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Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Q&A - Liquor Restrictions

Information for licensees

The following information is provided to help you understand the liquor provisions of the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007. This information is not intended to be used as legal advice. Enforcement of this Act is the responsibility of the Northern Territory Police and Courts. You must be sure that you are acting in a way that complies with the new law. This includes obtaining independent legal advice if required.


What are my obligations under the new law?

When a customer purchases the following in a single take away transaction:

You must:

What are the approved forms of identification?

Samples of these approved forms of identification are attached:

Should I take identification details for discounted sales?

Identification details and other information should not be recorded for discounted sales if the purchase price, (that is the actual amount of money paid by the customer), is less than $100. For example, if a customer buys $110 worth of liquor and receives a 20% discount, (bringing the purchase price down to $88), details would not be recorded as the final sale is less than $100.

When should I take identification details for wine sales?

Identification details and other information should only be taken where the total quantity of wine being purchased exceeds five (5) litres. For example, where a 2 and 4 litre cask of wine is bought, details would be required because the total sale is more than 5 litres. 

What if the customer refuses to give identification details?

Customers do not commit an offence if they refuse to provide identification details. However, if you proceed with the sale and do not record the relevant information, you will be in breach of the law and may leave yourself open to prosecution.

What do I do for orders placed over the phone or internet?

Under this law you are only required to ask the customer to “produce” evidence of identification (noting the list of approved documents provided in this fact sheet).  A customer can therefore give these details over the telephone, without having to physically show the necessary documentation. You would still need to exercise judgement that the information being provided satisfies the identification requirements under this law.

What do I do for corporate orders?

Where identification details are required for orders placed by a business or community groups that have a “corporate account” with the licensee, the details should be obtained from the person who has been authorised to make this purchase on behalf of the organisation. The person’s name and the business address of the organisation should be recorded. The Northern Territory Licensing Commission has approved the use of an ACN or ABN printed on business letterhead as proof of identity for these purchases.

What do I do where there are no address details on the identification document?

Under this law, you are only required to record the customer’s name and address that is recorded on the approved identification document. Where a document does not have address details, you should record the user-identification number or any other relevant information that is included on the document.

How do I store customer records?

This law requires customer records to be kept by the licensee for up to three (3) years. Not storing the records for that period is an offence, punishable by a fine of up to $5,500. These records must be stored at the licensed premises, or as directed by the Northern Territory Licensing Commission. 

A facility has been set up for licensees to have their records stored at the Commission’s premises.  Please contact Ms Robyn Power from the Northern Territory Licensing Commission on ph: (08) 8999 1826 or robyn.power@nt.gov.au for more information on this service.

The federal Department of Families, Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs is also developing privacy guidelines for collecting and storing customer information.  These guidelines will be available on the Department’s website, for you to download. A notice will be sent to you when the guidelines are ready.