Advice to motorists: As a general guide, to stay below the open licence limit of 0.05% BAC: Males can have a maximum of two standard drinks in the first hour, and one standard drink each hour after that; Females can have a maximum of one standard drink in the first hour, and one standard drink each hour after that.
It's worrying that 1 in 20 (5%) think it's safe to drink 4 alcoholic drinks and drive. But as a general rule, 2 pints of regular-strength lager or 2 small glasses of wine could put you over the limit. This equates to roughly 4.5 units of alcohol. For more information, check out our alcohol unit calculator.
Laws that apply anywhere in Australia
Drink driving – you're breaking the law if you drive and your blood alcohol concentration equal to or more than 0.05. If you're on a learners or provisional licence, your BAC must be zero.
Drink Driving
In Australia, it is an offence to drive while your BAC is 0.05 or above*. Your BAC should remain below 0.05 if you: drink no more than two standard drinks in the first hour and one per hour thereafter (for men of average size); or. drink no more than one standard drink per hour (for women of average size) ...
Under 0.02 applies to:
A BAC of 0.02 can be reached after the consumption of only one standard drink (a middy of beer, a nip of spirits or a small glass of wine). Drivers subject to a 0.02 limit should not drink any alcohol before driving.
Men—No more than 2 standard drinks in the first hour and 1 standard drink each hour after that. Women—No more than 1 standard drink each hour.
Australia's national alcohol guidelines use the 'standard drink' as a measure of alcohol consumed. One standard drink is defined as containing 10 grams of alcohol. The number of standard drinks in a serving of alcohol varies between type, size, brand, packaged or poured drinks.
Alcohol laws of Australia are laws that regulate the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The legal drinking age is 18 throughout Australia. The minimum age for the purchase of alcoholic products in Australia is 18. A licence is required to produce or sell alcohol.
Don't go over your duty free limits: General Goods: adults - AUD900, kids - AUD450, Alcohol - 2.25 litres, Tobacco - 25 cigarettes or 25g tobacco.
The general rule of thumb is that 2 standard drinks in the first hour will raise your BAC to 0.05%, and 1 standard per hour thereafter will maintain that level.
No, you can't drink alcohol on the beach in Western Australia. It is an offence in Western Australia for persons of any age to drink in public without a permit, such as on the street, park or beach.
While it is not technically illegal to eat or drink while driving, motorists can be fined if doing so leads to the distraction of a driver. “Driver distraction” is a general road rule in every Australian state which means drivers must have “full control of their vehicle at all times” and not be distracted.
If you're caught drink driving, you will have to go to court. A magistrate will decide the length of your licence disqualification and whether you will be fined or sentenced to a term of imprisonment. The severity of the penalty will depend on your: blood/breath alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the offence.
Wine and the Low Risk Guidelines
One medium-sized (175ml) glass of 13% Alcohol by Volume (ABV) wine contains 2.3 units of alcohol. So, drinking just six 175ml glasses of 13% wine, in a week, will take you to the limit of the low risk guidelines (14 units).
The standard amount of wine to get drunk is usually around 3 to 4 glasses. It's because the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) will reach the minimum amount of drunkenness at 0.25 percent.
If you are aged 18 years or over, you can bring 2.25 litres of alcohol duty-free into Australia with you. All alcohol in accompanied baggage is included in this category, regardless of where or how it was purchased.
Up to 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages (liquor, wine and champagne) per adult (passenger must be 18 years or over) can be brought into Australia duty-free. All alcohol in accompanied baggage is included in this category. Please be reminded that alcohol is subject to liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) restrictions.
If you have anything in excess of your duty free concession, declare the goods and provide proof of purchase to us for calculation of any duty and tax to be paid. Failure to declare goods in excess of your concession could result in penalties, prosecution or your visa may be cancelled.
The strongest alcohol in Australia is 96.1% ethanol, also known as rectified spirit or overproof ethanol. However, it is important to note that this high-alcohol percentage drink is not meant to be consumed straight from the bottle.
Alcohol-free zones apply to public roads and footpaths, while alcohol-prohibited areas apply to parks and civic spaces. Timed restrictions are also used. Where restrictions are in place alcohol consumption is not permitted in these areas, and police have the power to confiscate alcohol.
In Australia, alcohol banned once again in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. In response to rising crime, the authorities have temporarily reinstated alcohol consumption bans, giving the opportunity to work out solutions with the communities concerned.
It's safe to stick to a standard of no more than three glasses of wine per day, but limiting alcohol consumption may also promote more healthy living habits. Some people are considering how quitting alcohol can cure anxiety.
How long does it take alcohol to leave your body? On average it takes at least one hour for your body to clear one small alcoholic drink. For some people it can take longer. That is, at least one hour to clear a middy of beer, or a small (100ml) glass of wine, or a standard nip of spirits.
Follow the 20-minute rule
Julie Ward's “20-minute rule” – taking a 20-minute break after you've finished one drink before buying or pouring your next – is another small tweak that can make a big difference.