Compliance campaign - be prepared for a safe summer and festive season - practical tips for your venue

Over the coming months, L&GNSW Inspectors will visit venues across NSW, working with staff and operators to implement safe, practical measures that minimise risk and maximise success.

In addition to general regulatory requirements, there are some key steps you can take to get your business ready and ensure your team is supported during the busy season.

Staff awareness

• Conduct regular team meetings to keep staff informed across relevant venue information e.g. operations, liquor licence and plans of management.
• Make sure every staff member has completed Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training and encourage those staff who have completed their training some time ago to undertake refresher training so everyone understands their individual obligations.
• Talk to your staff about responsible service of alcohol and ensure everyone understands your venues’ policies and steps for preventing intoxication and managing anti-social behaviour.

Liquor promotions

L&GNSW Inspectors routinely engage with venues on liquor promotions. It is important to take a considered approach regarding your current or proposed liquor promotions across the summer and festive season.

Venue operators should review current and proposed liquor promotions to ensure they support the responsible service of alcohol and align to the Liquor Promotion Guidelines.

In addition to following your operational plans of management, venues should consider the following items to ensure promotions reduce risk and support responsible service:

• duration of the promotion and understand back-to-back promotions may create risk
• type of product being promoted
• type of supervision, management and RSA processes in place to ensure the promotion is conducted safely and responsibly.

Prevention of supply to minors

During this season, and with studies coming to an end, we typically see an increase in young people attending licensed premises to celebrate the end of the year.

Ensuring alcohol is not sold or supplied to minors is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you operate a café, restaurant, club or hotel, the requirement is the same. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
 
What you can do:

• include ID checks within your daily work practice. You have a legal right and responsibility to ask someone for their ID to confirm their age
• ensure persons over 18 are not buying alcohol for minors
• ensure persons under 18 are accompanied by a responsible adult when entering, or remaining in, a bottle shop (packaged liquor outlet)
  • penalties apply for the licensee and the minor if they access and remain in the store and ID checks were not conducted.

We look forward to working with you during this summer and festive season. Further summer festive season venue tips is available.

For any questions about preparing for the summer and festive season, please contact the Hospitality Concierge at concierge@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au