To get learner permits or licences to drive cars, children must be 16 years old, except in the Australian Capital Territory, where it’s 15 years and 9 months. In most states and territories, the person supplying the alcohol must also supervise the child responsibly. "If you're having any or all of these feelings, remember it’s ok to feel that way! The important thing is to take care of yourself." There’s no one law in Australia that says how old your child has to be before you can leave them alone. It would be unlikely that you would be forced to return to a home where there is family violence and abuse.
But the legislation also says that whether the time is unreasonable depends on all the relevant circumstances. You do not need a negative COVID-19 test to leave Australia from 18 April 2022. For country-specific travel advice seeSmartravellerand check with the nearest embassy or consulate of the destination you’re planning to visit for latest advice on requirements for entry. Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. As children grow up they often plead with you to let them stay home alone. This is normal for young people who are trying to feel more adult and independent.
Leaving Australia
There’s no safe level of alcohol use for children under the age of 18 years. And it isn’t safe for anyone to use illegal drugs or smoke at any age. Alcohol and other drugs can affect children’s health, brain development, behaviour, schoolwork and relationships. In some states and territories, it’s legal to supply alcohol to children under 18 years on private premises like home or friends’ homes if you have approval from a child’s parent or guardian. Earlier this year, a young woman from Sydney was charged with child abandonment after leaving her three-month-old baby alone for several hours.
In Victoria and Tasmania, sexting is legal if both people are under 18 and there’s no more than a 2-year age gap. In most Australian states and territories, the age at which you can legally consent to have sex is 16 years. The exceptions to this are South Australia and Tasmania, where it’s 17 years. The legal age for gambling is 18 years in all states and territories.
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There might be special exemptions in some states and territories for children who want to leave school before they’ve finished Year 10. Most states and territories allow children to leave school after they’ve finished Year 10. From 16, children can consent to medical and dental treatment in the same way that adults can.
If you’re thinking about leaving home and need some support, Kids Helpline is always here to help. You might start by leaving your child at home while you duck out to pick up a few groceries and build up to leaving them alone for an hour after school. In Victoria, the penalty for leaving children unattended is a fine of 25 penalty units, imprisonment for six months, or both. But in Australia, the law says that it's a parent's legal obligation to ensure children are safe and adequately looked after. For one, it can help them learn to be more independent, provided they’re mature enough to handle it.
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Other countries, such as Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, and other European countries, follow a “family service” orientation. Sure, parents may threaten to throw out their kids during heated arguments, and kids might threaten to run away from home. But Australian Law protects children below the age of 18 and punishes parents who abandon their children. If you need to leave home immediately because it is not safe but you don’t have anywhere to go you can call a crisis support centre to help you find some accommodation.
Once again, the age and maturity of your children will make a difference. You may feel confident with a 13 year old who is very responsible, but worry about a 16 year old who may take risks. How long you are going to be away will make a difference to what you decide to do. You need to think about the age of children, how they feel about being left and most importantly how capable they are. It is important to have family rules about what children can and cannot do. These may be different when you are not there or when someone else is minding your children.
Like we said earlier, the law in most states don’t specify an age limit. In fact, they don’t even say anything about leaving a child at home alone. Instead, these child protection laws are more general and focus on a child’s safety and well-being. But while the penalties may vary depending on the state or territory, the laws throughout Australia are consistent in saying that parents have an obligation toward children below the age of 18. It’s not easy to decide whether to leave children at home on their own.
You can leave home at any age providing you have a safe place to go to. Leaving home is always a big step, so make sure to do it the right way, and to do it for the right reasons. Parents should remember that it’s still a daunting world out there, and they should make sure their children are prepared to face it when they finally step out on their own. Please select your state or territory to view legal information that applies to you. If you have a problem or a question, you can send it to us today and we can provide you with free advice, information and referrals to help solve your problem.
There have been cases where parents have received fines, even when they've allegedly left their children under the care of their friends. In the ACT, Care and Protection can remove children from situations where their immediate safety is in danger, and there is no responsible adult or guardian present. According to the 1900 Crimes Act, parents can be charged in Canberra with an offence if children are left in a dangerous situation and are not fed, clothed or provided with accommodation. InQueensland, if you leave a child under 12 years of age for an unreasonable amount of time without supervision and care, you have committed a criminal offence.
In Queensland, leaving children under 12 at home for an "unreasonable time" without supervision is considered a misdemeanour. Thelegislation also says that "unreasonable time" depends on all the surrounding circumstances. If you think your child is mature enough and your home has everything your child needs while you’re out, it would be legally fine to leave them at home alone.
For the most part, Australian child protection laws are similar to the laws in other countries. In the UK, the law is also very general and heavily dependent on context. The US also has similar laws, though three of its states do have minimum age requirements for leaving a child at home alone. But you might feel OK leaving a pre-teen child alone for half an hour if they can follow household safety rules and know who to contact in an emergency.
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