Graffiti offences
Part of the Crime topic
Understand what graffiti is, and what you must do and cannot do to follow the law in Queensland.
In short
Graffiti is a form of vandalism and is illegal in Queensland.
If you deface property with graffiti, you can be charged with wilful damage which is punishable by imprisonment.
It is also an offence to be in possession of an aerosol spray, marker or other instrument which:
- is being used for graffiti
- is suspected of having been used for graffiti
- may be about to be used for graffiti.
This page provides a summary of Queensland's graffiti laws. It's not exhaustive and should not be considered legal advice. Consult with a qualified legal professional for comprehensive information or matter-specific advice.
You must
To comply with the law in Queensland you must:
- remove unlawful graffiti from your property as soon as possible if it’s been defaced
- comply with request from your local council to remove graffiti within an agreed timeframe
- report graffiti offences to police or your local council.
You cannot
To comply with the law in Queensland you cannot:
- deface property with graffiti including, spraying, drawing, marking, scratching or etching without the owner’s consent
- possess an aerosol spray, marker or other instruments used for graffiti or suspected to have been used for graffiti.
Managed by: Department of Justice