What is a Liquor Plan of Management (LPoM)?
A LPoM is a written guide that includes the following:
- Explains how your venue will serve alcohol repsonsibly
- Guides you and your staff to follow liquor laws and licence conditions
- Shows how your venue will reduce harm and keep patrons safe.
What do I include in the LPoM?
Your plan will depend on your business type, but the focus must be on Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA).
Mandatory requirements
When preparing your LPoM, you must include the key mandatory items listed below.
Business Model
- Outline your business objectives and purpose
- Describe the principal activity that you will conduct on the premises
- Include the maximum number of patrons permitted at your venue (for consumption on premises venues only).
Responsible Service of Alcohol
- List the food your venue will offer and when it’s available
- Confirm free drinking water is always available
- Explain how you prevent selling or supplying alcohol to minors and how you will check evidence of age (ID)
- Describe how you will manage intoxication, outline your venue’s policies and procedures including:
- steps you will take to prevent intoxication
- how staff monitor signs of intoxication
- how staff refuse service and manage intoxicated persons
- transport options available to intoxicated persons.
Staff
- Confirm all staff involved in the sale and supply of alcohol hold a valid RSA competency card
- Confirm that on-duty staff will only drink alcohol while working if it's for a genuine business reason, like tasting a cocktail with a straw or sampling wine to give customers better advice
- Explain how your staff will be trained on the LPoM - state how often updated staff training will be held (i.e. monthly, quarterly) and how you will document all trainings that have been completed
- Explain how you will make your LPoM available for staff to access at any time.
Amenity
- Explain how you will monitor patron behaviour when they enter or leave
- Include your venue’s procedures for handling complaints and resolutions
- List noise control measures to protect your neighbourhood (incorporate recommendations from an acoustic report if included in your DA)
- Include safety policies for customers, staff, and the community (security and emergency plans).
Review
- Be sure to include the date and use clear headings and page numbers
- Include your Licence Name, Licence Number (if applicable), and premises address on the first page
- Include contact details of:
- Local Licensing Police
- Security provider (if relevant)
- Explain how you intend to keep the plan up to date and how often you will review it (i.e. monthly, quarterly, half yearly)
- Make sure your LPoM aligns with your liquor licence conditions (if applicable).
Additional information
We may ask for additional information based on your business type or licence conditions.
Some examples of what we may ask you to include are:
- Details of alarm system and security arrangements (how many, when, for how long, etc) are required if the use of security is detailed in your application to mitigate risks
- Will CCTV video surveillance be used
- Your venue’s approach to dealing with problem patrons
- Your venue’s process for maintaining an incident register
- Minimising the impact of amplified/outdoor entertainment on the surrounding locality (required for venue’s providing live music or entertainment)
- Policy/procedures regarding running responsible liquor promotions
- Transport options for customers and staff, especially for intoxicated customers
- Policies and procedures to prevent secondary supply to minors (required for karaoke venues and cinemas)
- Details of participation in a liquor accord (if applicable).
When should I update the LPoM?
You must update your LPoM whenever your business model or liquor licence changes. Talk to your local licensing police before making updates. Examples of changes include adding a new licensed outdoor dining area. When managing new areas, keep these key considerations in mind:
- How you will monitor new areas without direct line of sight from a service area and how often will the area be checked and how (e.g. physical inspection or CCTV)
- How serving staff will keep track of the number of drinks consumed by customers
- How you will manage noise and disruption to local residents and pedestrians if the new area is outdoor.
Your general licence conditions will also apply to the outdoor dining area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a Liquor Plan of Management for every type of liquor licence?
Not always. It depends on your licence type and conditions. Some licences require a detailed plan, while others may only need basic compliance measures.
How detailed should the Liquor Plan of Management be?
Your plan should reflect your business model and licence conditions. Larger venues or those with entertainment may need more detail than small cafés or restaurants.
Who is responsible for creating and maintaining the LPoM?
The licensee is responsible for preparing, updating, and ensuring staff follow the plan.
How often should I review or update the LPoM?
You should review it regularly—at least annually—and update it whenever your business model or licence conditions change (e.g., adding an outdoor area).
Do I need to train staff on the LPoM?
Yes. All staff involved in selling or serving alcohol must be trained and understand the LPoM. You should also keep records of training sessions.
What happens if I fail to follow the LPoM?
You may face compliance action, fines, or licence suspension. The LPoM helps demonstrate you are meeting your legal obligations.
What should I do if my venue has multiple areas (e.g. indoor and outdoor)?
Include details on how you will monitor and manage each area, especially if staff cannot see all areas directly.