leaving children home alone in Australia
Catherine is a family law researcher and mother of two from Melbourne. she writes about child safety regulations and parenting law in Australia.
the short answer
there is no specific legal age in most Australian states for when a child can be left home alone. Queensland is the only exception — it sets the age at 12.
in every other state and territory, the law says you must not leave a child without "adequate supervision" for an "unreasonable time." this means it depends on the child's maturity, not just their age. a mature 10-year-old might be fine for 30 minutes. an immature 13-year-old might not be.
state by state rules
New South Wales
NSWno minimum age specified. the Criminal Code says a parent must provide for a child's needs including supervision. leaving a child without adequate supervision can result in charges of neglect with fines and/or imprisonment.
Victoria
VICno minimum age. the Children Youth and Families Act 2005 states that a person must not leave a child without adequate supervision. penalties apply for failing to provide adequate supervision.
Queensland
age 12 — only state with a specific ageQueensland is the only state with a specific legal age. under the Criminal Code, it is an offence to leave a child under 12 for an "unreasonable time" without appropriate supervision. the maximum penalty is 3 years imprisonment.
South Australia
SAno minimum age. the Criminal Law Consolidation Act covers neglect offences where a child is left without appropriate care or supervision.
Western Australia
WAno minimum age. the Children and Community Services Act requires that children are adequately supervised. leaving a child without proper supervision may constitute neglect.
Tasmania
TASno minimum age. the Children Young Persons and Their Families Act covers the duty of care requirements for children in Tasmania.
Australian Capital Territory
ACTno minimum age specified in law, but government guidelines suggest children should generally not be left home alone before the age of 10 to 12, depending on maturity.
Northern Territory
NTno minimum age. general child welfare laws require that children are not left without adequate care and supervision.
maturity checklist — is your child ready?
since the law in most states focuses on maturity rather than age, here are the key questions to ask yourself before leaving your child home alone.
- can they handle an emergency? do they know how to call 000?
- do they know what to do if someone knocks on the door?
- can they follow rules consistently when you're not watching?
- are they comfortable being alone — or do they get anxious?
- do they know basic first aid (cuts, burns, what not to touch)?
- can they lock and unlock the doors themselves?
- do they have a phone or way to contact you immediately?
if you answered "no" to any of these, your child may not be ready — regardless of their age.
leaving a child in a car
it is illegal in ALL Australian states and territories to leave a child unattended in a car — even for a few minutes.
the temperature inside a parked car can rise by 20°C in just 10 minutes. on a 30°C day, the interior can reach 50°C or more. children overheat 3 to 5 times faster than adults. this can be fatal.
| state | maximum penalty |
|---|---|
| NSW | up to $22,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment |
| VIC | up to $8,000 |
| QLD | up to $8,000 |
| SA | significant fines apply |
| WA | significant fines apply |
| TAS | significant fines apply |
| ACT | significant fines apply |
| NT | significant fines apply |
never leave a child unattended in a vehicle. not even for one minute.
babysitting siblings
there is no legal minimum age for babysitting siblings in Australia. the same "adequate supervision" standard applies — you need to be confident the arrangement is safe.
consider these questions before leaving an older child in charge:
- -can the older child manage an emergency (call 000, basic first aid)?
- -are the younger children old enough to be somewhat cooperative?
- -start with short periods (30 minutes) and build up gradually
- -leave emergency numbers clearly visible — fridge, noticeboard, or saved in a phone
general guidelines (not legal requirements)
these are commonly cited age guidelines. they are not law — every child is different and maturity matters more than age.
under 8
should not be left alone at all. children this age need direct supervision.
8 to 10
very short periods only (5 to 10 minutes). the child must be comfortable, the environment must be safe, and you should be nearby and reachable.
10 to 12
can be left for short periods during the day, depending on maturity. not overnight. should have a way to contact you and know what to do in an emergency.
12 and over
can generally be left for reasonable periods. many children this age can manage a few hours alone after school. still not recommended for overnight without another responsible person nearby.
related guides
this guide is for informational purposes only. it is based on publicly available legislation and government guidelines from each state and territory, and was accurate at the time of writing. laws can change — always check your state or territory's child protection authority for the latest rules. this is not legal advice. mini mode is not affiliated with any government agency.