Liquor licensing reforms

About the reform

On 1 January 2024, we introduced changes to the Liquor Act 2010. These changes support smaller venues to start up and stay open longer. They also encourage new business models for Canberra’s night-time economy and support artistic and cultural expression.

Some of the changes include:

• reducing annual liquor licence fees for lower occupancy restaurants and cafés by 50%
• extending standard licensed times for lower occupancy restaurants and cafés. This gives businesses licensed for standard hours the option to stay open until 2 am at no extra cost
• reducing annual liquor licence fees for bars with an occupancy of 30 people or less by 80%
• reducing annual liquor licence fees for general licences with an occupancy of 20 people or less by 80%
• removing the need for general licence holders to have separate areas for the sale of liquor for on and off-premises consumption.

Further changes

July 2025

In July 2025 we extended liquor licence reductions to better support small and medium size hospitality businesses and encourage more venues to showcase artists and creatives. These changes include:

• automatically reducing annual liquor licence fees for restaurants and cafés with an occupancy of between 81 and 150 people by 50%
• automatically reducing annual liquor licence fees for general licences with an occupancy of between 21 and 150 people by 50%
• eligible venues with occupancies between 151 and 350 people that showcase artists, musicians and other cultural activities can apply to have their annual liquor licence fees reduced by 50%. To check the fee reduction guidelines and apply, go to Access Canberra’s Liquor licences.

April 2024

In April 2024 we introduced further changes to the Act. These changes focus on supporting Canberra’s creative industry and delivering flexibility for businesses, including:

• committing the ACT Government to support live music, entertainment and tourism. For more information, see under ‘Objects and Principles’ (Division 1.2) in the Liquor Act 2010
• extending an exemption to nail and beauty salons where the provision of alcohol is complimentary. Also, when alcohol is included as part of raffles and charitable fundraising. For more information, see under 'Application of Act - supply of liquor by exempt business' (Section 8A) in the Liquor Act 2010.

July 2024

In July 2024 we introduced more changes to support venues that want to hold events or celebrate special events of significance to Canberrans. Also for venues that showcase artists, musicians, and cultural activities. These changes include:

• increasing the number of free extended trading authorisations available to 10, across any 12-month period, for business-led events (licensee events) or special events
• increasing the number of free authorisations available for licensees to change their floor plan to 10, across any 12-month period. This is for business-led (licensee) events or special events with approval from the landlord
• the Head of Access Canberra can now authorise a special event which automatically extends trading hours for licensed venues covered by the declaration
• Access Canberra can now issue an interim licence where:
  • there’s a delay in assessing the suitability of a premises
  • the commissioner is satisfied from a risk and safety perspective that the premises can still provide alcohol
• eligible venues that showcase artists, musicians and other cultural activities can now apply to have their annual liquor licence fee reduced by 80%.

Why it’s important

The ACT Government heard through our consultations that businesses in the night-time economy faced ongoing barriers to doing business. The COVID-19 pandemic added to these.

We talked to businesses operating in:

• the arts
• hospitality
• food and drink
• recreation.

We committed to reviewing the regulatory settings for the ACT’s night-time economy, including food and beverage regulation.

These reforms deliver a more flexible and responsive regulatory environment to support businesses operating in the night-time economy, and a more vibrant nightlife for Canberrans.

Next steps

The government will continue to monitor the efficacy of these reforms. This includes talking with businesses to identify ongoing issues and further opportunities for regulatory reform.

Key achievements

These reforms have successfully reduced financial and regulatory burden for hundreds of licensed businesses in the ACT. In addition to this, the reforms have increased employment opportunities for musicians and artists.

To find out more about these achievements, including how we consulted with business and community, see Night-time Economy Review.

Agencies involved

• Policy and Cabinet
• Justice and Community Safety Directorate
• ACT Health Directorate
• ACT Policing
• Access Canberra

Contact us

Related information