Liquor
Topics
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 >
Liquor licence freeze for parts of City of Sydney until 24 June 2010
The Liquor Amendment (Temporary Licence Freeze) Amendment Act 2009, which amends the Liquor Act 2007, commenced on 1 October 2009.
The amendments impose restrictions on the grant of certain types of liquor licences and authorisations for premises located in designated freeze precincts within the City of Sydney local government area. Read more >
Alcohol restrictions for violent venues
In July this year, the Premier announced a graduated system of restrictions on violent licensed venues. This system will generally be based on the number of assaults on their premises.
The system replaces the current system applied to the ‘top 48’ violent venues in the State and re-categorisation will be possible twice a year based in part on a review of annual assault data.
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 >
Modern liquor laws
On 1 July 2008, new liquor laws came into effect in NSW - the Liquor Act 2007 and the Liquor Regulation 2008. These laws recognise the importance of minimising alcohol-related harm, and the social and cultural role played by responsible alcohol use.
The objects of the 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; and
- contribute to the responsible development of related industries such as the live music, entertainment, tourism and hospitality industries.
Each person who exercises functions under the Liquor Act – including a licensee – must have due regard to:
- the need to minimise harm associated with misuse and abuse of liquor (including harm arising from violence and other anti-social behaviour)
- the need to encourage responsible attitudes and practices towards the promotion, sale, supply, service and consumption of liquor, and
- the need to ensure that the sale, supply and consumption of liquor 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
Hot topics
- Handling glassing incidents in your venue
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- Changing the licence name or transferring a liquor licence?
- See more hot topics
Information updates
We frequently publish new resources to help you better understand the liquor laws.
For updates, visit latest news.
To keep up to date, join our free liquor eNews service and receive news directly to your email in-box.
Other resources are also available at www.communities.nsw.gov.au 