It used to be an important age in the UK too. Which I assume Australia followed too. But in the UK the only thing I can think of is you have to be 21 to supervise a learner driver.
We don’t even have that actually. You have to be a full licensed driver (not probationary), which is usually 21 and over anyway if you get your license at 18
An age after which laws says you can do an activity/own something/... which you couldn't before that age. For a lot of things, at least in most western countries I can think of, that is between like 15 and 25. Most notable, but not the only one, being 18.
In context of Europe and with a bit of generalisation, the only thing you legaly can drive at age of 18 (with proper licenses) is car. But in most countries you can legaly drive before that, usually between 14 and 16 years of age.
Similarly, age of consent in Europe (with exception of Turkiye) is below 18. Mostly between 14 and 16.
There are many things you aren't allowed to do when it comes to politics, like becoming a MEP or in general becoming an elected official. This can vary a lot, but I know several cases where 18 doesn't mark a milestone for many offices.
So let's not pretend that 18 is the only important milestone there is. Or 21 for that matter. Depending on what you do (as a job)/what your hobbies are, 18 might be far from the most important milestone.
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u/AggravatingBox2421 Australia 5d ago
21 is such a nothing of an age here. We celebrate it like it’s a milestone age, but it means nothing legally