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The Director Liquor Licensing (DLL) has reviewed the former suite of 54 liquor licensing policies to reduce duplicated or outdated requirements.
A new, consolidated suite of 14 policies has been introduced that make it easier to do business in Western Australia, helping to promote a vibrant local hospitality and tourism industry.
The core requirements of most policies have remained the same, in line with the Liquor Control Act 1988.
The policies are in effect from 29 August 2024.
Key changes:
Yes. The updated policies simplify the process of applying for a liquor licence while maintaining the integrity of DLL processes and industry regulation.
No. If you have already submitted your application, you do not need to cancel it and begin again. Where appropriate, and depending on where your application is in the assessment process, our team will assess your application in line with the new policies.
No. The DLGSC neither advocates nor discourages the use of consultants. Where an applicant or business entity decides to engage a consultant, they meet the costs associated with that engagement.
Yes. We have streamlined the policies and simplified the process to make it easier for you to understand and apply for a licence, which should save you time, effort and money. It also means our licensing team is less likely to need to contact you for extra information during the assessment stage.
No. New documents will only be issued if the licensee lodges an application which requires the re-issue of a licence.
Applications to add, vary or cancel licence conditions have not changed. The form is available on the DLGSC website.
No. The harm minimisation plan and the responsible promotion of alcohol policies are based on the harm minimisation principles in the Liquor Control Act 1988.
The policies set out the principles of harm minimisation that licensees must follow to satisfy the DLL requirements.
No. The plan must be provided, either in digital or hard copy form, if a DLGSC inspector or a WA Police officer asks to see it when they are at the licensed premises.
Although bans on specific promotions have been removed, licensees are responsible for making sure their drink promotions align with the principles set out in the DLL policies.
The policy was updated to align to the Liquor Control Act 1988 which states that juveniles can be employed in a licensed premises, but they must not sell or supply alcohol.
It is still illegal for juveniles to:
It would be an offence under the Liquor Control Act 1988, and a licensee or a manager who allows that to occur will be subject to a $10,000 fine.
The alignment of the policy with the Act makes it clear that the licensee or manager is responsible for considering whether a juvenile is suitable for a role in a licensed area, and for providing appropriate supervision of any juveniles working on the premises.
There are 3 main changes to this policy:
The DLL does not decide working age requirements. These are covered by relevant laws that apply in WA including the Children and Community Services Act 2004 and the School Education Act 1999.
You must include a Public Interest Assessment (PIA) if your application is for any of the following licence types:
Low-risk licence applications, such as for restaurants or small bars, do not usually require the lodgement of a PIA.
The DLL can request the submission of a PIA or other additional documents as part of considering any application.
We’ve removed the 10-year expiry date for ongoing ETPs except for permits issued to extend trading hours.
Amendments to legislation that will remove the 10-year limit for ongoing extended hours ETPs are planned to be introduced into parliament by the government.
No. You still need to apply for an ETP if you would like to extend your trading hours outside of what your current licence allows.
If you have a permit other than extended trading hours, the permit no longer has a 10-year expiry date and existing permits will be re-issued showing this change.
Permits with ongoing extended hours will still have a 10-year limit until amendments are passed through parliament.
Licensees can now apply for an ETP for an event by WA performers and bands, as well as artists from interstate or overseas, under the extended trading permits policy.
A licensee may be allowed 24 instances of extended hours for one-off events in a calendar year.
Yes. The ETP policy has been amended to remove the restriction on extended hours for a Sunday preceding a gazetted public holiday Monday.
Yes, the ETP policy now refers to this type of application as one-off functions — restaurants.
The DLL is reviewing which standard conditions may be removed from each type of licence and how this will be managed in the future. We will provide updates on this in due course.
Licensees can continue to lodge an application to vary the conditions of their licence or permit.
The core requirements of most policies have not changed and compliance standards on licensees have not been increased.
No. The approved managers and mandatory training requirements have not changed.
Yes. The DLL is currently consulting with other regulatory agencies involved with the standards of licensed premises.
For now, this policy continues in its current form. We will provide updates on this in due course.
No. We have arrangements in place that allow for a period of transition to the new policies. If your application met the previous requirements, and all other licensing requirements were met, then it will likely be approved.
If there has been a delay in your application, it would not be due to any changes in the policies. We have arrangements in place to allow for a period of transition from the old to the new policies. If your application met the old requirements, and all other licensing requirements were met, then it would be approved.
No. Any licence subject to a standard entertainment condition still requires everyone on the licensed premises to meet certain standards of dress and behaviour. The policy has been clarified to assist licensees and managers to understand the limited circumstances in which adult entertainment can be offered at a licensed premises.