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Easter trading hours 2013

Venue	Thursday 28 March	Good Friday 29 March	Easter Saturday 30 March	Easter Sunday 31 March	Easter Monday 1 April
Registered clubs	Normal trading	Normal on-premises trading No takeaway sales	Normal trading	Normal trading	Normal trading
Hotels	Normal trading (see Note 2 below)	Noon to 10pm No takeaway sales	Normal trading (see Note 6 below)	Normal trading	Normal trading
Packaged liquor licence	Normal trading	No retail trading permitted	Normal trading	Normal trading under the Liquor Act; Trading restrictions may apply under the Retail Trading Act (see Note 7 below)	Normal trading under the Liquor Act; Trading restrictions may apply under the Retail Trading Act (see Note 7 below)
On-premises	Normal trading	Noon to 10pm (in a dining area only with or ancilliary to a meal) (see Notes 3 and 5 below) Normal trading for caterers, airports and vessels, and accommodation premises for sale to residents and their guests.	Normal trading (see Note 6 below)	Normal trading	Normal trading

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For more information please contact our Customer Service Team on 9995 0894.

Notes

1. 6-hour closure still applies. Liquor licences granted from 30 October 2008, along with licences that have an extended trading authorisation granted from that date and licences that are removed to another location from that date, are subject to a daily 6-hour closure for retail sales. This 6-hour closure continues to apply during the Easter period.
2. Extended trading on Good Friday morning. If you already have an approved extended trading authorisation that allows on-premises sales past midnight until any time up to 5am, you may utilise that authorisation on Good Friday morning.
3. Trading outside these hours can only be approved under an extended trading authorisation. If approved, sales between 5am and midnight must be in a dining area only with or ancillary to a meal. Trading outside noon to 10pm is not permitted for a public entertainment venue (other than a cinema or theatre).
4. Vessel trading hours. Normal trading for vessels is one hour before the vessel starts any voyage or passage and ending 30 minutes after the voyage or passage is completed (or during other times approved by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority).
5. On-premises licence promoting local products. An approved take away sales authorisation cannot be utilised on Good Friday.
6. Trading between midnight on Good Friday and 5am on Easter Saturday is not permitted for hotels and public entertainment venues (other than a cinema or theatre).
7. Packaged liquor licence trading on Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday trading may not be permitted under the Retail Trading Act 2008. Refer to the Office of Industrial Relations website for more information.

Please note: any information contained above does not override your Council Development Application conditions. If you have any question regarding this please check with your local council office.

Download Easter trading hours 2013 as a PDF (150 kb).

Changes to liquor licence freeze in City of Sydney precincts

A liquor licence freeze has been in place in the Kings Cross, Oxford St/Darlinghurst, and CBD South precincts of the City of Sydney local government area since 25 June 2009. The freeze was extended in June 2012 to allow time for research into the cumulative impact of licensed premises in NSW to be completed.

In November 2012, the Government's Liquor Amendment (Kings Cross Plan of Management) Act 2012 was passed. This Act includes a range of measures that will address alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour in the Kings Cross precinct, including a geographical extension of the Kings Cross precinct to include additional licensed premises, and an extension of the Kings Cross precinct freeze for three years until 24 December 2015.

On 17 December 2012, the NSW Government decided to extend the liquor licence freeze in the Oxford St/Darlinghurst precinct for twelve months to 24 December 2013. Given the recent development of an Environment and Venue Assessment Tool (EVAT), along with other significant regulatory initiatives such as the 'Three Strikes' and 'declared premises' schemes and ongoing compliance audits, the CBD South precinct freeze will be allowed to expire on 24 December 2012.

The EVAT, developed as part of the research into the cumulative impact of licensed premises in NSW, recognises the broad range of net impacts of liquor licence density, accounts for a wide range of risk factors, and supports risk mitigation. The EVAT will be trialled for new liquor licence applications in the City of Sydney local government area from early 2013. A further decision regarding the EVAT's use will be made following an evaluation of the twelve month trial and release of the research findings.

Download an EVAT fact sheet.

Cumulative impact of licensed premises research and trial of the Environment and Venue Assessment Tool

The Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing engaged the Allen Consulting Group to undertake research into the cumulative impact of licensed premises in NSW. The research comprised two phases. Phase 1 investigated the factors that contribute to the cumulative impact of licensed premises. It also provided the evidentiary base for Phase 2 of the research, the development of a tool to guide liquor licensing and compliance decisions. NSW Police, Government agencies and local councils, industry groups, business organisations, Liquor Accords, and community groups were consulted during this process. The research identified the economic and social impacts of licence density, and contributing external and market risk and mitigation factors. Density alone is not the sole cause of negative social impacts. The critical point to arise from this phase of the research is the disjuncture between private economic benefits associated with density which are important to those in the liquor industry, and the mostly public economic and social costs of density that are borne by residents, government services and the community in general.

The Environment and Venue Assessment Tool (EVAT), developed under Phase 2 of the research, recognises the broad range of net impacts, accounts for a wide range of risk factors, and supports risk mitigation. The EVAT takes into account both external factors that are beyond the control of either the proponent or the market (e.g. infrastructure and socio-demographic features), and market factors which are related to the liquor sector but are not necessarily the consequence of an individual operator (e.g. a large concentration of premises with extended trading hours). The EVAT is based on two individual assessments: location risk (which accounts for both external and market factors) and venue risk. The tool provides a consistent and transparent basis on which to make licensing decisions.

The EVAT will be trialled for new liquor licence applications in the City of Sydney and City of Newcastle local government areas from early 2013. A further decision regarding the EVAT's use will be made following an evaluation of the twelve month trial and release of the research findings.

Download an EVAT fact sheet [PDF].

Download a flow chart detailing the liquor licence application process [PDF].

Alcohol restrictions for violent venues

The latest list of licensed venues (Round 8) subject to special conditions because of alcohol-related assault and other violent incidents has been released. These premises are categorised as Level 1 or 2 depending on the number of alcohol-related incidents attributed to them between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2012. Special conditions are imposed on Level 1 and 2 venues from 1 December 2012. More information and a full list of violent venues>

RSA/RCG certificates issued between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2006 expire on 30 June 2013

Do you or any of your staff have a paper RSA or RCG certificate issued between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2006? These certificates will no longer be valid after 30 June 2013. Holders of these certificates need to complete a new course from an approved provider and then apply for a photo competency card from a participating Australia Post outlet.

Find out the expiry dates for paper certificates as well as details of approved RSA and RCG training providers and how to apply for a photo competency card from Australia Post once you have completed a new RSA or RCG course www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/photocard_certificate.asp

Holders of expired paper certificates risk being fined by NSW Police or inspectors from the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing.

Next stage of clubs, liquor and gaming machine reforms commenced 30 March 2012

Reforms introduced by the Clubs, Liquor and Gaming Machines Legislation Amendment Act 2011 commenced on 30 March 2012, along with supporting regulations. The liquor reforms include: cessation of liquor sales by hotels while still remaining open to the public, and new offences for RSA and RCG training more>

Applying to be an approved manager? We've got great news for you.

You can apply directly online to become an approved manager of a licensed venue via the NSW Government Licensing website.

You no longer need to download, complete, save and send us a PDF of the Application for an Approved Manager Form.

Applying online is easy and will save you time.

What is an Approved Manager and when is one required? Find out more.

Authority name change from 1 March 2012

On 1 March 2012 the name of the Casino Liquor & Gaming Control Authority was changed to the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority. Forms and resources which refer to the Casino, Liquor & Gaming Control Authority remain valid and can continue to be used while updates are made reflecting the Authority's new name.

Liquor licence biennial return 2010-2011

The NSW liquor laws require a licensee to lodge a return containing key information about their liquor licence every second year. The current return is due by 31 March 2012 and is for the 2-year period from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2011.
More>

Clubs, liquor and gaming machines legislation passed by Parliament

The package of amendments contains liquor law reforms including changes to strengthen controls applying to unlicensed gift sellers, allowing hoteliers to cease liquor sales during approved trading hours, and allowing directions to be given to a licensed caterer More>

New brochure promoting membership to local liquor accords

OLGR has produced a new brochure to help NSW liquor accords market to prospective new member businesses. The printed brochure is available to accords free of charge and is designed to promote the benefits of membership to a range of licensed businesses eg. restaurants, small bars, bottle shops, sporting clubs–not just hotels and clubs. More>

“Three strikes and you’re out” legislation passed by Parliament

The Liquor Amendment (3 Strikes) Bill (No 2) 2011 was passed by the NSW Parliament on 9 November 2011. The Bill implements the final shape of the Government’s “Three Strikes and You’re Out” policy for licensed venues. More>

Do you know what your liquor licence conditions?

We’ve made it a whole lot easier for you to find out.
Visit the Government Licensing Service (GLS) website, type in your licence number or licensee name and your premise’s licence conditions will be displayed.

Being familiar with each your liquor licence conditions is a vital step in ensuring your business is complying with NSW liquor laws.

It is important to note that conditions imposed on premises by legislation, including special conditions for violent premises (declared premises), are not recorded on this website. More information on these conditions.

Liquor licence return for calendar year 2009
and later years

Liquor licensees are now only required to lodge a period a periodic return every two years. Read more >

Non-trading venues

A reminder to all licensees that if a licensed premises, other than a limited licence, stops trading for more than 6 weeks, the licensee must notify the Casino Liquor and Gaming Control Authority. More >

Appointing managers under corporate licence

A reminder to all clubs and hotels holding a corporate licence that under liquor laws, when appointing an approved manager, an 'appointment of manager notice' must by lodged with the Casino Liquor and Gaming Control Authority to keep them informed. By law this must be lodged within 28 days.

In the case of a registered club that has two or more premises, an approved manager must be appointed at each of those premises where the club's secretary is not present, within two months. Some exceptions apply. More >

Important information for licensed caterers

New conditions apply to licensed caterers which prevent alcohol being sold or supplied on premises which have been refused a liquor licence or extended trading hours in the previous two years. These conditions commenced on 21 April 2011. For more information, click here.

New law supports venue dress codes

In response to concerns from industry, the NSW Government has made changes to the Liquor Act 2007. The changes mean that a licensee has a common law right to refuse entry to their venue, or evict people from the venue, which is now recognised by section 77(13) of the Liquor Act. Read On >>

Display of tobacco and smoking products

From 1 July 2010, the display of tobacco and smoking products by all retailers in NSW, including liquor licensed premises is banned.

Visit the NSW Health website for resources and info.

Apply online for ‘one-off’ functions

If applying for a limited licence single function, apply online at www.licence.nsw.gov.au. By applying online, you will receive a better, faster service and a fee discount. See our help guide for more details.

Online Government Licensing Service - Help Guide

Changes to the liquor laws benefit licensees and the community

On 28 October 2009, changes were made to the Liquor Act 2007 to provide benefits to the liquor industry, while also assisting with enforcement of the law and community concerns about neighbourhood disturbance. Read more >

New licence forms are easier to use

Following feedback from industry associations, applicants and their representatives, we have developed 'fillable'; PDF forms for some of our most common liquor forms. Read more >

Safer Nights Out

A new resource to support safe and enjoyable drinking environments in NSW

'Safer Nights Out – Safety practices and strategies to reduce alcohol related violence' provides licensees, community and regulatory authorities with many strategies to achieve better safety outcomes in licensed premises and surrounding precincts.
Read more >

Practical and real liquor laws

The current liquor laws were introduced on 1 July 2008 - the Liquor Act 2007 and the Liquor Regulation 2008 signalled a comprehensive reform, rewriting laws that had been in place for 25 years.

The laws allow for a variety of hospitality, dining and entertainment choices. The three key objectives of the current laws are to:

regulate and control the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in a way that is consistent with the expectations, needs and aspirations of the community
facilitate the balanced development, in the public interest, of the liquor industry through a flexible and practical system of regulation with minimal formality and technicality
contribute to the responsible development of related industries such as the live music, entertainment, tourism and hospitality industries.

Community expectations are a major driver behind the laws. So people working in the industry, such as licensees, need to:

minimise harm associated with misuse and abuse of alcohol (including harm arising from violence and other anti-social behaviour)
encourage responsible attitudes and practices towards the promotion, sale, supply, service and consumption of alcohol
ensure that the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol contributes to, and does not detract from, the amenity of community life.

Did you know?

You can check the status of a licence application or amendment online using the applications noticeboard

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