Shoplifting, stealing, fraud and burglary
Part of the Crime topic
Understand what shoplifting, stealing, burglary and fraud are, and what you must do and cannot do to follow the law in Queensland.
In short
Shoplifting, stealing, burglary and fraud are illegal in Queensland.
- Shoplifting includes taking goods from a store without paying; eating or drinking something in a shop without paying; swapping, removing or altering price tags to get a lower price for an item; and leaving a restaurant or hotel without paying.
- Stealing is taking something that belongs to another person, without their consent.
- Fraud is a type of stealing that involves obtaining goods, property, money or services dishonestly—by not telling the truth.
- Burglary is illegally entering someone’s house with the intent to steal.
There are serious consequences for committing these offences. Penalties include up to 5 years in prison, or up to 14 years in prison if the theft involves aggravation or if a burglary occurs at night.
This page provides a summary of Queensland's shoplifting, stealing, burglary and fraud laws. It's not exhaustive and should not be considered legal advice. Consult with a qualified legal professional for comprehensive information or matter-specific advice.
You must
To comply with the law in Queensland you must:
- Pay for goods, food or services before leaving the store or business.
- Report suspected fraud involving Medicare, Centrelink, or Child Support.
You cannot
To comply with the law in Queensland you cannot:
- Take, eat or drink goods or services without paying for them.
- Swap, remove or alter price tags to pay less for an item.
- Take property belonging to someone else without their consent and keep it with no intention of returning it.
- Obtain goods, money or services dishonestly, such as, by lying or misrepresenting information (fraud).
- Illegally enter someone’s house with the intent to steal (burglary).
- Carry a weapon or pretend to be armed during a burglary.