Running a licensed venue — whether it’s a bar, café, bottle shop, or events venue — means you’ve got responsibilities. The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (Act) sets out clear rules to promote safe and responsible sale, supply, and consumption of alcohol. Most of the time, things go smoothly. But occasionally, things go wrong – a staff member forgets to ask for ID, someone gets served when they shouldn’t, or an inspector raises a concern.
What matters most is how you respond.
Whether it’s a minor slip-up or something more serious, these best-practice steps can help you act quickly, reduce harm, and protect your licence.
- Act quickly and take immediate responsibility
If a breach occurs — like serving a minor or intoxicated person — act immediately. Record what happened, inform your Duty Manager, and take steps to reduce harm (stop service, arrange safe transport, etc.). Being proactive shows you’re taking it seriously.
- Be honest and cooperative with the Agencies
If Licensing Inspectors or Police are involved, stay calm and be transparent. Don’t hide mistakes. Be honest about what happened. Don’t try to cover things up or shift blame — that usually makes things worse. If you don’t know the answer to something, it’s okay to say so, but follow up as soon as you can with the right information.
- Review what went wrong — and why
After any compliance issue, it’s important to pause and look deeper. Was this a one-off mistake, or does it point to a bigger problem? Maybe a staff member wasn’t properly trained. Maybe your systems for checking ID or monitoring intoxication weren’t clear. Sit down with your team, especially your Duty Managers, and review the incident. Talk about what happened and how it could be avoided in future.
- Update your systems and retrain staff
Once you’ve identified the cause of the breach, take action to fix it. This might mean updating your Host Responsibility Policy, changing your internal processes, or retraining your staff.
Make sure every team member understands their role, especially around age verification, signs of intoxication, and what to do in a tricky situation. Run refresher training regularly and keep a record of it. These training logs are useful if you ever need to demonstrate to the District Licensing Committee that you take compliance seriously.
- Take early action if facing formal enforcement
If you receive a formal notice — such as a letter from the Police or a notification of a hearing — don’t ignore it. These processes have tight timelines, and how you respond can have a big impact on the outcome.
Seek advice early, especially if the matter is serious. A licensing consultant or specialist lawyer familiar with the Act can help you prepare your case, respond appropriately, and often reduce the severity of any penalties.
Final Word: A breach isn’t the end — It’s a chance to improve
Mistakes can happen, even in well-run premises. What matters is how you respond. If you act quickly, take responsibility, and show a clear plan to improve, you’re far more likely to keep your licence and build trust with enforcement agencies. The Act is all about reducing harm — and responsible operators are a big part of that. Stay proactive, keep your team informed, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
