Annual Licence Fees
Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the liquor and hospitality industry, the NSW Government has announced that it will waive most annual licence fees for the 2020-2021 fee period.
The base fee and trading hours risk loading fee that normally applies to liquor licences will be waived. However, the compliance risk loadings that might also apply to a liquor licence will remain, but those fees will be deferred and included in the 2021-2022 fee period.
This applies for small bars, microbreweries and small distilleries, on-premises licence holders, clubs, hotels, producer or wholesaler licence holders, limited licences, general bar and packaged liquor licence holders (if 3 or less outlets are owned by the same licensee or business). If 4 or more packaged liquor licences are held by the same licensee or business then normal fees apply.
If you are not eligible for the automatic annual liquor licence fee waiver, but are still experiencing financial hardship, then you still can apply to Liquor & Gaming for a fee waiver.
New Licence Applicants
The Government will also waive new liquor licence application fees and pro-rata liquor licence fees for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. The same criteria as noted above applies. If eligible, it means you can apply for a new liquor licence without the requirement to pay the usual lodgment fees associated with that application. This waiver of fees extends to applications to remove an existing licence to a new site and any authorizations (such as primary service or extended trading authorizations) submitted with these applications.
Liquor & Gaming NSW will also be refunding application fees paid on eligible applications lodged from 1 April 2020.
For further details please click here.
We understand businesses are struggling in the current economic climate. We are here to assist you in any way we can. Should you wish to discuss your current or future liquor licensing needs, then please do not hesitate to contact Tony Schwartz on (02) 8383 3777.