Definition of a minor and a responsible adult

Definition of a 'minor' - Section 17 of the Law Reform Act 1995 (PDF, 347KB) states that the age of majority is 18 years. Therefore, any person under the age of 18 years old in Queensland is considered a minor.

Definition of a 'responsible adult' - A 'responsible adult' is:

• a parent
• a step-parent or guardian
• an adult who has 'parental rights, duties and responsibilities' in relation to the minor.

A responsible adult is the person who makes adult decisions on behalf of the minor. For example:

• an 18-year-old adult with a 17-year-old spouse, partner or sibling, would not be making parental decisions on the minor's behalf
• a 20-year-old adult with a 10-year-old brother or sister may be a responsible adult.

'Follow the Law' video

https://youtu.be/0yx_nvzLPWY