What is Liquor Licensing?
Liquor licensing is the legal framework that regulates the sale, supply, and consumption of alcohol across different states and territories in Australia. Each state has its own licensing authority and specific laws, but the goal is to ensure alcohol is served responsibly, minimise alcohol-related harm, and promote public safety.
Businesses that sell or supply alcohol, such as restaurants, bars, pubs, and venues, must obtain the appropriate liquor licence. Licences are issued based on the type of venue, the hours of operation, and the nature of the alcohol service (for example, full service or BYO). Non-compliance with liquor licensing laws can result in penalties, including fines or loss of the licence.
How to update Liquor Licensing
When filling out the licensing section of your profile, it’s important to accurately represent your establishment's alcohol policy. This ensures customers know what to expect and helps your business comply with regulations.
Log In: Log in to ATDW
Profiles: In the main menu, select 'PROFILES'
Find Profile: Find the relevant profile and click the corresponding ‘UPDATE’ button.
Licensing: In the sub menu, select 'Licensing'.
Update as required: Using the checkboxes, select the option that applies to your business (See: Liquor Licensing Options Explained below)
Submit for Review: Once complete, check your Profile Summary and then submit your profile for review. This step is crucial to ensure that your profile is reviewed, approved, and published, making your updated information visible to potential customers.
Liquor Licensing Options Explained
Food & Drink businesses can select from four different Liquor Licensing options, each are outlined below.
Do not specify: Select this option if you're unsure about your establishment's licensing details or prefer not to specify. However, it’s recommended to choose one of the more specific options to provide clarity for customers.
Not licensed: Choose this if your establishment does not serve alcohol and customers are not allowed to bring their own. This is common for cafes, fast-food outlets, or small eateries that don’t offer alcohol services.
Fully licensed: Select this option if your venue is fully licensed to serve alcohol. This means your establishment can sell alcoholic beverages to customers in accordance with local licensing laws. Fully licensed venues typically include restaurants, bars, and pubs.
BYO Available: BYO (Bring Your Own) indicates that customers are allowed to bring their own alcoholic beverages to enjoy with their meal, while your establishment may charge a corkage fee. This option is common in smaller or more casual dining environments where alcohol service isn’t provided directly.
When to update my Liquor Licensing information
You should update your liquor licensing information whenever there are changes that affect how alcohol is served or supplied at your business. Key times to update include:
Licence changes: If your establishment's licensing status changes, such as moving from BYO to fully licensed, or if you obtain a new type of licence.
Ownership changes: If there’s a change in business ownership or management that affects your licensing status.
Service changes: If you adjust your alcohol service offerings (e.g., adding a bar to a previously unlicensed venue or stopping alcohol service altogether).
Compliance updates: If there are changes to local liquor licensing laws that affect your business.