Parties

Having a party at your place can be a lot of fun. However, if you are hosting a party there are a number of things you might want to think about beforehand, including:

  • Preventing gatecrashers from attending
  • Keeping neighbours happy - it's a good idea to let your neighbours know about the party either in person or by dropping them a note.
  • Work out the house rules for the party - this should include whether or not alcohol will be served or allowed at the party.  It's also a good idea to make sure you have someone to serve the alcohol. That way they can keep an eye on how much alcohol is consumed.
  • Have a plan for what to do if a guest gets sick or drunk - If a guest passes out or needs help, it is important that you call 000 for an ambulance immediately.
  • Plan for how to end the party and get people to leave - it's a good idea to stop serving alcohol around an hour before the end of the party to start to wind things up. You may also want to turn down the music a bit, serve some sweet snacks and hot drinks.
  • Make sure party guests get home safely or have them sleep over - this is especially important if you suspect guests have been drinking and plan to drive home.

Registering Your Party

It is a good idea to register your party beforehand with the local police station. If the police are aware of your party they can:

  • Help you remove gatecrashers;
  • Drive by to make sure everything is ok; and
  • Tell you about any complaints about noise over the phone.

You can notify the police by calling them on 13 14 44 or going to your local police station.

Alcohol

It is against the law for children to drink alcohol in any public place, (for example, out on the footpath, near their cars or in a nearby park) unless they are with their parent or guardian. If you intend to allow alcohol at a party make sure that all parents of children attending the party know.

There are no laws that make it an offence to drink alcohol supplied by your parents in a private home. If you are having a party and your guests are under 18, it is best to get permission from their parents before you serve them alcohol. If you are under 18 and someone sells or supplies alcohol to you, they can be fined up to $5500 or $11,000 and/or 12 months prison in aggravated circumstances (such as when alcohol is supplied to young children or when there is a large amount of alcohol supplied). This applies even if you’re under 18!

It is also illegal for someone under 18 to consume or possess alcohol (unless you are doing it in the course of your employment or under a training program like a course through Canberra Institute of Technology):

  • at a licensed premises such as a pub, club; or
  • in public.

Also, if you are under 18, it is illegal to obtain or attempt to obtain alcohol from licensed premises.

Medical Emergencies

If someone has passed out from taking drugs or having too much to drink, or if there is another medical emergency, you should call the ambulance on 000.

In the case of a drug overdose, and you don’t know whether the amount taken was damaging, you can ring Poisons Information on 131 126, anytime and anywhere in Australia for advice. Be aware that it takes a while for the symptoms of an overdose to appear, so even if the person appears to be all right, get help and advice.

At the ambulance’s arrival, you should tell them:

  • How much the person has drunk
  • What substances have they taken

The ambulance officers do not have to call the police unless:

  • the ambulance officers feel threatened by violence;
  • someone dies;
  • the area is classed as dangerous; or
  • you specifically ask that the police be called.

Noise Regulation

The most common complaint from neighbours is the level of noise at parties. In the Australia Capital Territory, it is an offence to create noise which exceeds the limits stated by the Environmental Protection Regulations. Noise which exceeds these limits is classed as being an “environmental harm”. How much noise you can make depends on whether you live in a house or block of units, the day and the time of day.

 

Mon-Sat
7 am-10 pm

Mon-Sat
10 pm-7 am

Sun & public
holidays
8 am-10 pm


Sun &
public
holidays
10 pm-8 am

 Residential areas

45 dB(A) noise limit

35dB(A) noise limit

45dB(A)

noise limit

35dB(A) noise limit

 A unit in a block

40 dB(A) noise limit

30dB(A) noise limit

40dB(A)

noise limit

30dB(A) noise limit

On new year’s eve, music for a party can be up to 60 dB(A).

If your party is judged to be creating such noise, then the police can order a noise abatement direction to stop the noise and you may even be liable for a maximum fine of $1000

Injuries and Damage to Property

Having a party is a lot of responsibility – you owe all your guests a duty of care, so make sure items that can injure your guests are set aside. If your guest is injured, they may be able to sue either you or your parents/guardian for negligence.

It is also good to lock away items that are valuable, like LCD televisions or even mobile phones. Also, if one of your guests damages property (that is, outside your premises), then they will be liable under the law – regardless of how old they are.

If however, it is found that they acted this way because of you or your parent’s breach of duty of care (eg. If you supplied alcohol to them) then you and your parents could be held responsible.

For more information, see Law Topic: Being Sued

Tips

Planning is extremely important in having a successful party. Here are some common problems that arise at parties and remedies that can solve them:

Gatecrashers and unwelcome guests

  • The police may be able to provide you with a poster that signifies that this is a police-registered part
  • If it is possible, get some kind of security to prevent gatecrashers coming in.
  • Organise the venue so that there are only a small number of entrances and exits into the party.
  • Don’t send invitations via avenues where uninvited people can have easy access to, such as Facebook or SMS.
  • Don’t send open invitations and keep a guest list.
  • Be sure to specify the start and finish times on your invitation.
  • Have adult supervision at the venue that is proportionate to the guests you have invited.

Alcohol

  • Decide early on whether your guests will consume alcohol or not. Specify this clearly to your guests
  • Have plenty of food available, as food slows down alcohol absorption in the body. Stay clear of salty foods – which make people thirstier.
  • If you decide to have alcohol, make sure adequate non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic drinks are available.
  • Don’t have BYO and have one area serving all the alcohol. Make sure the area is run by a responsible adult.
  • Plan how your guests will leave your party. P plates cannot drive whilst intoxicated (their BAC is 0). Try to organise public transport, parent pickups, sleepovers or for someone who has not taken alcohol to carpool.

For more tips on party planning visit:

Reach Out! at http://www.reachout.com.au/default.asp?ti=2602

 

This information was last reviewed in March 2009.

 

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