Updated 4 February 2020
With the introduction on 1 January 2009 of the position of approved manager for licensed premises the position of nominee for a liquor licence will cease to exist.
Who Can Be An Approved Manager?
Current liquor nominees will be deemed to be approved managers from 1 January 2009 and the deemed approval will continue until 30 June 2010. If the individual wishes to continue to be an approved manager after this date, he or she must complete the mandatory training courses, Responsible Management of Licensed Venues and Responsible Service of Alcohol, and submit the relevant application form with supporting documents and approved fee to the Licensing Division before 30 April 2010.
An individual who is currently a Liquor Licence Nominee, Casino Employee, Casino Key Employee, Gaming Employee, Gaming Nominee, Gaming Repairer, Keno Employee Wagering, Key Lottery Employee or Key Monitoring Employee and holds current RMLV and RSA certificates may become an approved manager by applying for a fast-track upgrade.
Any person over the age of 18 who does not fall into the above categories and wishes to gain approval as a manager must complete the mandatory training courses and submit the application form with supporting documents and the prescribed fee to the Licensing Division.
What Are The Requirements Relating To Approved Managers?
While the licensed premises is open during standard trading hours, 10 am to 12 midnight, an approved manager must be on site or reasonably available. Reasonably available is defined as being able to be contacted by the staff on the premises and being able to be at the premises within one hour of being contacted. If the premises is trading outside of standard hours an approved manager must be on site at all times. Some exemptions apply for individual licensees who can be on site or reasonably available at all times the premises is open. Premises classified as low risk do not need to have an approved manager unless they have approval to trade past midnight.
There is no longer a need to maintain an approved manager register. However, the licensee must have a copy of the approved manager’s current RMLV certificate on the premises.
Where Can You Find More Information?
The application forms for approved managers are now available from the OLGR website. Whilst the Licensing Division has indicated it is now able to accept applications for approval as a manager, the application fee has not yet been prescribed. However, we have been told that the fee will be $366 ($521.70 in 2020) or a figure very close to this amount. The OLGR website also outlines the requirements relating to approved managers and the transitional arrangements dealing with nominees.
If you have any specific queries relating to your obligations under the new legislation, please call us on 07 3252 4066 or contact us by email.
Update 8 July 2015 – current application fees and an online form are available on the OLGR Website.
Update 4 February 2020 – removal of reference to Approved Manager Register and addition of information on low risk premises.