2.3 Liquor licences
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There is a general requirement to hold a liquor licence where liquor is to be sold. Check with your licensee or manager about your venue’s liquor licence and its conditions. |
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Liquor licence applications are determined by the Independent, Liquor and Gaming Authority. The type of licence will depend on the venue and each will carry certain conditions. Liquor licences are issued in the following categories:
| Licence type | Venue type |
|---|---|
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Hotel (including a general bar licence) |
Required for a hotel, bar or tavern |
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Club |
Required for registered clubs selling liquor to members and guests |
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On-premises |
Can be tailored for one or more types of business activities including a restaurant, entertainment venue, motel, function centre and other settings where liquor is consumed on the premises |
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Packaged liquor |
Liquor stores, internet operators selling liquor to the public |
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Producer/wholesaler |
Brewer, distiller, winemaker, wholesaler |
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Limited |
Functions held by non profit organisations, as well as special events and trade fairs |
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Fact sheets can be found at: www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/liquor_fact_sheets.asp |
Standard trading hours
Under the Act a licensee may trade only within the standard trading hours and must comply with any other conditions imposed by the Authority. If a licensee breaches these conditions, severe penalties can be imposed. In addition, disciplinary action can be taken against the licensee. This can result in suspension or cancellation of the licence, or disqualification from holding any liquor licence.
The standard trading period for hotels, registered clubs, on-premises licences (except vessels), wine producers and packaged liquor licences is outlined below.
Monday – Saturday 5am-midnight
Sunday – 10am-10pm
To trade outside these hours the licensee must obtain approval from the Independent, Liquor and Gaming Authority.
Under the liquor laws, a six-hour closure period, which is generally from 4 am to 10 am, applies to all new liquor licences and any applications for extended trading.
Incident registers
It is mandatory for all licensees to keep an incident register when they are authorised to sell or supply liquor after midnight. The register is used to record incidents:
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that involve violence or anti-social behaviour occurring on the licensed premises or
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in the immediate vicinity of the licensed premises and that involve a person who has recently left, or been refused admission to the premises
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that result in a person being asked to leave the licensed premises
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that result in a patron requiring medical assistance if they occur outside the standard trading hours for the premises.
The incident register must also record details of any action taken in response to any of the above incidents.