You know that saying, ‘rules are made to be broken’? Well, sometimes they’re just not – in case you want to end up paying a hefty fine, or worse, behind bars. Hiding in the fine print of Australia’s legal books – alongside the more obvious laws, like compulsory voting and sticking to speed limits – are some seriously odd laws you never knew existed. Here are a few of our favourites, from the past and present:
1. It is illegal to fly a kite in a public place if it causes annoyance to any person (Section 4, Summary Offences Act 1966, VIC). The maximum fine is $777.30.
2. It is illegal to clean up seabird or bat droppings without a licence (Section 387, Criminal Code Act 1913, WA). Violations can result in up to one year of imprisonment.
3. It is illegal to have a pet rabbit (Biosecurity Act 2014, QLD). You could be fined up to $71,875.
4. Until 2016, it was illegal to possess more than 50 kilograms of potatoes (Section 22, Marketing of Potatoes Act 1946, WA). The maximum penalty was a $2,000 fine for the first offence or a $5,000 fine for subsequent offences, plus a further penalty up to twice the value of the potatoes.
5. It is illegal to make unreasonable noise with a vacuum cleaner on weekdays before 7am and after 10pm, and on weekends before 9am and after 10pm (Section 48A, Environment Protection Act 1970; Regulation 6, Environment Protection [Residential Noise] Regulations 2008, VIC). The maximum fine is $18,655.20, with an additional fine of up to $4,663.80 per day for continuing noise violations.
6. Until 2020, it was illegal for bus drivers to splash mud on passengers (Regulation 291-3, Road Rules 2014, NSW). The maximum fine was $2,200.
7. It is illegal to falsely claim to be an architect (Section 19, Architects Act 1929, TAS). The fine is up to $15,150 for an individual or $30,300 for a corporate body.
8. It is illegal to correspond or engage in business with pirates (Section 70C, Crimes Act 1958, VIC). The maximum penalty is ten years’ imprisonment.
9. It is illegal to advertise a reward for stolen property on a "no questions asked" basis (Section 138, Criminal Code Act 1913, WA). The maximum penalty is a $2,000 fine.
10. It is illegal to publish false notices about engagements, births, deaths or funerals (Section 21, Summary Offences Act 2005, QLD). The maximum penalty is a $1,219 fine or six months’ imprisonment.
11. It is illegal to sell or hire a refrigerator, ice chest or similar item with a compartment larger than 42.5 litres, unless all of the doors can be easily opened from the inside or it was brought into the state before 1 January 1962 (Section 58B, Summary Offences Act 1953, SA). The maximum fine for this offence is $750.
12. It is illegal to carry certain tools or dress in a way that suggests you're about to commit a burglary (Section 112, Crimes Act 1900, NSW). The maximum penalty is two years’ imprisonment.