BAC Limits in Australia
Full-licence, learner/provisional and professional limits for every state & territory
BAC limits by country: USA · Canada · Australia · United Kingdom · Ireland · India
- Full licence (all states) 0.05%
- Learner & provisional 0.00%
- Heavy vehicles, taxis & rideshare 0.00% (NSW 0.02%)
Understanding the Table
- Full Licence — The general limit for an unrestricted adult licence. Australia is one of the few countries where every state and territory uses the same number: 0.05%.
- Learner / Provisional — Zero tolerance (0.00%) for learner, P1, P2, probationary and restricted licence holders everywhere. Western Australia applies it to all novice drivers for the full two-year provisional period; the Northern Territory also to anyone under 18 and any driver under 25 who has held a licence for less than three years.
- Professional — The limit while driving a heavy vehicle, bus, dangerous-goods vehicle, taxi or rideshare with passengers. 0.00% in every jurisdiction except New South Wales, which uses a 0.02% “special category” limit. Off duty, the same driver is back at 0.05%.
All 6 States & 2 Territories
| State / Territory | Full Licence | Learner / Provisional | Professional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | 0.05 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| New South Wales | 0.05 | 0.00 | 0.02 |
| Northern Territory | 0.05 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Queensland | 0.05 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| South Australia | 0.05 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Tasmania | 0.05 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Victoria | 0.05 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Western Australia | 0.05 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Data based on statutes as of September 2026 (last legal-data review: 19 September 2026). Heavy-vehicle thresholds for the professional limit vary: 4.5 t (VIC/QLD/TAS), 13.9 t (NSW), 15 t (SA/ACT/NT), 22.5 t GCM (WA).
Key Things to Know
0.05% Is Lower Than It Sounds
A standard Australian drink contains 10 g of alcohol — less than a US standard drink (14 g). Even so, one drink can put a 70 kg person at 0.02–0.03%, leaving very little margin before 0.05%. “One drink per hour” is not a safe rule here.
Random Breath Testing Is Routine
Police in every state run random breath-testing (RBT) stations. You do not need to be driving badly to be tested, and a reading at or above your limit is an offence on the spot.
Your Licence Class Sets Your Limit
The number that applies to you depends on the licence in your wallet, not your age. A 40-year-old on a provisional licence is at 0.00%; a 19-year-old on a full licence is at 0.05%. Interlock-condition holders and unlicensed or disqualified drivers are also at 0.00% in most jurisdictions.
Important Legal Disclaimer
Drink-driving laws change frequently. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and reflects state and territory road-transport legislation as verified on 19 September 2026. Always verify current laws with the local licensing authority or a legal professional. You can be charged with impaired driving at any BAC level if an officer observes signs of impairment.
This page is not legal advice. If you have questions about drink-driving laws where you live, consult a lawyer.
Alcophone Has Your State Built In
Because the full-licence limit is the same nationwide, Alcophone only asks one question when you pick Australia: do you hold a learner or provisional licence? Answer yes and your limit is 0.00%; otherwise 0.05%. Every warning, colour zone and time-to-sober estimate follows from that.
Know Your Limit Before the RBT
Alcophone tracks your BAC against the 0.05% limit — or 0.00% on a learner or provisional licence.
Alcophone provides BAC estimates only. It is not a breathalyzer and cannot measure your actual blood alcohol content. Never drive after drinking, regardless of what any app says. Must be of legal drinking age in your country to use. Legal limit data is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current laws. © 2026 SafeMetrics4U. All rights reserved.