Law in Australia

Like most developed countries in the world, Australia is largely free of the draconian laws you read about in ‘travel guides’ but it has laws and they must be obeyed.
The legal doctrine of ‘ignorance of the law is no excuse’ applies in Australia as it does elsewhere throughout the world.

So here is a few of the big ones that (as an international student) it pays not to be ignorant of:

• You have to be over 18 to purchase alcohol and cigarettes.
• It is also illegal to consume alcohol and/or smoke in most public places. As a rule of thumb, smoke and drink at home, and only drink in a restaurant, pub, or bar that has liquor license.

Also:

• You cannot buy, sell or manufacture illicit drugs and selling and manufacturing illicit drugs has a custodial sentence attached to doing it. Australia is not Amsterdam, and illicit drugs are classified as everything from marijuana to heroin and cocaine and everything in-between.
• You cannot carry weapons of any kind and depending on the weapon could carry a custodial sentence.
• Violent acts in Australia also carry the possibility of a custodial sentence as well.

That said:

It is also wise to familiarize yourself with the driving laws for each state before you take to the road. Your AA Education Agent could assist you with this when you come to Australia to study.
Overwhelmingly, Australia is a safe country with little or marginal street crime committed in most cities and suburbs throughout the country. But, Australia like anywhere has its fair share of ‘freaks’ and ‘idiots’ who don’t need a reason to give someone a hard time. So, keep your wits about yourself like you would in most major European cities. Australia also has a lot of personal freedom and is a social democracy with a strong libertarian tradition like most countries in Western Europe. So you won’t feel to out of sorts when it comes to personal freedom.
Australian police also have a good reputation for being highly professional and are very approachable if you find yourself in a bit of distress and respond favorably to people’s need of assistance when it is required. Triple zero (000) is the number in Australia you call when you need assistance and this will bring the ambulance / fire service / police if you need any of these emergency services.


And last, but not least:

It is good to remember that a libertarian society like Australia has tough anti-vilification laws that across all states and territories. So, if you have a problem with someone based on race, religion, class, creed, gender, disability or anything else that can be termed as being bigoted or offensive; keep it to yourself or you might be talking to a magistrate about your nuerosis!