| 6 |
- |
are required to be enrolled in and attend school (though can start school earlier, at five) |
| 10 |
- |
can be prosecuted for murder or manslaughter |
| 12 |
- |
are able to swear an oath if giving evidence in court (children younger than this must only promise to tell the truth in court) |
| 14 |
- |
can be left alone without an adult looking after them |
|
- |
are able to babysit for younger children but only if capable of reasonable supervision and care |
|
- |
can be prosecuted for any criminal offence |
| 15 |
- |
can sit a driving test and obtain a learner's driver's licence |
| 16 |
- |
can leave home without parents' consent (but until 17, Child, Youth and Family can send the child home if they believe they are at risk) |
|
- |
can get married or enter into a civil union with parents' consent |
|
- |
can (usually) decide which parent to live with if parents are separated, and decide whether to visit the other |
|
- |
can not be made to undergo treatment for mental disorders without their consent, unless under a compulsory treatment order |
|
- |
may be eligible for certain kinds of benefit assistance, e.g. Independent Youth Benefit, Invalids Benefit |
|
- |
can leave school or be expelled from school (excluded if younger than 16) |
|
- |
can start full-time work and earn minimum wage (after a period of probation for 16 and 17 year olds) |
|
- |
can legally consent to sexual intercourse |
| 17 |
- |
are heard in the District Court rather than the Youth Court if charged with a criminal offence |
| 18 |
- |
can be legally independent of their parents' guardianship |
|
- |
can be employed in a position which offers minimum wage |
|
- |
can open a cheque account, borrow money, or apply for a credit card (subject to different banks' rules) |
|
- |
are no longer protected by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child |
|
- |
can vote in local body and general elections, and can stand as a candidate for election |
|
- |
are able to purchase and consume alcohol and cigarettes |
|
- |
can enter into contracts |
| 20 |
- |
are legally classed as an adult, with full capacity to make their own decisions |
