Fines and penalties
If you carry more alcohol than what's allowed into an alcohol restricted area, you are breaking the law. You can be fined or jailed.
The maximum fines are:
- $64,762 for a first offence
- $90,667 or 6 months imprisonment for a second offence
- $129,525 or 18 months imprisonment for 3 or more offences.
These fines are current from 1 July.
Drinking in public
In restricted areas, you can't drink alcohol in a public place unless it is:
- a licensed premises, like a pub, bar or hotel
- one of 2 public camping grounds in the Northern Peninsula Area where drinking is allowed.
You can be fined on the spot.
Check individual communities for information about the restrictions and penalties that apply.
Sly grog
Sly grog is illegal alcohol that's sold or supplied without a licence or permit.
It can be a major cause of harm, violence, poor health and poverty in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Phone the confidential Sly Grog Hotline on 1800 500 815 to report sly grog.
Homebrew
Homebrew and homebrew equipment are banned in communities with a zero-alcohol limit and in Doomadgee.
The ban means it is illegal to:
- have any part of a homebrew kit, including a fermenter, airlock or thermometer
- have anything else that is or was used to brew alcohol
- have homebrew concentrate
- have any homemade alcohol
- give homemade alcohol to anyone else.
The maximum penalty is $32,813.
More information
Read more about the restrictions and penalties that apply in different areas.