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What Types of Activities Require a Licence, Registration or Permit?
The following list is a range of licenses, permits, registrations and authorisations that may be required when running a public event. Visiting traders must also apply for a licence for the specific dates and location of their intended activities. Traders in this field should be aware that they do not necessarily have to accept moneys to be considered to be trading.
Food If you are organising an event that will involve the provision of food for sale, you must comply with certain requirements under the Food Act 2001 and the Environment Protection Act 1997 .
The Health Protection Service of the A.C.T. Government Health Directorate suggests that you:
inform all food vendors that they are required to satisfy the provisions of the Food Act concerning notification/registration of food businesses; and,
ensure that food vendors have relevant documentation from the Health Protection Service that indicates notification of the business at the event or that the business has a current Food Business Registration.
The Health Protection Service can be contacted on 6205 1700.
The Environment and Sustainable Development Authority can be contacted on 13 22 81.
Alcohol To sell alcohol you must obtain a Liquor Permit from the A.C.T. Office of Regulatory Services. Contact Business and Industry Licensing on 6207 3000 for advice about obtaining a permit . The availability of alcohol at an event introduces a range of risk management issues that must be addressed by the organiser.
There are two types of liquor permits for events, Non-commercial Permit and Commercial Permit.
For a special event permit, you should apply for the permit at least 30 days prior to the event start date. When applying for the permit, you must have written permission from the owner or manager of the property where the event is being held. For example, if the event is being held at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), you will need a letter from them stating that they give the event permission to sell alcohol on the EPIC grounds.
The Office of Regulatory Services can provide details of the current fees for a Liquor Permit.
To be eligible for a liquor permit you will need to demonstrate that alcohol will be served responsibly at your event. Some issues you should consider are:
the display of “responsible service of alcohol” signs;
provision of clear signage showing where alcohol can and cannot be served;
provision of free drinking water;
plans to ensure neighbours are not disturbed by the event;
a completed Risk Assessment Management Plan (RAMP) may be required;
provision of safe transport for people leaving the event;
responsible service of alcohol is mandatory in the A.C.T.;
management of intoxicated people; and,
police checks may be required.
Please note: This is not a comprehensive list of issues that may affect the selling of alcohol at your event, please contact Business and Industry Licensing at the Office of Regulatory Services on (02) 6207 3000.
Smoking As of 9 December 2010 it is against the law to smoke in outdoor eating and drinking places in the A.C.T. under the Smoke-Free Public Places Act 2003 . This means that smoking is prohibited in any outdoor public place that provides table and chairs for the consumption of food or drinks from the site e.g. outdoor café tables.
Outdoor eating and drinking places must have ‘No Smoking’ signs prominently displayed. Tables and chairs that belong to the outdoor eating and drinking place must also be clearly identified by a plan displayed at the place, or markings on the tables and chairs.
Plastic Bags On 1 November 2011, new legislation surrounding the banning of plastic bags came into effect. Under the Plastic Shopping Bag Ban Act 2010 (the Act), plastic bags that are made in whole, or in part, of polyethylene with the thickness of less than 35 microns are banned. These are generally the type of plastic bags supplied through supermarkets, grocery stores and take-away food outlets.
There are a number of exceptions that the plastic bag ban does not cover:
bags that are used by retailers for their own purposes and not for supply to consumers;
plastic bags that are an integral part of the packaging in which goods are sealed prior to sale;
barrier bags (tear-off-the-roll bags such as those used for fruit and vegetable purchases);
plastic bags purchased in packs from retailers for a specific use such as garbage bags or freezer bags; and,
plastic bags thicker than 35 microns generally found at boutiques or certain department stores as they are considered more durable and reusable.
The ban does not affect paper bags, cloth bags or biodegradable bags that meet AS 4736-2006. Generally bags that state that they are either degradable or not biodegradable, are not exempt under the ban.
Fireworks and Pyrotechnics etc It is illegal to operate fireworks in the A.C.T. without a permit from the Office of Regulatory Services, WorkSafe A.C.T. The application for a permit must be submitted to WorkSafe A.C.T. at least 28 days prior to a planned display.
If fireworks are planned for your event, you are required to have written permission from the venue manager or land owner where the display will take place. You are also required to advise any neighbours who may be affected by the display.
For more information, and to download the relevant permit application forms, refer the WorkSafe A.C.T. website.
During the prescribed Fire Season you will be required to hold a Fire Permit for the use of Fireworks.
Fire Permits are available from A.C.T. Rural Fire Service, contact phone 6207 8609, and A.C.T. Fire and Rescue, contact phone 6205 2927.
Fire Permits do not allow use of fires or fireworks during period of Total Fire Ban.
Exemptions for the above may be granted by the ESA Commissioner under exceptional circumstances.
Fundraising If you will be raising money at your event your organisation may need to be authorised by the A.C.T. Gambling and Racing Commission. Event organisers also have responsibilities in respect of volunteers.
Fundraising can include requesting donations or sponsorship, running lotteries and competitions and supplying food or other goods and services (e.g. at a fete).
This is not a complete list of activities that constitute fundraising. For more information see the A.C.T. Gambling and Racing Commission website.
The Lotteries Act 1964 provides for a wide range of lottery-type activities such as trade promotion lotteries, raffles, silver circles and housie. Generally, a permit is required to conduct these lottery activities. Fees are applicable and a period of 7 working days must be allowed for processing the application.
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