Is 17 still a minor in Australia?
Asked by: Miracle Schuster | Last update: July 17, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (18 votes)
Yes, a 17-year-old is considered a minor in Australia. While you are considered an adult at 18 for most legal purposes, such as voting and buying alcohol, 17-year-olds have some legal independence, including working, driving (with restrictions), and consenting to sexual activity in most states.
Is 17 considered a minor in Australia?
About legal age in Australia
As your child grows up and becomes more independent, you might be wondering how old they need to be before they can do certain things. In Australia, you're considered to be an adult when you turn 18 years old.
Can a 17 year old sleep with a 30 year old in Australia?
Individuals under the age of 16 can consent to sexual activity if the other party is no more than two years older (the “close-in-age” exception). Once a person is 16 or over, there is no restriction on the age of their consenting partner, provided there is no relationship of care, authority or supervision.
Is it illegal for an 18 year old to date a 17 year old in Australia?
TL;DR - The age of consent
The legal age for consenting to sexual activity is 16 in most of Australia (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, NT, ACT) and 17 in SA and TAS. If one person involved is in a position of authority (e.g. a teacher or a boss), the age of consent is usually 18.
Can a 15 year old kiss a 17 year old in NSW?
In New South Wales, a person can legally consent to sexual activity once they are 16 years of age. A person who is under 16 years of age cannot lawfully consent to sexual activity, whether it be kissing, touching or sexual intercourse.
How Much Is Child Support in Australia?
Is a 3 year age gap ok for dating?
A 3-year age gap is generally not considered bad in dating and is often seen as a normal, manageable difference, especially among adults. The success of the relationship depends more on shared maturity, life stages, and mutual respect rather than the number itself.
Is it illegal for a 17 year old to date a 13 year old in the UK?
It is a criminal offence for anyone who is 16 or older to have any kind of sexual contact with someone aged 13, 14 or 15. It is also a criminal offence for both girls and boys aged 13, 14 and 15 to have consensual sex with anyone else aged 13, 14 or 15.
Is 16 and 20 legal in Australia?
Yes, a 16-year-old can legally date a 20-year-old in Australia, provided the relationship is consensual. In most states, 16 is the age of consent, making sexual activity legal between them, provided the 20-year-old is not in a position of authority (e.g., teacher, coach) over the 16-year-old.
Is it okay for a 20 year old to date a 17 year old?
A 20-year-old dating a 17-year-old is generally considered a small age gap but requires caution due to legal, developmental, and social factors. While legal in many places, it may violate "Romeo and Juliet" laws in some areas. It is critical to ensure the relationship is respectful, consensual, and legal where you live.
What is the legal dating age in Austria?
All Member States establish a minimum age for sexual consent. Most Member States set this between 14 and 16 years. The lowest minimum age is 14 years, set in seven Member States: Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Portugal. The highest is set at 18 years – in Malta.
Can I move out at 17 in Australia?
If you are under 18 and leave home, the authorities (e.g. the police and government departments) may not force you to return home if you've got a safe place to go and you can financially support yourself.
Can a 17 year old sleep with a 23 year old in Canada?
The legal age of consent in Canada is 16 years old.
These exceptions only apply if the older person is not in a position of authority or trust and there is no exploitation or dependency.
What is the age limit for dating in Australia?
Sexual consent laws
The age of sexual consent across Australia is 16 years of age, except for Tasmania and South Australia, where it's 17. Being able to give consent means you can say yes or no willingly. Adults and teenagers alike must understand that a person cannot consent if they are: under 16 (or 17 in S.A or Tas)
Is 17 no longer a minor?
Thus, when people use the term age of majority, they are generally referring to when a young person reaches the age where one is considered to be an adult. Depending upon your state law, this usually happens at some point between 18 and 21.
How do you say hello in Australian slang?
"G'day" (Good day) is the most iconic Australian slang for "hello," frequently paired with "mate" (e.g., "G'day mate"). It is a casual, versatile greeting used at any time of day, often accompanied by a nod. Other common greetings include "How ya goin'?" (How are you?) and "Hey".
What is the 37% rule in dating?
The 37% rule in dating is a mathematical formula (optimal stopping theory) suggesting that you should reject the first 37% of your potential romantic partners to establish a benchmark for what you want. After this, you should commit to the next person who is better than everyone you previously dated, which maximizes your chances of finding the best partner.
Is 22 and 29 a bad age gap?
A 7-year age gap between 22 and 29 is generally not considered "bad" or excessive, as both individuals are legally consenting adults in similar life stages, though it requires maturity from both partners. Success depends on shared goals, similar lifestyles, and mutual respect rather than the number itself.
Can a 17 year old marry a 20 year old?
Yes, a 17-year-old can marry a 20-year-old in many U.S. states, but it typically requires parental consent, and sometimes court approval. The 17-year-old is still legally a minor, making consent mandatory in most jurisdictions, and the age difference must usually be within a specific range (often 4 years or less).
What is banned for under 16 in Australia?
Under-16s in Australia have been banned from using major social media services including Tiktok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Threads.
Can a 19 year old date a 15 year old in Australia?
Dating and relationships
In general, there are no laws that say when a young person can start dating another person (but there are laws about doing sexual activity with another person, which we explain below). However, there are laws which make grooming children under the age of 16 illegal.
Can 16 year olds drink with parents in Australia?
Yes, 16-year-olds can legally drink alcohol with their parents in Australia, but only in private settings (like home) under specific conditions. It is illegal to serve alcohol to minors in public spaces or licensed venues (bars/restaurants), even if accompanied by parents.
What is the 3 6 9 rule in dating?
The 3-6-9 rule is a relationship guideline suggesting key milestones occur at the 3, 6, and 9-month marks to gauge long-term compatibility. It breaks down as the "honeymoon" phase (0–3 months), the "conflict/realization" stage (3–6 months), and the "decision-making" stage (6–9 months), helping to avoid rushing into commitments or staying in incompatible relationships too long.
Is a 17 and 20 age gap bad?
While numerically the 3-year gap isn't large, a 17-year-old and a 20-year-old are often in fundamentally different life stages (e.g., high school vs. college or the workforce). This developmental gap can create imbalances in independence, maturity, and relationship dynamics.
What is the oldest a 14-year-old can date?
For a 14-year-old, the recommended maximum age to date is typically 15 or 16, as this keeps the age gap to roughly 1–2 years. While some, especially in the same grade, might consider a slightly larger gap fine, dating anyone over 16 or 17 increases risks of, or legal issues with, "close-in-age" exceptions.