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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.

How to lodge your online return

Step one: Check the letter sent to you by the Office of Liquor Gaming & Racing dated 8 February 2012. The letter provides login details which you will need to lodge your licence return online. It also provides information on start-up steps.
Step two: Visit Statutory liquor licence conditions and NSW Online Licence Check to view conditions specific to your licence. You will need this information when lodging your return.
Step three: Make sure you have on hand the details of Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate issue dates for you and your staff, and Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) certificate issues dates if relevant. You will need these details to complete your return. RSA and RCG certificates should be in your RSA/RCG register.
Last step: Visit https://return.communities.nsw.gov.au to lodge your return online. Allow approximately 15 minutes for completion.

Download the Help Guide [PDF, 2MB] for assistance in completing the return.

You are not required to complete this return if your liquor licence is a:

Limited licence: single function
Limited licence: special event
Limited licence: trade fair

You are not required to complete this return if your liquor licence was granted, cancelled or surrendered after 31 December 2011.

What if I don't have online access?

If you do not have online access, and cannot lodge your return online, call us on (02) 9995 0328 during business hours.

Why is the liquor licence return required?

The return is important to industry and Government because it helps to enhance the accuracy of licensing data, including information published online. The return also promotes effective and fair regulation, and enables Government agencies to understand more about the liquor industry and the issues it faces.

This return will collect vital information about liquor licences – including trading status, actual trading hours, awareness of licence conditions, ownership details, venue size and patron capacity, liquor accord participation, industry employment, the number of staff who have completed RSA and RCG training, and the age of that training.

The biennial return 2010-2011 will:

Confirm the accuracy of our database recording the liquor licence name and licensee details
Confirm if the licence is currently trading and, if so, ascertain the actual trading hours
Increase licensee awareness of licence conditions and ascertain the age of each venue's liquor licence document
Confirm our records of business and premises ownership details which will support the Government's 3 strikes scheme
Ascertain details around venue size and patron capacity
Gauge participation rates in local liquor accords and assist targeted initiatives around the liquor accord program
Collect data on the number of people working in the industry
Ascertain the number of staff who have completed RSA and RCG training, and the age of that training, to support a strategy to replace paper-based certificates with the photo competency card

A biennial return process strikes a good balance between the need to collect up-to-date information and the need to minimise redtape faced by industry.

How do I get more help?

If you need assistance with lodging your return, email liquor-return@olgr.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 9995 0328 during business hours.

2009 licence return results

Through the previous return for the 2009 calendar year, licensees provided up to date details about their licence, including a telephone contact number and an email address. This has improved the accuracy of licence information and helped to improve customer contact. The information received also provided important new insights into the overall industry and business environment. More info >

Was your 2009 licence return lodged?

If a liquor licence return was required for the 2009 calendar year for your licence and has not been lodged, you must lodge this return also.
To lodge the 2009 biennial return, visit https://return2009.communities.nsw.gov.au
or email liquor-return@olgr.nsw.gov.au. We will let you know if a return was not lodged for your licence.