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Christmas and New Year trading hours for licensees - 2013/2014

Each licence type has different trading conditions for the days on and surrounding the Christmas and New Years public holidays. This fact sheet provides a reference for the 2013/2014 holiday period.

More information on trading responsibly during the holiday season is available here.

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Liquor Act review

The report on the five year statutory review of the Liquor Act 2007 and the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007 has been released.
A copy of the report and more information about the review is available here.

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Alcohol restrictions for violent venues

Since October 2008, the Government has implemented a scheme to regulate licensed premises with high levels of assault and other violent incidents. The scheme is implemented based on violent incident data compiled twice yearly by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Venues with violent incidents attributed to them are categorised into three levels depending on the number of incidents. Special conditions and restrictions are applied to the venues depending on the level into which they are categorised. The latest information on the scheme and a full list of violent venues is available here.

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Liquor licence freeze for parts of Sydney

A liquor licence freeze was introduced for parts of the City of Sydney local government area in June 2009.

The Kings Cross precinct and Oxford Street/Darlinghurst precinct are both currently subject to the liquor licence freeze.

The freeze applying to the former CBD South (George Street) precinct expired in December 2012. 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 freeze was not renewed.

Effect of the freeze

Under the liquor laws, the freeze prohibits the grant of new liquor licences for hotels, general bars, registered clubs, on-premises licences for public entertainment venues (nightclubs), packaged liquor licences (liquor stores), and producer/wholesaler premises.

Extended trading, other than in respect of a small bar licence, along with any authorisations that would otherwise result in an increase in the number of people entering these precincts to drink alcohol, also cannot be granted.

Click here for more information on the specifics of the liquor licence freeze.

See below for more information on the EVAT

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

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 is currently being trialled for new liquor licence applications in the City of Sydney and City of Newcastle local government areas. 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 fact sheet detailing the liquor licence application process [PDF].

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RSA/RCG certificates issued between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2008 expire on 30 June 2014

Do you or any of your staff have a paper RSA or RCG certificate issued between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2008? These certificates will no longer be valid after 30 June 2014. 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.

RSA or RCG paper certificates issued before 2007 are invalid and may not be used to work in the industry.

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Applying to be an approved manager

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.

(Please note - this is not applicable for applications to become a "high risk venue manager" for nominated venues in the Kings Cross precinct. Please visit the Kings Cross precinct special conditions page to find out more)

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Liquor licence biennial return 2012-2013

The NSW liquor laws require a licensee to lodge a return containing key information about their liquor licence every second year.  The next return is due by 31 March 2014 and is for the 2-year period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013. The return for 2012-2013 will be open for lodgement online from 1 March 2014 to 31 March 2014.
Read more >>

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Brochure promoting membership to local liquor accords

OLGR has produced a 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. Read more >>

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“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. Read more >>

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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 venue’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.

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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 Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority. Read more >>

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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 Independent Liquor & Gaming 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. Read more >>

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Important information for licensed caterers

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. Read more >>

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Venue dress codes supported by the Liquor Act

Section 77(13) of the Liquor Act 2007 supports a licensee's common law right to refuse entry to their venue, or evict people from the venue. This allows venues to legally enforce dress codes, so long as they comply with the Anti-Discrimination Act 1997. Read more >>

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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.

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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.

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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 >>

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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:

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

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Liquor applications noticeboard

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

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Hot topics

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Information updates

We frequently publish new resources to help you better understand the liquor laws.

To keep up to date, join our free liquor eNews service and receive news directly to your email in-box.

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