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Venue strategies for Schoolies Week

Schoolies Week for NSW students will run from 28 November until 6 December 2009. Last year, licensees stepped up ID checks and strengthened strategies to help manage the risks around schoolies celebrations in their venues.

What you can do?

Licensees can help minimise harm and underage drinking by following these tips:

Check IDs and perhaps give a stamp or wristband once their ID is checked.
Use the Australian iD Checking Guide.
Use blacklight testing devices to detect fake or altered IDs.
Enhance security activities at main entrances to the premises to ensure adequate ID checking.
Employ responsible service of alcohol marshals to monitor bar queues, patron behaviour and consumption levels.
Ensure that liquor promotions are carried out responsibly so as not to be attractive to underage drinkers.
Adopt early intervention measures to prevent patrons from becoming intoxicated.
Offer discount food and soft drinks.
Provide water stations on all bars.

The fine for supplying alcohol to under 18s is up to $11,000. OLGR sells an iD Checking Kit which includes the Australian iD Checking Guide and a blacklight for $15. Kits can be ordered at www.shop.nsw.gov.au .

Legal entry - hotels, clubs and public entertainment venues

Restrictions apply to under 18s entering hotels registered clubs and public entertainment venues for example nightclubs.

Under 18s can enter parts of a hotel where a minors area authorisation applies and be in the company of a responsible adult. Under 18s can also enter a public entertainment venue with a responsible adult, while under 18s can also enter certain parts of a registered club where a non restricted area authorisation applies for example a bistro.

Under 18s can also attend functions in hotels and public entertainment venues without being with a responsible adult when an minors' function authorisation is in place. Conditions include a requirement that the function is alcohol-free and that adequate adult supervision is provided.

Corresponding provisions enable registered clubs to hold prescribed functions for under 18s (and non-members) in a specified part of the club, subject to supervision and other controls.

A function held in a registered club under these provisions must be of a cultural, educational, religious, patriotic, professional, charitable, political, literary, sporting, athletic, industrial or community nature.

For a school formal function to be considered educational it must be official and sanctioned by the school, with school representatives attending in an official capacity.

Unofficial end-of-year school functions conducted by year 12 students wanting to celebrate the end of their school career do not fall within the scope of a functions authority. Clubs may only conduct unsanctioned end-of-year school functions on their premises where legal membership requirements are satisfied.

While alcohol can be served at educational functions, it remains illegal to supply alcohol to minors.

Alcohol supply - all venues

Stringent evidence of age checks must be undertaken at all points of entry and where alcohol is sold. In most cases, a licensed venue can minimise liquor problems from end- of-year school functions by barring under 18s from the event or by making it alcohol free.

Bottle shops and hotels also need to be vigilant in minimising secondary alcohol sales, ensuring alcohol is not purchased on behalf of a minor by an adult (a second party).

Proof of age checks

Now is an ideal time for licensees to review their policies and procedures for managing young people, and checking proof of age.

The three prescribed evidence of age documents are a current:

NSW Photocard
driver's licence or
passport
or their interstate/international equivalent).

Licensees and their staff have discretion to accept other documents, as long as they contain the holder's photo, are valid and prove the person is over 18.

Minors 'faking it' - a common problem for licensees

Our recent web search showed there are a vast number of resources available to people wishing to produce or acquire fake Ids. It highlights the growing trend of minors using fake Ids to gain entry into licensed venues and should ring alarm bells for licensees.

Licensees and staff need to take extra care in checking Ids, paying particular attention to risk cards, such as learner and provisional licenses and foreign student identification cards.

To assist in identifying fake cards, follow these hints:

provide staff with the Australian iD checking guide
examine the ID out of the wallet
examine under bright light conditions
check resemblance and compare photograph
check font size and clarity of info
check for dusty, peeling wrinkled or bubbled film surface
use a magnifying glass or black light to discern the correct positioning of holograms and watermarks and other security features
ask questions of the person
seek secondary identification.

Need more information?

Further information about young people and the NSW liquor laws is available:

PDF Underage drinking laws fact sheet

The NSW Department of Education and Training has also published information that provides practical advice and hints for both parents and school leavers involved in end of school celebrations:
www.schools.nsw.edu.au/learning/yrk12focusareas/druged/parents/index.php

www.schools.nsw.edu.au/leavingschool/next/index.htm