Drinking age in Tasmania (2026)

Last reviewed: 29 October 2026

In short: In Tasmania a person under 18 must not purchase liquor, and liquor may not be sold, served or supplied to anyone under 18 on licensed or permit premises. This was read in the Liquor Licensing Act 1990; rules for private premises and public places were not found there.

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 alcoholA person under 18 may be in a part of licensed premises designated as off-limits to under-18s only to have a meal or in the company of a responsible adult (a parent, step-parent, guardian, spouse or partner of the minor, or a person with parental responsibility, aged 18 or over), where the area is designated for that exception. [1]
Drinking in public placesBuying and drinking alcohol⚠ Not yet verified
Where and when alcohol is soldBuying and drinking alcoholA person must not sell or serve liquor to a person under 18 on licensed premises or permit premises (50 penalty units; 100 for a licensee whose authorised person does so), and must not supply liquor to a person under 18 there (50). A person under 18 must not purchase liquor (10 penalty units), consume liquor on licensed or permit premises, or be sent to buy liquor. [1]

Notes

  • Only the Liquor Licensing Act 1990 was read. Supply to under-18s on private property is said by Tasmania Police to fall under the Police Offences Act 1935, which was not read.
  • No rule on drinking in public places was found in the Liquor Licensing Act 1990.

Sources

  1. Tasmanian Government: Liquor Licensing Act 1990 (Tas), current in-force version (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Tasmania

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and local roads up to 50 km/h · Minimum age: 16
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence · Growing at home: Banned
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h sealed, 80 km/h gravel
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, since 1 May 2025 · 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 illicit drug present is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC present
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes, on Cracker Night (permit) · Minimum age to buy: 18 (permit holder)
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, visitors and temporary visa holders · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent residency: convert within 6 months
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Registrar approval needed · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without lawful excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule
  • MopedsLicence: Motor cycle licence (class R)
  • 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 untouched; 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 · Minimum alarms and where: A smoke alarm in every hallway or corridor connected to bedrooms (or between the bedrooms and the rest of the home if there is no hallway). Multi-storey homes need an alarm on each level, including levels without bedrooms.
  • 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% · 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.