The department will be closed from Wednesday 27 December 2023 to Monday 1 January 2024. We will respond to queries in the New Year. Best wishes for a safe and happy festive season.
The department is responsible for administering the Liquor Control Act 1988 and promoting the integrity and lawful liquor activities in Western Australia.
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Mingullatharndo (Five Mile) in the Pilbara has become the latest liquor restricted community in Western Australia in response to concerns raised by local leaders and as part of the State Government’s ongoing action to reduce alcohol-related harm.
New laws to strengthen the Banned Drinkers Register passed through Parliament yesterday to improve its effectiveness in reducing alcohol-related harm.
Western Australian pubs and bars can apply for longer trading hours to show matches in the upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup in a major win for fans of the sport.
New regulations have come into effect to stamp out sly grogging in Carnarvon, giving WA Police the power to immediately dispose of illegal alcohol when they stop and search a vehicle.
The Banned Drinkers Register is now up and running in Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction with buyers of takeaway alcohol required to show photo identification.
The State Government’s investment in revitalising the Perth CBD and Northbridge continues with a further 15 eligible businesses, property owners and not-for-profits sharing nearly $1 million of funding from the Perth CBD Revitalisation Grant Program.
The State Government will introduce new legislation to strengthen the Banned Drinkers Register following trials in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Goldfields regions.
New laws to ban violent thugs from popular entertainment precincts will come into effect on Christmas Eve, in a crackdown on anti-social behaviour just in time for the festive season.
WA’s Director of Liquor Licensing Lanie Chopping has proposed changes to the way packaged liquor is sold in some Kimberley towns, in her determination of 2 separate Inquiries under section 64 of the Liquor Control Act 1988 (the Act).
The department mailed out invoices for annual liquor licence fees on 16 November 2022, with payments due on or before 1 January 2023.
Issued under the Liquor Control Act 1988 sections 31 (4) and (7) and 60 by the Director of Liquor Licensing.
Laws to enhance safety in Western Australia's popular entertainment precincts by banning perpetrators of violent or threatening behaviour have passed through Parliament.
Western Australia's small bars — which transformed laneways, activated entertainment precincts, and gave rise to a more sophisticated drinking culture — have celebrated their 15th year.
On health advice, Western Australia’s State of Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic ended at 12.01am, the morning of Friday 4 November 2022. As a result, the Liquor Control (Section 31) Notice expired at this time.
The State Government has introduced the Liquor Control Amendment (Protected Entertainment Precincts) Bill 2022 in Parliament.
A consultation on options to strengthen the Banned Drinkers Register (BDR) has been launched after an independent evaluation of the scheme’s trial in the Pilbara.
Proposed new legislation will exclude convicted offenders and perpetrators of antisocial behaviour in designated Protected Entertainment Precincts from entering those areas.
Western Australia’s hospitality and bar scene will receive a major boost thanks to the State Government’s one-off extended trading permits policy for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup football (soccer) games.
Deadline for industry submissions extended until 1 September 2022.
Activating Alfresco aids COVID recovery.
The department is responsible for determining applications and other matters relating to liquor licensing under the auspices of the Director of Liquor Licensing who performs statutory functions and exercises statutory powers as prescribed by the Act.
Renewing and applying for liquor licenses, permits, conditions including fees and charges.
Applying for liquor licences, permits, conditions including fees and charges.
Requirements when applying for a liquor licence as per the Liquor Control Act 1988 including who can apply for the grant of a licence.
Sign into the online portal to renew a liquor licence.
A list of currently advertised liquor applications.
Objecting to a liquor licence application that is currently being advertised.
A list of fees and charges for liquor applications.
Decisions made by the Director of Liquor Licensing.
Temporary event approvals made by the Director of Liquor Licensing.
Guides for lodging applications through the online portal.
The department is responsible for monitoring compliance and maintaining the integrity of licensed operations by conducting audits, inspections and investigations of liquor operators.
The register identifies people who are banned from purchasing takeaway alcohol in the Pilbara.
Help for individuals to apply to become an approved manager, renew or replace your card.
Requirements for licensees when managing licensed premises.
There are 11 different types of liquor licence available in Western Australia.
Guidance for licensees completing annual liquor returns.
Templates, checklists, forms and posters for licencees.
Liquor restrictions across Western Australia.
Prohibition orders can be issued to people in or around licensed premises.
Ensuring safe and well managed environments in and around licensed premises in the community.
The Commission reviews decisions, determines complaints and disciplinary matters and other decisions.
Important information about the Liquor Control Act 1988.
Pay your liquor licence fee online.
Where licensees wish to extend their predetermined trading hours or licensed area.
A juvenile is someone who is under the age of 18 years and is not permitted by law to purchase liquor either on premises or off premises.
Information for licensees about the promotion of liquor.
A map of packaged liquor premises over 400m2
Policies to ensure responsible regulation of the hospitality industry.
Liquor policies to ensure harm-minimisation for staff and patrons.
Liquor policies liquor licensing and permits.
Liquor policies for varying liquor licensing and permits.
Liquor policies for approved managers and licensees.
Liquor policies ensuring complaints management is transparent and fair.
Training ensures the service of alcohol is safe and responsible venues commit to harm-minimisation.
Responsible service of alcohol, staff training and registered training organisations.
A list of registered training organisations for liquor licensing.
The department, through the licensing of suppliers and the provision of industry support services, promotes and maintains the integrity of lawful liquor activities for Western Australians to participate in, within community expectations on harm minimisation.
The department achieves its mission through the provision of services to maintain public confidence in liquor industries. This confidence has been achieved by maintaining confidentiality and applying the principles of fairness and natural justice.
We perform many functions, including:
The Director of Liquor Licensing (DLL) is independent of the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Liquor, Police Commissioner or any other party.
An important aspect of the DLL’s role is they must have the flexibility and discretion to make decisions about an application or matter, while balancing the interests of consumers, industry development and harm minimisation.
The role of the DLL is to:
A local government's town planning scheme serves as the most important tool in shaping a community's liquor environment outside of the Liquor Control Act.
In essence, the department supports local government authorities shape the way liquor is sold and supplied in their communities.
An application for a liquor licence can't be approved by the department if local government planning approval has not been granted.
In accordance with sections 39 and 40 of the Act, an applicant for a licence is required to submit local government certificates demonstrating compliance with:
Section 39 and 40 certificates apply to:
The licensing authority has the discretion to waive the requirement for a local government certificates to accompany an application during the licensing process.
However, an applicant would still have to obtain the relevant approvals from the local government authority prior to proceeding with any development and the applicant is still bound by local government authority health and planning requirements.
It is for these reasons and for consistency across government, that the licensing authority does not exercise its discretion to waive the requirement.
Local government's make the first determination in the usage of land, such as alfresco areas and footpaths, for licensed premises.
All local government bodies assist the department uphold the Liquor Control Act when required, and inform the department when a licensee is prosecuted and convicted of breaching local government regulations.
During the licensing process WA Police have the authority to make comment on whether an application should be granted or refused.
WA Police also have the ability to provide information about any person applying for a liquor licence or applying for permission to work within the liquor industry. This information may take the form of a Police clearance certificate, or be supplied by way of a more detailed background report.
The WA Police is the main authority charged with the enforcement of the Liquor Control Act.
The Chief Health Officer has the authority to comment on any matter before the licensing authority based on the potential, or existence of harm or ill-health caused to people due to the use of liquor.
The Chief Health Officer has the right to oppose any application based on the negative health impacts that the granting of the licence may contribute to
The Liquor Commission:
Liquor Commission of Western Australia
Telephone 61 8 6551 4888Freecall 1800 634 541 (WA country callers only)Email rgl@dlgsc.wa.gov.au