Laws and safety in Australia
Brisbane is generally a safe city. By following the laws and taking a few extra precautions, your stay here should be safe and worry-free.
Your safety
Carry a mobile phone with you, with your ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact entered in the phone contacts. If you are ever in immediate danger or fear for your safety, call 000 and ask for the police immediately.
Obeying the law
As a visitor to Australia, you are obliged to obey the same laws and follow the same rules as citizens. Breaking the law can result in fines, imprisonment or deportation.
Australia has several community organisations which can provide legal advice and inform you of your legal rights. If you need help or have questions, contact:
- Legal Aid Queensland - ph: 1300 651 188
- Queensland Association of Independent Legal Services - ph: 1800 244 504
- South Brisbane Immigration and Community Legal Service - ph: (07) 3846 3189
In Australia, everyone is considered equal, regardless of race, gender, country of origin, political or religious affiliation, disability, sexual preference or marital status. All people should be treated fairly. It is illegal to insult, humiliate, offend or intimidate another person based on their differences, or sexually harass anyone.
If you feel that you have been discriminated against or treated unfairly, contact one of the organisations listed above for advice.
Violence
It is illegal to act violently against another person, whether the violence happens in public or at home. Violence at home is called domestic violence. It is punished just as harshly as a crime committed in public. Domestic violence and violence against children are considered severe crimes. Anyone who engages in these crimes will be harshly punished with a jail sentence or deportation.
The environment
Native plants and animals are protected by Australian law. Collecting or capturing native plants and animals is illegal and can result in large fines or imprisonment. You should also avoid lighting fires outdoors. Australia is a dry country and one small spark from an outdoor fire can turn into a raging bushfire.
Smoking, drinking and drugs
Smoking is banned in many public places in Australia, including airports, government offices, medical centres, workplaces and within four metres of a building entrance. Smoking in restaurants and shopping centres is also banned in most states/territories. Non-smoking areas are often (but not always) shown by a sign. If you aren't sure whether smoking is permitted, ask. Smokers must also dispose of their cigarette butts in garbage bins - not on the ground. You must be 18 years or older to buy cigarettes and tobacco products.
You must be 18 years or older to drink alcohol legally in Australia. Drinking alcohol is banned in some public places, regardless of age.
All drugs, other than those prescribed by a doctor or general practitioner, are illegal in Australia.
Religion
In Australia, there is no official religion. People are allowed to practise any religion they choose, as long as it does not break any laws (such as violence against another person).
Relationships
Marriage in Australia is acceptable for men and women over the age of 18 years. Arranged marriages are less common but still acceptable, as long as both people are over the age of 18 years and willing partners. If a person is already married, they may not marry another person. Being married to more than one person at a time is illegal.
Pets and animals
Although you may want to keep a pet, there are laws about what kinds of pets you can have at home and how many. It is illegal to keep native Australian animals as pets. In Brisbane, some animals need to be registered, go to www.brisbane.qld.gov.au for information about how to register your pet.
No animal or pet can be brought into Australia without quarantine.
Australia has strict laws protecting animals from neglect and abuse. The RSPCA is an organisation set up to protect animals. RSPCA inspectors have the power to confiscate animals that are mistreated and to prosecute the animals' owners with heavy fines or imprisonment.
Please Refer to the international student handbook [
PDF 1.3MB] for more information on laws and safety in Australia.
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