Intro
Due to some of the coronavirus responses significantly impacting the liquor industry, the department has introduced a number of initiatives to support licensees and allow most premises to continue to operate in a manner that complies with social distancing guidelines and protocols.
The Closure of Certain Places of Business, Worship and Entertainment Directions issued under Section 71 of the Emergency Management Act 2005 (WA) on 23 and 25 March 2020 direct that all hotels, taverns, clubs, nightclubs, restaurants, the casino and other entertainment venues must be closed for onsite consumption of liquor until further notice.
While hotels, taverns and clubs may be required to be closed for onsite consumption, patrons are permitted to attend and enter the premises to collect packaged liquor, where permitted by the licence conditions, and takeaway meal orders.
Other licensees such as operators of restaurants and small bars may be permitted to sell packaged liquor with a takeaway or delivered meal by applying for an occasional licence (see more details below).
It is recommended that any venue that is trading has signage to clearly identify that they are closed for onsite consumption and are offering takeaway orders and packaged liquor only. Licensees must also comply with social distancing guidelines and protocols to minimise risks to customers and staff.
Download our onsite consumption and packaged liquor only signage for licensees.
To support the liquor industry, the Director of Liquor Licensing will grant occasional liquor licences to existing licensed venues for up to 6 months to allow the sale of liquor with a takeaway or delivered meal.
The occasional liquor licence means that restaurants, small bars, taverns and other outlets with existing liquor licences are allowed to sell one bottle of wine and a six-pack of beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits with a takeaway or delivered meal order.
A simplified application form for an occasional liquor licence, which will be fast tracked, is available on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries' website. The application fee will also be waived.
For further information about obtaining an occasional licence, please call 6551 4904 or email occasionals@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
Download our poster on quantities of packaged liquor for occasional licence holders.
To support social distancing guidelines and contactless delivery options, the Director of Liquor Licensing will grant extended trading permits to licensees of liquor stores, hotels (without a separate drive through) and clubs for up to 6 months to allow for the sale of liquor from a carpark or other external area adjacent to the licensed premises.
Applications for extended trading permits will be fast tracked and the application fee will be waived. Licensees should seek advice from their local government authority in relation to any approvals that may be required to extend the licensed area into the carpark or other external area.
A simplified application form is available on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries' website.
For further information about obtaining an extended trading permit, please call 6551 4904 or email occasionals@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
On 25 March 2020, the Director of Liquor Licensing, in consultation with the WA Commissioner of Police in his capacity as State Emergency Coordinator, introduced temporary restrictions on the sale of packaged liquor across the State, to ensure Western Australia is well prepared to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak and minimise alcohol-related problems in the community.
On 20 April 2020, the director published a notice in the Government Gazette revoking the previous notice and removing the packaged liquor restrictions.
As a result, the packaged liquor restrictions are no longer in place and licensees are not restricted to selling packaged liquor in the prescribed quantities.
In areas of Western Australia where pre-existing packaged liquor restrictions apply, licensees should continue to comply with their previously imposed licence conditions.
This revocation notice does not have the effect of altering pre-existing liquor restrictions.