AT 15
  • you can get your own Medicare Card 
  • Create a MyGov account 
  • if you have completed year 10 and have a certificate III or IV you can get a full-time or part-time job (you can get a part-time job before this if it is outside school hours)
  • you may need to prepare for a job interview
  • you can get Youth Allowance (if you are regarded as independent)
  • you can buy a Myki card
  • apply for a Tax File Number you, your parent or guardian can sign from 13 years, younger than 13 your parent or guardian must sign
  • you can apply for a copy of your birth certificate, with proof of identity
AT 16
  • you can get Youth Allowance (if certain conditions are met)
  • you can have sex with another person (including same sex) who is also 16 or older, if they agree, without breaking the law. 
  • you can get a learner driver permit
  • you can enrol to vote but will not be able to vote until you turn 18
  • apply for a Tax File Number and you must sign for it yourself
AT 17 AT 18
You are now in control of your life. The law says you are an adult and you don’t need your parents’ permission to do anything.
  • you can be taken to the adult courts if you break the law
  • you can be sent to an adult jail if a court orders you to be locked up for an offence
  • you must vote (you must enrol to vote within 21 days of turning 18)
  • you can buy alcohol and go to a public bar
  • you can buy cigarettes
  • you can be held responsible for any agreement you make (for example, if you borrow money, rent a flat, sign any contract)
  • you can get married without anyone’s permission
  • you can get a tattoo
  • you can make a valid will
  • you can buy a can of spray paint
  • you can change your name without anyone’s permission
  • you can apply for an Australian passport without your parent’s consent
  • you can now engage in consensual sexting if all of the people involved are 18 or over
  • you can apply for a personal loan
At any age
  • you can buy condoms
  • you can seek free legal advice on many things including-fines, police or school issues, relationships,  discrimination
  • you can seek free LGBTIQ+ peer support
  • you can open a bank account providing you can sign your own name
  • you can apply for your own Australian passport (if you are under 18, you will need your parents/guardians’ agreement)
  • you can learn how to budget
  • you can learn to cook on a budget
  • you can learn ways to relieve stress and anxiety
  • you can start a gratitude journal
  • you can learn better study techniques
  • you can take care of your mental health
  • you have to deal with life issues and learn strategies to cope
  • you need to take care of your wellbeing
  • you can set life goals
  • you can write a resume
  • you need to stay safe both online and in person
  • you can learn how to avoid the traps of credit cards
  • you can learn where to get help for gambling problems
  • you can learn how to avoid peer pressure
  • you can seek assistance for unplanned pregnancies 
  • you can become involved in your community, youth group, sporting clubs, political groups. Let us help you find an organisation you share common interests with 
  • you can network with LGBTIQA+ Youth Minus18, Queerspace, or refer organisations to the Rainbow Network for resources of support, education and awareness
  • you can learn about your rights and the way the law affects you
  • you can get legal advice Youth Legal Advice Hotline  1800 527 527
  • you can give evidence at court
  • you can learn some tips for living with other people
  • if there is a court application about you being adopted, and you understand what is being proposed, you must be given information and any other support you need and you can have your say about what is proposed for you and the court must consider your views
  • you can formally complain about government departments and their staff (police, teachers, child safety officers) or any other agencies you have contact with
  • you can see a doctor and get medical advice and ask to have information about you kept confidential (but this may not happen in certain circumstances particularly  if the doctor thinks you are at risk of harm)
  • you can smoke cigarettes BUT you will be breaking the law if you give or sell a cigarette to a person under 18
  • you can apply for a Tax File Number
  • you can learn where to buy and top up Myki
  • you can check if you are covered by your parents cover or consider obtaining Ambulance Cover if you are independent
  • you can seek support from    -Kids HelpLine  1800 551 800 Lifeline 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service 1300 657 467 Frontyard Youth Service (youth homelessness)1800 627 727 online support services Headspace;  Youth Support & Advocacy;  Child & Family Help Service(Dept. Families, Fairness & Housing)
 

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