Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court
The Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court is a specialist court dealing with offences relating to serious drug and alcohol use.
All magistrates in Queensland may refer a defendant to the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court if they meet the eligibility criteria. If eligible, the magistrate can place them on a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order to complete a 2-year program in the community while on a suspended sentence. The defendant needs to agree to the order and the court will provide treatment and support programs to help them.
Legal Aid Queensland has been actively involved in the review, planning, implementation and delivery of the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court, and is proud to partner with Queensland Courts, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Health and Queensland Corrective Services to help break the cycle of drug and alcohol misuse and criminal offending.
Being referred to the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court
You may be eligible for referral to the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court if you:
You will not be eligible if you're currently serving a prison sentence, are already on parole or have been charged with sexual assault offences.
Find out more (PDF, 159KB).
Where is the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court?
If you meet the eligibility criteria, a magistrate will need to refer you to the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court in Brisbane.
The court reception area can be found on Level 4, Brisbane Magistrates Court (363 George Street, Brisbane), and court staff are available at reception Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm.
Contacting the court
Phone: 0437 918 691
email: druganadalcoholcourt@justice.qld.gov.au
Staff at the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court reception include:
Legal Aid Queensland lawyers are available at the Legal Aid Brisbane office (44 Herschel Street, Brisbane), which is near the court building. View a map.
There is also opportunity for legal representation from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service.
To have your matter considered in this specialist court, you'll need to complete the Drug and Alcohol Court Form 1 Referral Form available at the Magistrates Court, the Queensland Courts website or from your lawyer.
If you don't have a lawyer, the duty lawyer at the court or a Legal Aid Queensland lawyer can help you complete your court forms.
For general enquiries about the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court (QDAC), call the Queensland Department of Justice and the Attorney General Drug and Alcohol Court line on 07 3738 7111.
More information
Find out more about the Drug and Alcohol Court on the Queensland Courts website.
Get legal advice
We can help people to be referred to the Drug and Alcohol Court, answer inquiries from family or other support staff about the court, and give information to other lawyers. Our lawyers can also help people who have been put on a Drug and Alcohol Treatment order helping them progress through their orders. Depending on your situation, we can provide legal representation for any issues arising from a treatment order.
Contact us to find out how we can help.
The following organisations may be able to give legal advice.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS) may be able to give legal representation and advice on drug and alcohol matters for Indigenous peoples. Call 1800 012 255 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Community legal centres — give legal advice on a range of topics. Contact them to find out if they can help with your matter.
Who else can help?
These organisations may be able to help. They don’t give legal advice.
Hot House has a free and confidential alcohol and drug counselling service for people under 25.
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Services treatment services are provided in local communities by Queensland Health, non-government and private organisations.
Drug Arm has services including counselling, family assistance, family support, information and referral, and an illicit drugs diversion initiative.
Disclaimer: This content is for general purposes only and not legal advice. If you have a legal problem, please contact us or speak to a lawyer. View our full disclaimer.
Last updated 13 April 2023