LIQUOR REGULATION ACT 2018 COMES INTO EFFECT SEPTEMBER 1

The Liquor Regulation 2008 expires on 1 September 2018 and will be replaced by the Liquor Regulation 2018.

The 2018 Regulation is available from the NSW Legislation website.

Like the 2008 Regulation, the 2018 Regulation prescribes matters necessary for the effective operation of the Liquor Act 2007. It also introduces key changes detailed below, which will support responsible industry development while continuing to prioritise harm minimisation.

The key changes coming into effect from 1 September 2018 are:

  • A new Tiered Industry Training Framework (TITF) to build on existing Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training and enhance industry training standards
  • A 12-month trial of a tailored licensing option for micro-breweries and small distilleries in Sydney’s Inner West
  • No-cost conversions to small bar licences for eligible on-premises and hotel (general bar) licences for 12 months
  • New licensing arrangements and fees for large-scale commercial public events with over 2000 people
  • More efficient online licensing so standard restaurants and cafés can begin trading sooner
  • New risk-based notification arrangements for licensed caterers
  • Changes to Kings Cross precinct special licence conditions
  • Changes for on-premises restaurant licence holders with a Primary Service Authorisation (PSA)
  • Changes to venue incident register reporting requirements
  • New RSA training requirements for ‘RSA Marshals’ across NSW
  • Fee changes to support cost recovery and better reflect regulatory effort

Read more about each of the above changes on the Liquor & Gaming NSW website.

Liquor & Gaming NSW went through a public consultation process to finalise the Liquor Regulation 2018. This consultation process included inviting public submissions on the Regulatory Impact Statement and an initial draft of the 2018 Regulation. Liquor & Gaming NSW also met with a range of stakeholders.

Several changes were made to the 2018 Regulation following this consultation process. The most significant difference is that the proposed changes to Community Impact Statement (CIS) and advertising requirements for licence applications will be further refined before related amendments are made to the Regulation.

Read more about the consultation process and view submissions made.