Law on graffiti
Part of the Crime topic
Understand the law on graffiti in Queensland.
In short
These laws and rules apply to graffiti offences in Queensland.
Use these rules to understand:
- penalties for graffiti offences
- your responsibilities for removing graffiti from private property.
Graffiti is a form of vandalism and there are serious consequences for breaking the law. Penalties include up to 5 years in prison.
You must
To comply with the law in Queensland you must:
- Remove unlawful graffiti from your property as soon as possible if it’s been defaced.
- Comply with request from your local council to remove graffiti within an agreed timeframe.
- Report graffiti offences to police or your local council.
You cannot
To comply with the law in Queensland you cannot:
- Deface property with graffiti including, spraying, drawing, marking, scratching or etching without the owner’s consent.
- Possess an aerosol spray, marker or other instruments used for graffiti. Even if it’s suspected to have been used for graffiti.