Liquor licensing exemption for registered residential land lease (RLL) communities

When the exemption applies

An RLL community can use the exemption if:

• the community is registered as an RLL community
• community rules require all residents to be at least 50 or 55 years old
• the gathering is organised and run by the residents, not by the operator of the registered residential community
• a residents' committee member or their nominee must be present to:
  • supervise the sale and supply of alcohol, and
  • ensure the gathering runs properly
• all alcohol is purchased from a licensed retail liquor store
• alcohol is served:
  • at a temporary bar, or
  • in a shared common area of the community
• the residents' committee must keep records of each gathering for at least 2 years from the date of the gathering.

If all these conditions are met, the community does not need a liquor licence for these gatherings.

When the exemption does not apply

The exemption does not apply if:

• the community is not restricted to residents aged 50 or over, or 55 or over
• any of the conditions listed above are not met.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which registered RLL communities are eligible for the exemption?

A registered RLL community is eligible only if all of the following apply:

• the community rules require all residents to be at least 50 or 55 years old
• alcohol is sold or supplied only to:
  • residents, or 
  • adult guests of residents
• all alcohol is bought from a licensed retail liquor store
• alcohol is served at:
  • a temporary bar,
  • in shared common areas
• a residents committee member, or someone appointed by the committee, is present 
• the residents’ committee creates and keeps a record of each gathering for at least 2 years from the date of the gathering
• the gathering is organised by and run by residents, not the community operator.

Does the over‑50s or over-55s rule mean only people aged 50 or 55 and over can buy alcohol?

No. The over-50s or over-55s requirement applies to the age restriction for residents who can live at the RLL community, not in relation to who can be sold or served alcohol.

Under clause 117(1)(a) of the Liquor Regulation 2018, the exemption applies if the community rules for the registered RLL community include an age restriction requiring residents to be at least 50 or 55 years old.

Alcohol can be sold or supplied to:

• residents, and
• adult guests of residents.

Standard laws still apply. Alcohol must not be sold or supplied to anyone under 18.

Are there different rules for over-50s and over-55s RLL communities?

No, the requirements to be eligible for the exemption are the same for over-50s and over-55s RLL communities.

What if our community is not eligible for the exemption?

• You must have a valid liquor licence to sell or supply alcohol
• Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) recommends operating with an on‑premises licence
• Support is available through the Hospitality Concierge, who can help with new or existing licences.

What is considered as a ‘gathering’?

A gathering is a one‑off or occasional event organised by residents, where the alcohol is sold or supplied at a temporary bar or in a common area of the community.

Some examples include: