The sale of alcohol in the Australian Capital Territory is governed by the Liquor Act 2010 (ACT). Section 8 of the Act provides that the provisions relating to the sale of alcohol do not apply to buildings of the University of Canberra (and the Australian National University), including student residences, on condition that the sale is authorised instead by a statute of the University. The University has such a statute and it governs both the sale and consumption of alcohol on campus, including the facilities of UCU. The statute does not cover private service providers on campus, such as Café Mizzuna, Retro Café and Sizzle Café. If they wish to sell alcohol they must have a licence issued under the Liquor Act 2010.

The sale and consumption of alcohol on campus, except for the private cafes, is governed by the University of Canberra (Liquor) Statute 2011 and associated Rules (General and UCU).

Under the statute and rules, NO alcohol can be consumed or sold on campus except with a permit. (The exception is UCU, which is goverened by its own rules under the statute) There are two types of permits:

Permit for a room:

Under section 5 of the University of Canberra Liquor (General) Rules, a permit may be issued for a room on a long term basis, specifying that alcohol may be consumed in that room. This type of permit is normally restricted to staff common rooms and some meeting rooms where alcohol may be consumed on a regular basis as part of celebratory events or meetings frequently scheduled in those spaces. Under section 11 of the University of Canberra (Liquor) Statute 2011, a permit can also be issued permitting the sale of liquor. However, these permits are issued only for an individual event, not for multiple events in a particular room.

Permit for an individual function:

Under section 6 of the University of Canberra Liquor (General) Rules, a permit may be issued to allow alcohol to be consumed at a one-off special event or meeting. Under section 11 of the University of Canberra (Liquor) Statute 2011, a permit can also be issued permitting the sale of liquor at these functions.

These conditions apply to the whole of the University.

Applying for a permit

You can complete a permit application form online. When completed send it to liquor@canberra.edu.au as an attachment. On the form you will need to indicate the date, time, venue and nature of the event and whether alcohol is going to be consumed and/or sold at the event.

Please note that there are a number of conditions relating to such events:

• Only authorised persons (ie. invited guests) may attend the function, and
• Alcohol must not be removed from the area authorised for the consumption and/or sale of the alcohol. It is not permissible to sell alcohol to be consumed elsewhere or at a different time or date.

Permits will not normally be issued for events at which persons younger than 18 years old will, or are likely to attend.

Staff wishing to apply for a room permit should contact the Liquor Administration Officer. Applications must be authorised by a Dean or Director of an administrative unit.

If your event is being catered for by UCU (ie. they are providing the alcohol), but the event is not being held in UCU, you need to apply for a permit. The rules relating to UCU apply only to the premises normally occupied by UCU.  In these cases UCU are suppliers of the alcohol, not organisers of the function. The person organising the event must apply for the permit and is responsible for ensuring any conditions relating to the permit are met. UCU may need to sight the permit before agreeing to supply alcohol.

 

 

Contact the Alcohol Administration Officer through liquor@canberra.edu.au