As a liquor licensee you are responsible for the actions of your employees. When an employee commits particular offences, you are presumed to have participated in the offence. This means that both you (as the licensee) and the staff member may be liable and fined. Show
For example, if a minor is on the premises, each of the following people may have committed an offence:
The only defences for allowing a non-exempt minor onto licensed premises are if:
On-the-spot finesCompliance officers can issue on-the-spot fines under the Liquor Act 1992. Sections 155–157 of the Liquor Act specifically relate to minors. Sections 36–38 of the Wine Industry Act 1994 relate to fineable offences regarding minors. Read a full list of fines and penalties for liquor licensees. ProsecutionLicensees and staff can be prosecuted and fined up to $14,375 if non-exempt minors are found on licensed premises. Prosecution for supplying alcohol to a minor on licensed premises can result in penalties of up to $35,937 for a licensee or approved manager and $11,500 for a bar attendant or individual. How to prevent prosecutionThe best ways for you and your staff to avoid prosecution is to:
Licence suspensionUnder the Liquor Act, a liquor licence will be suspended if, within a 2-year period, 2 convictions are recorded against a licensee for any combination of the following offences:
In this case, the licence that relates to the premises on or from which the latest of the offences was committed (if it is still held by or under the control of the licence holder), is suspended. Most expensive drink campaignThe Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) encourages licensees to actively support the 'Most expensive drink' alcohol harm minimisation campaign. This campaign aims to educate adults about irresponsibly supplying alcohol to under 18s. The Most expensive drink sign and LCD screen images are available for you to download and use in your bottle shop and licensed venue. Read consumer information about irresponsibly supplying alcohol to under 18s. Also consider...
On licensed premises (or on a street or place adjacent to licensed premises such as the area around bottle shops), minors cannot be:
It is also an offence for a minor to be on licensed premises unless they are an 'exempt minor'. Licensees and staff are required to ensure that non-exempt minors are not on the premises and to remove them from the venue as soon as they are found. Both the licensed venue and the minor can be penalised for breaching the law. The penalties listed below are current as at 1 July. The values change each year on this date. Penalties for selling alcohol to a minor
Read more about penalties for irresponsible service of alcohol. Penalties for minorsPenalties apply for the minor too, so by removing them from the premises you are doing them a favour!
To learn more, read our penalties for allowing minors on premises and under-age drinking guide. Go to quiz Also consider...
What is the fine for serving alcohol to a minor Victoria?Penalties. The maximum penalty for allowing a young person in a licensed place, serving alcohol to a person under 18 or buying alcohol for someone underage, is 60 penalty units. An employee who serves alcohol to someone under 18 can be fined up to 10 penalty units.
What is the fine for selling alcohol to a minor in Australia?Anyone under the age of 18 years old is considered a minor. Significant penalties can apply to anyone selling or supplying liquor to a minor in NSW, including: on-the-spot penalty notice of $1,100. court imposed fines of up to $11,000 and/or 12 months imprisonment.
What is the fine for serving alcohol to a minor Qld?You could face court and be fined up to $11,500 for supplying alcohol to an under 18 year old while at a private place, if you're not their responsible adult and providing responsible supervision.
What happens if you get caught drinking under 18 in Australia?If you are under 18 and caught drinking alcohol in a public place without adult supervision, you might be warned, cautioned, or the police may fine you $365 on the spot. You can always choose to have the matter decided by a court.
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