Australia is known for its stunning landscapes, laid-back lifestyle, and friendly locals—but it also has its fair share of strange laws that can leave visitors, especially Americans, scratching their heads.
While many of these rules were created for specific historical or safety reasons, some are surprisingly modern and oddly specific.
From outlawing kite flying that annoys others to regulating the number of potatoes you can possess, Australia’s legal quirks reveal a fascinating side of the country’s governance.
Before heading Down Under, it’s worth exploring these 15 unusual laws that might surprise, amuse, or even confuse first-time travelers.
Here are 15 strange laws found in Australia:
1. Don’t Take a Fridge on the Train
In 2017, a man in Queensland was fined $252 for trying to move his fridge on a train. Moving large items by passenger rail is illegal.
Other Australians have similarly failed in attempts to bring items like couches, lawnmowers, and front doors onto trains.
The rule is that if it doesn’t fit in the luggage racks, you are not allowed to board with it, and authorities are strict about this.
2. No Flying Kites in Victoria
Under Section 4 of the Summary Offences Act 1966 in Victoria, flying a kite or playing a game in a public place “to the annoyance of any person” is an offense.
Violators could face a fine of up to $826.10. However, flying a kite is legal as long as you don’t bother anyone.
3. Don’t Sing Obscene Ballads
The Summary Offences Act 1966 in Victoria also prohibits singing obscene songs or ballads in public places. This falls under a broader rule against obscene or threatening language in public.
While what counts as obscene or threatening is somewhat vague, being found guilty could result in a fine of up to $1,169 or two months in prison for a first offense.
4. No Extra-Large Fridges
In South Australia, the Summary Offences Act 1955 includes a law prohibiting the sale of fridges that hold 42.5 liters or more.
Exceptions exist if all doors can be opened from the inside or if the fridge was built and brought into the country before 1962.
5. No Ringing Doorbells for Fun
The Summary Offences Act 1953 in South Australia contains a provision against unlawfully ringing doorbells.
The law states that a person who, without reasonable excuse, disturbs another by “willfully pulling or ringing the doorbell of a house or by knocking at the door of a house is guilty of an offence”. This means even a game like “Ding Dong Ditch” could lead to a $250 fine.
6. Don’t Disrupt Weddings or Funerals
While disrupting a wedding, funeral, or church service is considered rude, it’s typically not a crime, unless you are in South Australia.
An ordinance in the Summary Offences Act 1953 makes disrupting religious services, including weddings and funerals, illegal. Doing so could result in a significant $10,000 fine.
7. Leave The Bird Poo, Please
In Western Australia, according to Section 387 of the Criminal Code Act 1913, cleaning up bird poo or bat guano without a license is a crime.
This offense could lead to jail time for up to a year. The source notes that no one has been penalized for this in at least the last ten years, but caution is advised if planning spring cleaning in Western Australia.
8. Watch for Bus Passengers
If driving in New South Wales after it rains, drivers should be careful to avoid splashing mud on public bus passengers near bus stops.
This is illegal, even if accidental, according to Regulation 291-3, Road Rules 2014. Given how recently this law was enacted, police officers may choose to enforce it.
9. No False Notices
In Queensland, posting a false job advertisement or an inaccurate announcement about a birth or death is a punishable offense under Section 21, Summary Offences Act 2005.
While this might seem reasonable, the penalty can be a fine of over $1,000 and potentially six months in prison.
10. Resist the Pirates
Victoria has a law stating that you must not engage with pirates. According to Section 70C of the Crimes Act 1958, doing business with pirates could lead to up to ten years in prison.
Furthermore, people on Australian ships must resist bringing any “seducing messages” from pirates on board, as doing so is considered an act of piracy itself and could result in twenty years in prison.
11. Be Careful When You Vacuum
Victoria has specific rules about residential noise. The Environment Protection Regulations 2008 make it an offense to make unreasonable sounds with a vacuum cleaner after 10:00 pm or before 7:00 am on weekdays, and before 9:00 am on weekends.
“Unreasonable” means your neighbors can hear the noise regardless of whether their doors and windows are open or closed.
Ignoring the rule can lead to a 72-hour warning from the police if neighbors call. Continuing to vacuum after a warning could result in a fine of up to $18,655.
12. Stop Challenging People to Duels
While it might be tempting to challenge an enemy to a duel, resist the urge in Western Australia.
Simply challenging someone to a duel could result in a fine of up to $6,000 or two years of imprisonment (Section 72, Criminal Code Act 1913 (WA)). The punishment for actually carrying out the duel is presumably higher.
13. You Can Keep Your Electrified Briefcase
Western Australia’s Criminal Code Act of 1913 generally bans citizens from carrying most weapons. However, Section 68A carves out a specific exception for electrified briefcases.
So, carrying a briefcase that emits electric shocks to deter trespassers is allowed throughout Western Australia.
14. No More Than 50 Kilograms of Potatoes
Western Australia takes potato purchases seriously. The Marketing of Potatoes Act 1946 clearly states that one cannot possess more than 50 kilograms (about 110 pounds) of potatoes.
This rule can be bypassed by purchasing from a retailer authorized by the Potato Corporation.
Using an unauthorized source could lead to a police search, a $2,000 fine, and a penalty requiring payment of double the value of the potatoes carried.
15. Stop Stealing Pigeons
Stealing pigeons is a criminal offense in Western Australia, according to the state’s criminal code.
However, this law specifically applies to tamed birds living in a pigeon house, not wild birds. So, taking a pigeon found at the park is apparently not covered by this law.
Alicia Richards