Can you leave children in a car while you pay for fuel in Australia
<p>There are laws that prohibit leaving children in a car alone that can result in fines and court attendance.</p>

<p>Under these laws can you be fined for leaving children in a car at a service station while paying for petrol</p>

<h2>Yes, maybe</h2>

<p>The legislation varies by state but <a href="http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/num_act/cyafa200596o2005298/s494.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">s494</a> of the Victorian Children, Young Persons and Families Act is typical.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>A person who has the control or charge of a child must not leave the child without making reasonable provision for the child's supervision and care for a time which is unreasonable having regard to all the circumstances of the case.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>If the child is 17 years old then the circumstances are such that it is <em>not</em> unreasonable to leave them, even for a period of days. If the child is 17 days old, even 30 seconds may be unreasonable.</p>

australia