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Approved managers, responsible service of alcohol, staff training and registered training organisations.
Guidance for licensees on how to comply with:
Well managed premises and the responsible service of alcohol are seen as important tools in providing consumers with safer, more responsible venues that are committed to implementing harm-minimisation strategies.
In this context, the provisions of section 100 of the Liquor Control Act 1988 (the Act) require that there is always a person in a position of authority on the premises who is capable of managing and supervising the conduct of business and exercising authority over the activities that occur at the premises. They must be approved by the licensing authority as an Approved Manager.
In practice, the licensee must appoint someone to be the responsible person in charge of the premises. That person represents the licensee and therefore also carries responsibility in respect of the obligations under the Act. An appointed person (approved manager) must be present at the premises at any time the licensee is open for business.
A person seeking to become an approved manager must lodge an application with the department and pay the prescribed fee at a participating Australia Post outlet. Once the application is successfully lodged, that person is deemed to be an approved manager unless the licensing authority determines otherwise.
In determining whether to approve a person as a manager of licensed premises the licensing authority will assess the suitability in respect of whether that person is fit and proper to be approved.
There are two types of Approved Manager:
Section 100(3) of the Act provides that where an approved manager is absent for any reason, the licensee or approved manager may appoint another person to act as a temporary manager for a period of:
The temporary manager provisions are intended to be used in extenuating circumstances and should not be used as a means for the licensee to evade their obligations to appoint an approved manager.
Some examples of appropriate uses of the temporary manager provisions include:
Some examples of inappropriate uses of the temporary manager provisions include:
A temporary manager cannot be someone who has been found not 'fit and proper' by the licensing authority.
It is good practice for the licensee to provide written authorisation to a person that they appoint as a temporary manager which can be recorded in the incident register.
For all other bar staff engaged in the sale, supply or service of liquor at a licensed premises, the mandatory training requirement is the nationally accredited Responsible Service of Alcohol (SITHFAB021) unit of competency unless working at a club or club restricted licensed premises. At a club or club restricted premises bar staff engaged in the sale, supply or service of liquor can complete the Clubs WA Responsible Service of Alcohol -— Club Industry Training course instead.
The following superseded nationally accredited Responsible Service of Alcohol courses are also accepted by the licensing authority:
Staff engaged in the sale, supply or service of liquor have 28 days from the date they commence employment/volunteer in that capacity to complete the course. They must provide a copy of their training certificate to the club as soon as practicable.
Currently (in Western Australia only) the above courses have no expiration date, so once the course has been completed no further training or licensing is required to be undertaken.
Section 103A(1)(b) of the Act states that licensees must maintain, on the licensed premises, a training register that records the details of all employees/volunteers who have completed the Responsible Service of Alcohol unit of competency.
It is not necessary to record the details of any training completed by approved managers as they have already been issued with an Approved Manager’s Identification Card by the licensing authority.
It is a requirement for the licensee to keep a copy of the training certificate on the premises as per regulation 14AG(2) of the Liquor Control Regulations 1989. This can either be hard copy or stored electronically, provided it is available for inspection when required. We have an approved standard format for the training register available on our website.
The penalty for non-compliance is $5000.
There are four steps required to become an approved manager:
The Approved Manager ID Card lasts for a period of five years and can be renewed online prior to expiry. A summary of the application process is provided below. Further information is provided in the Approved Manager’s Lodgement Guide.
You must attain or have already completed one of the following training courses:
Either the Clubs WA Responsible Service of Alcohol —- Clubs Industry Training course or the nationally accredited Responsible Service of Alcohol (SITHFAB021) unit of competency. The following superseded courses are also accepted by the licensing authority:
The course in Management of Licensed Premises (52863WA – MLPLCA001 unit.)
The following superseded courses are also accepted by the licensing authority:
Refer to our list or Registered Training Organisations to locate a training provider near you.
Do not give the original copy of your training certificate to anyone. Photocopies are sufficient to be retained by the club and to be lodged as part of the Approved Manager Application.
You can obtain a National Police Clearance (NPC) from:
Please note that NPCs will only be accepted if they are less than three months old from the date of issue. If you provide an out of date NPC, you will be requested to provide a new NPC prior to approval of the application.
Applications to become an Approved Manager must be made under the name of the individual person, not the club.
First you must create an account on the department's portal. This account will be used to submit your application, change your address details and request replacement ID cards.
Approved Manager's lodgement guide
Once you are logged on to the website you can submit an Approved Manager application. Print the Application Summary to take to the Post Office (the two page document generated upon completion of application).
The Application Summary, a copy of your Training Certificate, a copy of your National Police Clearance and the fee must be lodged at a WA Post Office to complete the application. The post office will confirm your identification (refer to page 1 of your Application Summary) and take your photo for the Approved Manager card.
Once the application is lodged with Australia Post you will be given a receipt which enables you to act as an Approved Manager until the application has been determined. Hold onto this receipt as you may be asked to present it by an authorised officer.
The Approved Manager ID Card is to be kept on you at all times whilst working in the capacity as an Approved Manager.
You must present this card for inspection when asked by an authorised officer, for example an inspector from the department or an officer from the WA Police Service. If you do not have the card on you at the time, then you have a period of 48 hours to produce it to an authorised officer or to the officer in charge at a police station.
The ID card is not suitable as identification for any other purpose and is valid for a period of five years. You will be notified prior to the expiry of your existing approval and given instructions on how to renew your application.
Please ensure you retain your log in details and update your contact details as required. This will enable you to receive information pertaining to your approval when applicable.
You are not required to notify the department when you leave a licensed premises or move to a new licensed premises. Provided you retain your ID card it is valid at any licensed premises in WA subject to your level of approval (Unrestricted/Restricted).
This information is designed to provide authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered, and with the understanding that the Director of Liquor Licensing is not passing legal opinion or interpretation or other professional advice. The information is provided on the understanding that all persons undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its contents.