For most practical purposes the age for leaving home is 17, since under that age a person is liable to be subject to a "protection application" (see below). The Department of Human Services (DHS) may investigate if a parent complains that a child under 17 has left home.

If a young person under 17 has adequate housing and can be properly self-supporting, it is unlikely that DHS will initiate a protection application in the Children's Court (see: "Welfare cases", "Protection applications" in Chapter 6*2 The Children's Court.

Generally, a child under 15 years must have a permit to be employed (whether paid or not) or to engage in street trading. However, a child under 15 but not younger than 11 may be employed to deliver newspapers and pamphlets. There is no minimum age for the employment of a child in a family business or in entertainment.

The Child Employment Act 2003 (Vic) has established a new regime of limitations placed on the employment of children.

Subject to certain conditions, the restrictions on the employment of young people do not affect work experience programs for those at school (s.5.4.3 Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) ("E&TR Act")).

It is an offence for a young person under 18 to purchase, receive, possess or consume liquor, except as referred to below. It is also an offence for a young person under 18 to enter or remain on licensed premises.

There are a number of exceptions to these rules, however. It is not, for instance, an offence for the young person to receive, possess or consume liquor in a private residence provided that the liquor was supplied by the young person's parent, guardian or spouse (if the spouse was 18 or over) or a third party authorised by one of those people.

Nor is it an offence if the young person consumes alcohol on licensed premises in the course of eating a meal with their parents or guardian. Some of the other exceptions concern the residents of licensed premises and the family of a licensee. The full list of exceptions is set out in section 119 of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 (Vic).

The police can demand the name and address of a young person who requests or receives liquor. On licensed premises the demand can be made by the licensee's employees. Failure to give any information or the correct information is an offence (s.126).

The police may seize and take away any liquor in the possession of a person believed to be under 18 (s.128).

A person under 18 can be charged with being drunk and disorderly just as anyone else can.

It is an offence to sell a tobacco product to a person under 18. It is also an offence for a person to purchase a tobacco product for the use of a person under 18 (s.12 Tobacco Act 1987 (Vic)).

A young person can apply for a car learner's permit at the age of 16 years (s.22 Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic)).

At 18 years, a young person may apply for a motorcycle learner's permit (s.22).

At 18, a young person may apply for a licence to drive if:

It is an offence for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase or have possession of a firearm, air-gun or air-rifle (Firearms Act 1996 (Vic)). However, if over the age of 12, a young person can get a permit for the purpose of learning to use a firearm (but not for a pistol) while in the company and control of an adult (Schedule 3 of the Firearms Act).

A young person cannot get either a pistol or a shooter's licence until the age of 18.

There are severe restrictions on carrying knives. No one may possess, carry or use a knife unless it is carried in a safe and secure manner consistent with the lawful excuse for which it is possessed. Lawful excuse includes possession or use in the course of employment, lawful sport, recreation or entertainment, or as part of a legitimate collection, display or exhibition. It will not be a lawful excuse to possess, carry or use a knife for self-defence.

Weapons such as flick knives, daggers, butterfly knives and knuckle dusters are included in the list of prohibited weapons which must not be made, sold, purchased, possessed, carried or used in Victoria (Control of Weapons Act 1990 (Vic) and Control of Weapons Regulations 2000 (Vic)).

Although a young person may register as an elector on reaching the age of 17, it is not permissible to vote until the age of 18. Once 18, registration and voting are compulsory. This includes local government elections.

A person must be 18 to make a will (s.5 Wills Act 1997 (Vic)). For limited exceptions, and information on will-making, see: Chapter 20*1 Wills.

Under the Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic) it is illegal for anyone to tattoo or perform scarification, tongue splitting, branding or beading on anyone under the age of 18 years (s.42).

Intimate body piercings are illegal, if you are under 18 years. If you are under 16 years, it is now illegal for someone to give you a body piercing unless you have a letter of consent from your parent or guardian. This law does not apply if the tattoo or body piercing is done for a medical reason and performed by a doctor (ss.43–44A).

A passport will not normally be issued to an unmarried person under 18 without the written consent of:

Exceptions to this general rule are:

The marriageable age for both males and females is 18 in most cases. There are, however, some qualifications and exceptions to this rule.

Of course, marriage is not permitted where one party is already married or the parties are within a prohibited relationship, e.g. brother and sister (s.23 Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) ("Marriage Act").

It is necessary to give one month's notice of an intended marriage (s.42).

A person aged 16 or 17 may apply to a Judge or a Magistrate for an order granting permission to marry a particular person of marriageable age (s.12).

Where an under-age person seeks an order from a Judge or a Magistrate giving permission for the marriage, the Judge or Magistrate must be satisfied that there are "exceptional and unusual circumstances". Pregnancy is not a guarantee of obtaining an order. The court may look at the degree of maturity, length of the relationship, financial situation and degree of current independence. If an order is made, the marriage must take place within three months of that order.

Young people under the age of 18 must have the consent of their parents or guardians before they can marry (see the Schedule to the Marriage Act for the identity of the person to give consent in the case of ex-nuptial children, adopted children or where the parents are divorced or dead).

Where parents or guardians have refused consent, an application can be made to a Judge or a Magistrate, who will enquire whether they have refused unreasonably, e.g. out of spite, or an insincere consideration of the problems. If they have unreasonably refused, the Judge or Magistrate can make an order allowing the marriage.

Under the Marriage Act, a Judge or Magistrate cannot hear an application for consent to the marriage unless a certificate is produced to show that the young person has received marriage counselling from a marriage counsellor (s.16(2A)).