Cannabis — Australia
What travelers need to know about cannabis in Australia. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Cannabis in Australia: allowed only under specific conditions.
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.
§ ACT Legislation Register (ACT Parliamentary Counsel) - Drugs of Dependence Act 1989 (ACT), ss 171AA-171AB, R42 effective 16/11/2025Verified Aug 30, 2026