Happy Asian teen girl wearing pink outfit using mobile phone apps outdoors looking at camera. Positive smiling pretty female model holding smartphone laughing standing at blue wall background.

When Can I?

The age when you can legally do stuff

All young people have questions about when they will be old enough to be able to choose options for themselves. When can I get a job, get my own Medicare card, drive, vote? Find out by clicking each heading below.

Teachers and community workers can book a free When Can I? workshop for their school or community group. Find out more and request a workshop.

16

13 (16 from December 2025)

  • 18, or
  • 16 with a parent or guardian's permission

  • 16, or
  • any age with a parent or guardian’s permission (except for nipple or genital piercing)

18

  • 12 (if you can sign your name as a signature the same way every time), or
  • any age with a parent or guardian’s permission

  • 17, or
  • when you finish Year 10 (if you then go into full-time education, training, paid work or a combination of these)

18

  • 18, or
  • any age with both parents' or guardians' permission

15

Any age

Any age (as long as your job doesn't stop you going to school if you haven't completed Year 10).

Some jobs require the employer to have an employer's authority issued by the Office of the Children's Guardian before they can be employ a child. These include if:

  • the employee is under 15 years and employed in entertainment, still photography and door-to-door selling or;
  • the employee is under 16 years and employed as a model

Any age

14

Most doctors and health workers will accept consent from children aged 14 and over. If the young person is under 16, the doctor may want to get a parent or guardian's permission before they give the young person a prescription or treatment.

10

18

18

10 (to a Juvenile Detention Centre)

  • 16 for a car, or 
  • 16 and 9 months for a motorbike

  • 18, or
  • any age as long as it is for your benefit and you understand what you are signing

16

10

18

  • 16 (with a court's permission and one person is over 18), or
  • 18

  • 18, or
  • any age with both parents' or guardians' and your consent

Any age (as long as you have a safe place to live and enough money to live on)

You have the right to talk to a lawyer at any age if you think you have a legal problem.

What you say to a lawyer is confidential. This means they can't tell your parents, guardian, the police or anyone else unless you give permission.

Why would I talk to a lawyer?

Legal problems can be hard to spot.

A lawyer can help you with problems at home, school, with fines, money, your boss or landlord or if you have to go to Court.

To get free help with your legal problems:

·       Call the Legal Aid NSW Youth Hotline 1800 10 18 10

·       Visit the Youth Law Australia website