones.

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 alcoholAt a private party it is an offence to supply a child with alcohol unless the supplier is a responsible adult and the supply is consistent with responsible supervision (maximum fine $10,000; $500 expiation fee). Under-18s may drink in an unlicensed public place only with a parent or guardian, or a responsible adult who has the parent's or guardian's permission and supervises. On licensed premises it is an offence even with a parent. Liquor can be supplied at meals in the presence of a child but not served to the child. [2]
Drinking in public placesBuying and drinking alcoholIt is an offence for anyone of any age to drink alcohol in a public area declared a dry zone. Under-18s may drink in a public place only with a parent or guardian, or a responsible adult with the parent's or guardian's permission. [1]
Where and when alcohol is soldBuying and drinking alcoholIf a child is sold or given liquor on licensed premises, the licensee, responsible person and the person supplying commit offences (maximum $20,000 for a first offence by a licensee or responsible person, $40,000 for later offences, $5,000 for any other person; expiation fee $1,200). Children cannot enter or remain on premises with a late night permit or an entertainment venue licence. [2]

Notes

  • The Liquor Licensing Act 1997 on legislation.sa.gov.au returned HTTP 403 and the sa.gov.au guidance pages did too, so the rules are taken from the Legal Services Commission of South Australia, a state statutory body. The factsheet cites no section numbers; the Law Handbook cites s 110, s 110A and s 112.

Sources

  1. Legal Services Commission of South Australia: Young People and Alcohol Factsheet (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Legal Services Commission of South Australia: The Law Handbook: Alcohol, vaping, tobacco products, and other drugs (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in South Australia

  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; usually an expiation notice (fine) · Growing at home: Banned; small numbers expiable
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h (110 km/h where signed)
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, since 1977 · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (P1 licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prescribed drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC detected
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (general use only)
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes for short-term visitors · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent resident: SA licence within 90 days
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Approval (exemption) needed · Nature of the parental duty: School attendance
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence under s 21E (details not read)
  • MopedsLicence: Any SA licence
  • 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: Mounted, or used without touching; L/P1: none
  • 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%

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