When I think of the words “home alone,” visions of eight-year-old Kevin McCallister defending his home from thieves with carefully constructed traps come to mind. In most Australian states and territories, the age at which you can legally consent is 16. The exceptions are South Australia and Tasmania, where he is 17. If children are 18 years old, they can give their full legal consent to medical treatment and refuse it. “And even if you think your child is doing well at home, you`re still responsible for their safety.” “I`m a teacher and I can`t get home in time to pick up my two boys,” she says. Teenagers, on the other hand, might ask you to leave them home alone. This is a normal part of adolescence, when young people are trying to feel more independent. If you stay in touch with your child during adolescence, your child will likely be better able to avoid pressure, be involved in risky behavior, or illegal activities. But if you`re worried about your child`s behavior, seek help by talking to your primary care doctor or calling your state or territory parenting helpline. If you are under 18 and want to move, it usually depends on your personal situation. It`s not illegal to leave home before the age of 18, but since your parents have a responsibility to take care of you, they may let you come home. If the police are involved, they will check where you are and whether you are safe or not, and check whether you are safe at home or not. A question frequently asked by many parents is, “At what age can my children be left home alone?” Here`s a checklist you can use to make sure your kids know what they can and can`t do and how to deal with emergencies while you`re on the go.

The situation only becomes doubtful when you have to leave your minor children alone at home. When you leave the house, it is very important that you take an ID (birth certificate, passport, credit card, smart rider) as well as all necessary clothes and toiletries. It may be that once you leave the house, your parents refuse to give you these items, which can lead to difficulties. There are different services for abandoned children depending on the state or territory in which they are located. One service in New South Wales is Link2Home, a homelessness information and referral hotline for homeless people or anyone at risk of becoming homeless, or even someone who advocates for the homeless. Link2Home has a 24/7 hotline at 1800 152 152. A minor who finds himself on the street because he has been abandoned by his parents or because he has run away from home is certainly in a frightening situation, but in Australia there are many institutions that are ready to help a child in need, such as the police and child welfare services. If something goes wrong, a parent can be blamed not only for their children, but also for the caregiver under the age of 18.

For these reasons, it is preferable that caregivers be adults. A person who is legally still a child would not be judged according to the standards of responsibility expected of adults. If you are concerned about becoming homeless, or if you are homeless, you can visit Link2Home – a homelessness information and referral hotline for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, or someone who advocates on behalf of a homeless person. You can call them at any time of the day or night at 1800 152 152. You can also visit their website here. Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to drink alcohol in private places such as their own home or friends, unless the alcohol is provided by a parent, guardian or person who has received permission from a parent or guardian. If there is no parental permission, the person providing the alcohol may break the law. The law does not provide clear guidelines as to the age at which a child can be left home alone, so you as a parent must apply your own judgment based on your own family situation and the age and maturity of your children. NSW Department of Communities and Justice – Leaving children alone at home As there is no final minimum age law outside of Queensland that sets 12 – parental judgment is used to ensure a child is safe and their needs are met, both legal requirements for leaving a child unsupervised by an adult. In Australia, you are considered an adult when you turn 18. But for some things, the legal age may be younger. If you ask “at what age can a child be left alone with a babysitter at home”, you will only get the same answer as before.

Not only is there no minimum age to leave a child with a babysitter, but there is also no minimum age for babysitters themselves! But if something happens to the children while they are in the care of underage babysitters, the children`s parents or guardians and the babysitter are responsible for everything that happens. If someone has hurt you or you think they will soon, please call 000 and try to go to a safe place, such as your local medical center, hospital or police station. If you would like more information on what to do in cases of violence in the home, please visit our pages on child abuse and domestic violence. But if children want to leave school after Grade 10, the law could say they must do some other form of education or a mix of education, training or employment by the time they turn 17. In Western Australia, the age is 17 years and 6 months. In Tasmania, the age is 18 years or when children complete their other education (whichever comes first). In Queensland, if you leave a child under the age of 12 unattended for an inappropriate period of time, you have committed a crime. But the legislation also states that whether the delay is unreasonable depends on all the relevant circumstances.

Elsewhere in Australia, the law states that you have a legal duty to ensure that your child is safe and that your child`s needs are met. You can be charged with a crime if your child is left in a dangerous situation, not fed, clothed or housed. You have the right to talk to a lawyer at any age if you think you have a legal problem. The overwhelming consensus of parents I spoke to was that the minimum age to leave children at home is 10. “This includes things like knowing what to do in the event of a fire and having a plan if someone knocks on the door,” says Professor Green. Other services include First Point in Canberra, ACT. ShelterMe, a housing service for NT. The WA Alliance to End Homelessness in Western Australia. Safe steps, a 24/7 domestic violence support service at VIC. Brisbane Youth Service, a Level 3 housing provider registered in QLD. Housing Connect, for emergency shelters or long-term homes in TAS. and HYPA Housing (Helping Young People Achievement) in South Africa.

Parents can file a missing person report with the police when you leave and not inform them of your whereabouts. “And maybe when my eldest is 13, I could consider leaving her younger brother and sister [who would be 10 and seven] with her too,” she says. Some states and territories make their laws a little more specific. In the Northern Territory, parents may be held criminally liable for treating children under the age of 16 in a reckless or negligent manner. Queensland is even stricter because its penal code punishes parents who leave their children under the age of 12 alone for an inappropriate period of time. Under no circumstances should babies or toddlers be left alone at home, no matter how small. It`s important to be clear about what children can and can`t do while you`re away. These rules may differ for those who care for your children from the rules that apply when you are at home and responsible. Moving outside the home is an important decision and it is important that you make clear plans before moving.

This involves making sure you have a safe place to live where you have enough money and thinking about how moving will affect other aspects of your life, such as your education. If a parent insists on abandoning obligations and illegally abandoning their child to the outside world, the law punishes their reckless behavior with imprisonment, fines, and even loss of parental authority over the children. But while sanctions may vary from state or territory to state/territory, Australian laws agree that parents have an obligation to children under the age of 18.