Alcohol - Information for parents

Supply of liquor to minors: The laws changed on 18 December 2017 to introduce new penalties for people who illegally supply alcohol to anyone under 18. Read more on the Consumer and Business Services website

The majority of teenagers don’t drink alcohol. For those that do, reasons may include:

  • family example
  • thinking that most teenagers drink alcohol (research shows they actually don’t)
  • peer pressure
  • fitting in
  • drinking culture
  • alcohol advertising
  • having few interests.

How much is too much for young people?

Guideline 2 of the Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol recommends that:

  • Children and people under 18 years of age
    To reduce the risk of injury and other harms to health, children and people under 18 years of age, should not drink alcohol. 


Resources for parents

Often, parents can be a major influence in helping their child to make good decisions regarding alcohol.

The risks of drinking alcohol page outlines the harms related to drinking too much alcohol in a single occasion and also over a lifetime.

The Parenting SA Young people, alcohol and drugs Parent Easy Guide provides useful information for parents about how they can influence their child's choices about drinking alcohol.

The Australian Drug Foundation's Talking with your teenager about alcohol and other drugs fact sheet is a good source of information to help parents discuss the risks associated with drinking alcohol with their children.

Visit the Young people and alcohol section for information regarding parties where alcohol will be available, your legal obligations and also tips parents can pass onto their child for safer end-of-year celebrations (Schoolies).

SA Health's Safer celebrations: Plan a safer party (PDF 56.8KB) fact sheet contains information about planning safer parties.

Helpline information

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) - 1300 13 1340
Confidential telephone counselling, information and referral available between 8.30 am and 10.00 pm every day.

Parent Helpline - 1300 364 100
A telephone information service for parents in South Australia.