New approved manager system to provide greater flexibility

Changes to deliver a significant reduction in administrative and financial commitments for licensees in regards to approved managers will today come into effect.

The amendments to the Liquor Control Act 1988 will also provide greater flexibility for managers to move between licensed premises without licensees having to apply to the licensing authority.

Racing and Gaming Minister Terry Waldron said the new system included two levels of approved manager; restricted and unrestricted.

"The unrestricted category is required for managers at commercial licence venues such as taverns, liquor stores and so on," Mr Waldron said.

"Whereas the restricted category is required by managers at club and club restricted premises."

The Minister said restricted managers must have completed the nationally accredited Responsible Service of Alcohol as a minimum while unrestricted managers were required to also have completed the Course in Liquor Licensing.

Applications for the two categories of approved manager must be submitted by the manager themselves, and approval is valid for five years.

Those managers already in the system as approved managers will not be required to pay the application fee to register as an approved manager under the new system.

"This represents a significant financial saving for existing managers as they will receive the first five years of their new licence free of charge," Mr Waldron said.

The Minister said licensees would retain responsibility for ensuring the conduct of their business was personally supervised and managed by an approved manager at all times the venue was trading.

"Importantly, licensees are still required to display the name of the manager or managers who are on duty at all times the venue is open for business," he said.

"This can be done by using the existing sign at the entrance to the licensed premises or by displaying a sign or notice in a conspicuous position inside the venue."