Flying kites is illegal? Weird and funny laws in Australia
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Just as each country has its own distinct culture, so too do each of them have its own laws as well. But some laws are so archaic, strange, or just borderline comical, they’ll leave you anywhere between scratching your head and doubled over with laughter. And so, we compiled a list of odd laws in Australia that you may find hard to believe are still on the books!
Image Credit: Best in Australia
1. Not today, kites.
Picture this – you and your grandchildren are heading to the park on a warm, windy day. It’s the perfect weather for flying kites and you wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity!
But if you’re located in Victoria, then you may want to keep your kites hidden from the authorities as it’s considered an offence to fly a kite ‘to the annoyance of any person in the state (Section 4, Summary Offences Act 1966).
2. Drop those potatoes!
If for any reason, you’re planning to make chips for an entire village in WA then it’s best to be on the lookout for any officers nearby… Because carrying over 50 kilograms of potatoes is against the law (Section 22, Marketing of Potatoes Act 1946).
Image Credit: CarAdvice
That is unless it’s been purchased from a grower or retailer that’s authorised by the ‘Potato Corporation’ – yes, apparently this is a real thing and The Guardian published an article about it a few years ago.
You’ll get fined $2000 for your first offence and it shoots up to $5000 the second time you get caught in the act.
3. Avoid pirates at all costs.
If you’ve ever fantasised about meeting a real-life pirate… Well, you’d better wait until you leave the state if you’re residing in Victoria. Doing business or merely talking with pirates can put you behind the bars in Victoria (Section 70C, Crimes Act 1958).
Image Credit: PotC Wiki - Fandom
The maximum penalty for breaching this law is up to 10 years of imprisonment. Shiver me timbers!
4. Look out for puddles, drivers!
In NSW, drivers have to be extra careful when driving across a puddle (Regulation 291-3, Road Rules 2014). If they splash mud on civilians, they can be fined up to $2200!
Image Credit: LancsLive
NSW pedestrians won’t ever have to show up somewhere covered in muck due to a reckless driver. Maybe this law isn’t too shabby, eh?
5. Leave the bird droppings ALONE.
Have you ever heard of getting a licence just to clean bird or bat droppings? No? Me neither.
In WA, you can get in serious trouble if you attempt to clean seabird or bat faeces without a licence. So, it’s best to grit your teeth through the unsightly mess and leave it alone. Disobeying this law can result in getting jailed for up to a year under Section 387, Criminal Code Act 1913.
We’re sorry to be the bearer of bad news, germophobes…
6. Don’t you dare reach for your vacuum at night.
If you prefer to do your household chores at the end of the day, you may want to reschedule your cleaning session to mornings only. In Victoria, noisy vacuums can land you in hot water.
Image Credit: Learning Centre
Neighbours can report you for making ‘unreasonable’ noise with a vacuum cleaner past 10pm or before 7am on weekdays, and 9am on weekends. The police will drop by to confront and request you to refrain from making noise for the next 72 hours.
A breach of this can result in a fine of upwards of $18,655.20. And if you refuse to comply, you’ll be fined an extra $4,663.80 per day for continuing noise violations. [Section 48A, Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic); Regulation 6, Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 2008].
7. Quit the ‘Ring-and-Run’ fiasco!
Have you ever been victimised by cheeky kids endlessly ringing your doorbell just to get on your nerves? In South Australia, ringing a doorbell unreasonably can cost you $250. The same applies to knocking on someone’s door for no good reason. (Section 50, Summary Offences Act 1953)
Image Credit: mountainbride.com
8. Only peace for the newly-weds
In SA, it’s considered illegal to object to a wedding (or disrupt it). If you violate this, you may be charged either $10,000 or two years imprisonment (Section 7A, Summary Offences Act 1953). The same goes for making havoc at a funeral or a religious service.
So, if you’re not a fan of the couple, then we suggest you take it easy on the drinks and ‘forever hold your peace’ when the time comes.
Is this the first you’ve heard of these laws? Which one piqued your interest the most? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Want to learn more about weird laws around the world? Watch the video below:
Video Credit: #Mind Warehouse
Image Credit: Best in Australia
1. Not today, kites.
Picture this – you and your grandchildren are heading to the park on a warm, windy day. It’s the perfect weather for flying kites and you wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity!
But if you’re located in Victoria, then you may want to keep your kites hidden from the authorities as it’s considered an offence to fly a kite ‘to the annoyance of any person in the state (Section 4, Summary Offences Act 1966).
2. Drop those potatoes!
If for any reason, you’re planning to make chips for an entire village in WA then it’s best to be on the lookout for any officers nearby… Because carrying over 50 kilograms of potatoes is against the law (Section 22, Marketing of Potatoes Act 1946).
Image Credit: CarAdvice
That is unless it’s been purchased from a grower or retailer that’s authorised by the ‘Potato Corporation’ – yes, apparently this is a real thing and The Guardian published an article about it a few years ago.
You’ll get fined $2000 for your first offence and it shoots up to $5000 the second time you get caught in the act.
3. Avoid pirates at all costs.
If you’ve ever fantasised about meeting a real-life pirate… Well, you’d better wait until you leave the state if you’re residing in Victoria. Doing business or merely talking with pirates can put you behind the bars in Victoria (Section 70C, Crimes Act 1958).
Image Credit: PotC Wiki - Fandom
The maximum penalty for breaching this law is up to 10 years of imprisonment. Shiver me timbers!
4. Look out for puddles, drivers!
In NSW, drivers have to be extra careful when driving across a puddle (Regulation 291-3, Road Rules 2014). If they splash mud on civilians, they can be fined up to $2200!
Image Credit: LancsLive
NSW pedestrians won’t ever have to show up somewhere covered in muck due to a reckless driver. Maybe this law isn’t too shabby, eh?
5. Leave the bird droppings ALONE.
Have you ever heard of getting a licence just to clean bird or bat droppings? No? Me neither.
In WA, you can get in serious trouble if you attempt to clean seabird or bat faeces without a licence. So, it’s best to grit your teeth through the unsightly mess and leave it alone. Disobeying this law can result in getting jailed for up to a year under Section 387, Criminal Code Act 1913.
We’re sorry to be the bearer of bad news, germophobes…
6. Don’t you dare reach for your vacuum at night.
If you prefer to do your household chores at the end of the day, you may want to reschedule your cleaning session to mornings only. In Victoria, noisy vacuums can land you in hot water.
Image Credit: Learning Centre
Neighbours can report you for making ‘unreasonable’ noise with a vacuum cleaner past 10pm or before 7am on weekdays, and 9am on weekends. The police will drop by to confront and request you to refrain from making noise for the next 72 hours.
A breach of this can result in a fine of upwards of $18,655.20. And if you refuse to comply, you’ll be fined an extra $4,663.80 per day for continuing noise violations. [Section 48A, Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic); Regulation 6, Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 2008].
7. Quit the ‘Ring-and-Run’ fiasco!
Have you ever been victimised by cheeky kids endlessly ringing your doorbell just to get on your nerves? In South Australia, ringing a doorbell unreasonably can cost you $250. The same applies to knocking on someone’s door for no good reason. (Section 50, Summary Offences Act 1953)
Image Credit: mountainbride.com
8. Only peace for the newly-weds
In SA, it’s considered illegal to object to a wedding (or disrupt it). If you violate this, you may be charged either $10,000 or two years imprisonment (Section 7A, Summary Offences Act 1953). The same goes for making havoc at a funeral or a religious service.
So, if you’re not a fan of the couple, then we suggest you take it easy on the drinks and ‘forever hold your peace’ when the time comes.
Is this the first you’ve heard of these laws? Which one piqued your interest the most? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Want to learn more about weird laws around the world? Watch the video below:
Video Credit: #Mind Warehouse
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