Liquor Law

The Liquor Act 2007 and the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007 are known as the NSW liquor laws.

The Liquor Act 2007 regulates and controls the sale and supply of alcohol and certain aspects of the use of premises on which alcohol is sold or supplied. It also provides the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) and the Secretary of the Department of Customer Service with powers to regulate the sale and supply of alcohol.

The Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007 establishes ILGA as the authority for the purposes of liquor regulatory functions, including, determining liquor licensing and disciplinary matters. It also ensures officials under the gaming and liquor legislation are of the highest integrity and provides investigation and enforcement powers for the purposes of the legislation.

Objectives of the Liquor Act 2007

The objectives of the Liquor Act 2007 are to:

• regulate and control the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in a way that is consistent with the expectations, needs and aspirations of the community
• facilitate the balanced development, in the public interest, of the liquor industry through a flexible and practical regulatory system with minimal formality and technicality
• contribute to the responsible development of related industries such as the live music, entertainment, tourism and hospitality industries.

To secure these objectives, the Liquor Act requires that each person who exercises functions under the Act - including a licensee – has due regard to the need to:

• minimise harm associated with misuse and abuse of alcohol - including harm arising from violence and other anti-social behaviour
• encourage responsible attitudes and practices towards the promotion, sale, supply, service and consumption of alcohol
• ensure that the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol contributes to, and does not detract from, the amenity of community life.

Objectives of the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007

The objectives of the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007 are to:

• ensure the probity of public officials who are engaged in the administration of the gaming and liquor legislation
• ensure that ILGA is accessible and responsive to the needs of all persons and bodies who deal with it
• promote fair and transparent decision-making under the gaming and liquor legislation
• require matters under the gaming and liquor legislation to be dealt with and decided in an informal and expeditious manner
• promote public confidence in ILGA’s decision-making and in the conduct of its members.

These objectives guide regulators, licensees, persons selling and supplying alcohol, and the community on the purpose and application of the liquor laws.

Read: NSW Government response to the "Statutory review of the Liquor Act 2007 and the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007"(PDF, 448 KB).