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Major Risk - Alcohol

Under the Queensland Liquor Act 1992, if liquor is to be sold or supplied at an event, a License or Permit from the Queensland Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing must be obtained.

The event is a one-off; is a license or permit really required?

Even one-off events can still require an approved license or permit.

What if the event is BYO?

The Queensland Liquor Act 1992 prohibits BYO alcohol at certain events. If it is intended that patrons bring their own alcohol the consent of various authorities (such as Qld Office of Liquor Gaming & Racing, Police or Local Council) may still be required. Event organisers must check with relevant authorities and ensure that all appropriate licenses and/or approvals are obtained prior to the event being held.

Responsible Service of Alcohol

Under the Liquor Act 1992 it is an offence to sell liquor to, supply liquor to, allow liquor to be supplied to underage or intoxicated persons.  Event organisers must make their staff aware of what is expected of them regarding the responsible service of alcohol.

Ticketing and Promotion

Event promotion, tickets, signs and public announcements are effective ways to reinforce that underage and intoxicated people will not be sold or supplied with liquor.

CQUniversity Security Office

All events that involve alcohol must also be notified to CQUniversity Security Manager at least 30 days prior to the event being held.

Other Restrictions

The Queensland Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing also enforces various requirements around other issues involving alcohol such as:

  • Drink promotions and happy hours
  • Advertising Drink Promotions
  • Supplying drinking water
  • Permitting minors to attend events
  • Noise restrictions
  • Security and patron safety
  • Risk Assessment Management Plans

Further Information

The following resources will provide further information in relation to alcohol at events:

Qld Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing

 

Below are some examples of hazards, risks and controls associated with alcohol at events

Hazards

Risks

Controls
  • Selling or supplying alcohol at an event without a license or permit
  • Allowing patrons to BYO alcohol without permission from the Office of Liquor Gaming & Racing, the Police or the Local Council
  • Allowing alcohol at an event without adequate security and/or crowd control
  • Failure to exercise responsible service of alcohol requirements at events
  • Failure to communicate responsible service of alcohol (RSA) requirements to patrons prior to and during the event
  • Inadequate numbers of RSA qualified bar persons where applicable
  • Use of volunteer bar staff under the incorrect permit type for an event
  • Admission of minors to events involving alcohol outside of established guidelines
  • Breach of noise restrictions at events involving alcohol
  • Failure to provide adequate drinking water for events involving alcohol
  • Breach of legislative requirements concerning noise
  • Breach of license/permit requirements requiring control of noise sources
  • Noise complaints from the surrounding community
  • Dehydration causing illness and/or death
  • Endangering the personal safety of patrons and event personnel
  • Increasing the risk of violence at events
  • Increased risk of adverse situation requiring emergency response
  • Reputational damage to University
  • Legal action
  • Regulatory prosecution / fines
  • Conduct a Risk Assessment for all events involving or likely to involve alcohol
  • Ensure all events involving alcohol comply with relevant legislative requirements
  • Ensure all licenses/permits from relevant authorities are identified and in force prior to the event
  • Ensure suitable security and/or crowd control is in place for the event
  • Ensure responsible service of alcohol (RSA) requirements are in place for the event
  • Ensure adequate numbers of RSA qualified bar staff are on hand for the event where applicable
  • Ensure volunteers are only utilised with the appropriate license/permit type
  • Ensure minors are not admitted to events except where allowed under legislation
  • Ensure any noise restrictions are complied with for the duration of the event
  • Ensure drinking water is provided at events involving alcohol