Canberra nights get even brighter

The ACT Government has introduced reforms to improve Canberra’s night-time economy. The changes will help create a more vibrant artistic and cultural scene.

These reforms aim to help local licensed businesses to play a more active role in the city’s nightlife.

Changes that began on 2 July 2024 include:

• Supporting new businesses to begin trade as soon as possible. New businesses can now trade under an interim liquor license. This is possible where there is a delay on issuing the license because of the suitability of the premises. However, the Commissioner must be satisfied that the premises can still safely offer alcohol.
• Supporting businesses to showcase Canberra’s artistic and cultural expression. License fees have been reduced by 80 per cent for some venues. This includes those with an occupancy of 150 people or less that showcase artists, musicians and other cultural activities.
• Extending business trading hours to celebrate one-off special events. Where the Head of Access Canberra declares a special event, businesses will have greater flexibility. They will be able to extend their trading hours and celebrate events such as sports finals or holiday celebrations.
• Providing 10 free authorisations for businesses to temporarily extend their trading hours and/or amend their floor plans. This will save liquor licensees time and money when temporarily extending their trading hours and/or changing the floor plan of a licensed premises. They will not have to move to a higher annual fee category or pay an application fee to get an authorisation. This amendment will allow for 10 authorisations in any 12-month period – an increase on the current 6.

These changes follow the reforms that commenced from 1 January 2024, including:

• allowing smaller licensed restaurants and cafés to trade until 2am
• reducing liquor licensing fees for smaller restaurants, cafés, bars and general licences
• removing the need for general licensed businesses to have separate areas for the sale of liquor for on-premises and off-premises consumption.

Herbert’s, a small eatery serving local beers and wines in Evatt are excited by the changes. They say they have come just in time for summer.

“This is an absolute game changer for small local venues like ours,” co-owners Kirstin and Dino Martiniello said.

“At Herbert’s we proudly host local artists and musicians. We are so pleased that venues like ours are recognised and encouraged to continue this through meaningful and tangible support like fee reductions.”

The ACT Government is committed to engaging with businesses and the community on noise settings for the City Centre Entertainment Precinct.

It plans to review how noise complaints are managed. Consultation on this will start soon.

Access Canberra’s Event Coordination and Business Assist Team is available to help businesses understand opportunities and flexibility under ACT legislation. The Team can give tailored support for individual business needs. Find out more about the Team.