Australia

Penalties for drug possession, use and trafficking in Australia are strict.

Convicted offenders can expect lengthy sentences and fines.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Cannabis is illegal across Australia with one narrow exception: in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) the possession offence does not apply to adults aged 18 and over holding no more than the small quantity set by regulation — 50 g of dried cannabis, or 150 g of harvested cannabis that has not been dried. Everything around that exception is still an offence, including holding more than the small quantity, cultivating more than 4 plants at the premises, growing anywhere other than where you live, using it in public, and selling, sharing or giving it away. Every other state and territory treats possession as a criminal matter, and driving with any amount in your system is an offence nationwide.

In the ACT: possessing more than a small quantity of cannabis, up to 50 penalty units, 6 months' imprisonment or both; cultivating at premises where more than 4 plants are grown, cultivating away from where you live, cultivating in a publicly accessible area, or failing to store harvested cannabis out of reach of children, up to 50 penalty units, 2 years' imprisonment or both (Drugs of Dependence Act 1989 (ACT), ss 171AA-171AAC). Outside the ACT, penalties range from fines to life imprisonment depending on the type and quantity of drug involved. Unlawfully importing products containing cannabis may bring large fines or imprisonment.

Verified Aug 30, 2026

Australia enforces strict biosecurity controls on importing agricultural goods, including plants, food and wood products, plus quarantine standards for animals and pets.

Undeclared biosecurity-risk items can be seized and carry penalties.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Cash of AUD 10,000 or more (or foreign equivalent) must be declared when entering or leaving Australia.

Undeclared amounts at or over the threshold may be seized.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Australia enforces strict rules on importing agricultural goods — plants, food, and wood products — plus strict animal quarantine; undeclared items are a serious offense.

Removal, arrest, or detention for violations

Verified Jul 1, 2026

Do not pack a vape for Australia. Importing vaping goods — vapes, disposable vapes, pods, cartridges and e-liquids — is prohibited unless the importer holds both a licence and a written permission granted by a prescribed authority, the permission is produced to the Collector, and the goods arrive by means other than post (Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, reg. 5A(1)). The only routes open to a passenger are therapeutic. Reg. 5A(2) lets a person on board a ship or aircraft carry vaping goods presented as being for the treatment of themselves or someone in their care, capped at 2 vapes, 20 cartridges, capsules or pods, and 200 ml of vape substances in liquid form. Reg. 5A(3) separately exempts goods meeting reg. 5(2)(b), which requires that they were prescribed by a medical practitioner and supplied in accordance with that prescription. A recreational vape in your luggage meets neither.

Verified Sep 23, 2026

Driving under the influence of alcohol can result in jail time in Australia, and random roadside breath testing is common.

Jail time for DUI.

Verified Jul 1, 2026

It is illegal to photograph certain buildings, including inside parts of Australian airports, near prisons, and at military bases.

Removal, arrest, or detention

Verified Jul 1, 2026

There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or LGB events; federal law bars discrimination based on sexual orientation and same-sex marriage has been legal since 2017.

Verified Jul 1, 2026