Access Canberra issues liquor licences and permits in the ACT and performs regulatory functions under the Liquor Act 2010 (the Act).
If you’re selling liquor in the ACT, you may need a liquor licence or permit.
A list of issued liquor licences and permit locations in the ACT can be viewed on the interactive liquor licences map.
There are 2 types of liquor permits:
Commercial permits are issued based on:
An event must occur within a discrete, short timeframe and if for more than one day, should be consecutive days.
Your application should include the name of the event to assist Access Canberra to determine whether you’re applying for a single event or multiple events.
For example, you can use a single event permit if you’re selling liquor at the same market every Sunday. This is because the event is regular, predictable and at the same location.
If you’re planning to sell liquor on consecutive weekends, but for 2 different festivals, you’ll need a separate permit for each event.
Example: Private events of 30 people or lessJulie is hosting a private event to celebrate the opening of her new cheese shop.
Guests will be able to buy glasses of wine to match with her delicious cheeses.
Because there will be 30 or less registered customers attending, she doesn’t need a liquor licence or permit.
When you apply, you’ll need to have gathered some documentation first.
When you apply for the permit, you need to identify any ‘close associates’ or ‘influential persons’.
Definitions for each are defined in Division 1.3 of the Act.
Police checks for these individuals aren’t required on application, but the Commissioner for Fair Trading may request them to help them make a decision.
For commercial permits you must complete a Risk Assessment Management Plan (RAMP).
A RAMP details the procedures, practices and arrangements you’ll have in place while selling liquor at the premises, and includes anything prescribed by the Liquor Regulation 2010.
Examples of what a RAMP may contain are:
The process for applying for a permit depends on what type of permit you need.
To apply for a non-commercial liquor permit:
To apply for a commercial liquor permit:
Once submitted, Access Canberra will contact to seek further information if required.
Once approved, your liquor permit will be emailed to the contact point nominated in your application.
Permits are only valid for the duration of the event and the hours approved.
If you hold a commercial permit, you and all liquor service and crowd control employees must hold a valid Responsible service of alcohol (RSA) certification.
An ACT RSA certificate is valid for 3 years. Employees can renew once they’ve completed an ACT approved refresher RSA training program.
RSA training is available through Access Canberra approved providers.
A valid interstate RSA certificate is taken to have expired 3 years after the day the person satisfactorily completed the course. They only need to do an ACT approved refresher course when it expires.
Any incidents on the premises need to be reported within 24 hours by completing the Liquor - Incident Reporting form.
Reasons for incident reporting include:
If any false documents are confiscated from someone, they need to be given a receipt.
The receipt must include:
Personal contact details of the employee or crowd controller are not required and the receipt does not need to be signed. Upload the receipt to the incident form.
Any seized documents must be sent to the Commissioner for Fair Trading within 7 days:
The Commissioner for Fair Trading, Access Canberra, GPO 158, Canberra ACT 2601.
As a permit holder you have a responsibility to only promote liquor consumption in a safe and legal manner.
Your premises needs to be fitted with appropriate signage. You can print and display the following signs:
To renew your Non-commercial permit, use the Renew a liquor permit form and pay the fee.
Commercial permits are not renewable.
Once approved, permits can only be used within the conditions they were approved for.
You need to apply for an amendment to your permit if you are changing, adding or removing influential persons or close associates.
To amend your liquor permit: