Australia Everyday Law
44 articles
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Adverse Possession in Australia: State by State Comparison
How adverse possession works in every Australian state: the required period, the Torrens land rules, and why claiming government-owned land is barred or heavily restricted.
Adverse Possession in New South Wales: Possessory Title Under Part 6A
How adverse possession works in New South Wales: the 12-year period, the possessory title application under Part 6A of the Real Property Act, excluded land, and the fee.
Adverse Possession in Queensland: The 12-Year Rule and the 30-Year Practice
How adverse possession works in Queensland: the 12-year statutory minimum, why Titles Queensland says applicants should be ready to prove 30 years, and the application process.
Adverse Possession in South Australia: The 15-Year Test and Part 7A
How adverse possession works in South Australia: the 15-year limitation period, why Torrens land needs a Part 7A application, and the caveat process.
Adverse Possession in Tasmania: The Crown Land Exclusions and the Vesting Order
How adverse possession works in Tasmania: the Limitation Act's 12 and 30 year periods, the Crown land exclusions, and the vesting order process.
Adverse Possession in the ACT: Why It Doesn't Apply
The ACT has no adverse possession regime. Limitation Act 1985 s5 and Land Titles Act 1925 s69 bar any claim to registered land, leasehold or freehold.
Adverse Possession in the Northern Territory: Why It Doesn't Apply
Adverse possession does not exist in the Northern Territory. Land Title Act 2000 s198 bars any claim to registered land. What the law says and what applies instead.
Adverse Possession in Victoria: The Section 60 Vesting Order Process
How adverse possession works in Victoria: the 15-year period, the section 60 vesting order process, the six-category exclusion regime, and current fees.
Adverse Possession in Western Australia: Limitation Act, Landgate Process and Fees
How adverse possession works in Western Australia: the Limitation Act 2005's 12-year period, Landgate's possessory-title process, caveats, and fees.
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Dangerous and Restricted Dog Laws in Australia
A federal import ban covers five dog breeds. New South Wales and Victoria add breed-based restricted-dog status; Queensland uses a structurally different prohibited-dog system.
Dog Attack and Dog Bite Civil Liability in Australia by State
Dog bite civil liability differs sharply across Australia. Compare the strict liability, criminal and common law models used in each state and territory.
Drone Laws in Australia: CASA Rules Every Pilot Must Know
Australia regulates drones federally through CASA under Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998: altitude, distance from people, populous areas and registration.
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Everyday Law in Australia: Adverse Possession, Drones, Jury Duty and More
A guide to six areas of everyday Australian law: adverse possession, drone rules, jury duty, legal name change, dangerous dogs and fireworks, compared by state and territory.
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Fireworks Laws in Australia: Where Consumer Fireworks Are Legal
Consumer fireworks are legal in Australia in two places only: the Northern Territory's Territory Day window and Tasmania's annual Cracker Night permit. Elsewhere, pyrotechnicians only.
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How to Change Your Name in NSW: Eligibility, Fees and the 3-Year Residency Rule
How to change your name in NSW: the 3 year residency rule for overseas born applicants, the $203/$233 registration fee, child consent and restricted persons.
How to Change Your Name in Queensland: Eligibility, the $220 Fee and the 2023 Act
Queensland's change of name process under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 2023: eligibility, the $220 fee, child consent age, restricted persons rules and how to apply.
How to Change Your Name in South Australia: Eligibility, Fees and the 12-Month Residency Rule
South Australia's change of name process: the $322 registry fee, 12-month residency rule under section 24, child consent and restricted-person approval requirements.
How to Change Your Name in Tasmania: Eligibility, Fees and No Minimum Residency Requirement
Tasmania's change of name process: the $237.16 fee traced to a Gazette notice, no minimum residency period under section 23, child consent over 12, and reportable offender approval.
How to Change Your Name in the ACT: Eligibility, the $152 Fee and the Rules for Young People
How to legally change your name in the Australian Capital Territory: no minimum residency, the $152 fee for 2026-27, and the separate rules for children and young people under ACT law.
How to Change Your Name in the Northern Territory: Eligibility, Fees and the 3-Time Lifetime Limit
How to legally change your name in the Northern Territory: eligibility, the $148 fee, the 12-month gap and 3-time lifetime cap, and the restricted-persons rules under NT law.
How to Change Your Name in Victoria: Eligibility, the $148.60 Fee and Consent Rules
How to change your name in Victoria: the $148.60 bundled fee, 12 month residency rule and its s25(1A) waiver, child consent at 12 under s27, and the divorce exception.
How to Change Your Name in Western Australia: Eligibility, Fees and the Process
Western Australia's $206 change of name process: eligibility, the 12 month residency rule, child consent age, restricted persons rules and how to apply, with no online option.
How to Legally Change Your Name in Australia: State by State
Legal name change in Australia is handled by each state and territory births, deaths and marriages registry. Confirmed FY2026-27 fees and what to check before relying on any figure.
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Jury Duty in Australia: Employer Pay and Protections
Jury duty in Australia: the federal 10-day make-up pay rule, Victoria's full make-up duty, NSW dismissal protections, and juror payment rates in Victoria and NSW.
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Miranda Rights in Australia: What the Law Actually Says
Australia has no Miranda warning. Here is the actual right to silence, the NSW special caution, and how the right to a lawyer differs by state.
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Queensland Sexting Laws: Age Threshold, Penalties and No Peer Defence
Queensland's child exploitation material offences apply under 16, cover a teenager's own image, and carry no statutory peer or self-image defence. Sections, penalties and what is unconfirmed.
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Self-Defence Laws in Australia: The Test in Every State and Territory
Self-defence law compared across all 8 Australian states and territories: each state's test, excessive force, retreat, defending your home, and family violence rules.
Self-Defence Laws in New South Wales: The Test Under Section 418
New South Wales self-defence law explained: the two-limb test under section 418 of the Crimes Act 1900, the section 420 property limit, section 421 excessive force, and the prosecution's onus.
Self-Defence Laws in Queensland: The Section 271 Test Explained
Queensland splits self-defence into two tests under section 271, plus separate rules for provoked assault, dwelling defence and family violence. Here is what each requires.
Self-Defence Laws in South Australia: Section 15 and the Home Invasion Exception
South Australia's self-defence test under section 15 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935, plus the property, home invasion, family violence and intoxication provisions in sections 15A to 15C.
Self-Defence Laws in Tasmania: The Test Under Section 46
Tasmania's self-defence test under section 46 of the Criminal Code Act 1924, the uncapped dwelling defence in section 40, and why excessive self-defence could not be confirmed in current law.
Self-Defence Laws in the ACT: Section 42 Explained
How self-defence works under section 42 of the Criminal Code 2002 (ACT): the belief-plus-reasonable-response test, the property exclusion, and what is not covered.
Self-Defence Laws in the Northern Territory: The Two-Track Test Explained
The Northern Territory runs two self-defence tests: section 29 for most offences, section 43BD for murder, manslaughter, sexual and property offences. Here is how each works.
Self-Defence Laws in Victoria: The Test Under Section 322K
Victoria's self-defence test is set out in sections 322G to 322T of the Crimes Act 1958. Victoria abolished excessive self-defence in 2014, so self-defence to a murder charge is all or nothing.
Self-Defence Laws in Western Australia: The Section 248 Test Explained
Western Australia's section 248 self-defence test has applied since 2008, alongside a separate home invasion provision, section 244, that can authorise lethal force. Here is what each requires.
Sexting Laws in Australia: The Age Thresholds, Offences and Defences State by State
Sexting laws vary by state in Australia: age thresholds run 16 to 18, and only NSW, Victoria and Tasmania give a young person any statutory defence. The Commonwealth and state-by-state position.
Sexting Laws in New South Wales: The Section 91HA and 91HB Defences
New South Wales sexting law explained: the under-18 child abuse material threshold, section 91H penalties, the section 91HA self-image defence, the section 91HB peer exception, and the forwarding gap.
Sexting Laws in South Australia: The Under-17 Threshold and No Peer Defence
South Australia's child exploitation material offences apply below 17, the state's outlier threshold, with no statutory defence for a teenager sexting a peer and court-discretion registration.
Sexting Laws in Tasmania: The Narrow Section 130E(2) Peer Defence Explained
Tasmania's child exploitation material offences apply below 18; the section 130E(2) peer defence covers only production, possession and access, never distribution, and needs a close-in-age qualifying act.
Sexting Laws in the ACT: Age, Offences and the Sex Offender Register
The ACT's child exploitation material offences apply under 18, carry up to 19 years imprisonment, and have no statutory peer defence. Registration has narrow carve-outs for young people.
Sexting Laws in the Northern Territory: Age, Offences and the Sex Offender Register
The Northern Territory's child abuse material offences apply under 18, carry up to 14 years imprisonment, and have no statutory peer or self-image defence. Registration is not automatic.
Sexting Laws in Victoria: The Six Exceptions and Defences Under Sections 51M to 51R
Victoria sexting law explained: the under-18 child abuse material threshold, section 51B-51H penalties, and the six section 51M-51R young-person exceptions, not a flat 2-year rule.
Statute of Limitations in Australia: Time Limits by State
Australia's civil time limits to sue, state by state: contract, personal injury, defamation, and child abuse claims, verified against each Limitation Act.
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Western Australia Sexting Laws: Age Threshold, Penalties and Registration
WA's child exploitation material offences apply under 16 with no peer defence, but registration for a young offender is not automatic. Sections, penalties and what a court can order.