Liquor regulatory reform

LGIRS is progressing reforms to make it easier to do business in WA while still minimising alcohol-related harm or ill-health.

Reforms already completed include:

• major changes to the Director of Liquor Licensing’s policies reducing them from 54 policies to 14 policies
• the first stage of amendments to liquor legislation successfully passing through Parliament

Reforms still underway include:

• the next stage of amendments to liquor legislation with a consultation paper released to key stakeholders in August 2025
• updates and improvements to the liquor licensing and compliance system. Procurement is nearly complete for a new licensing and compliance system to meet future State needs. It’s expected to be operational by early 2027.
  

LGIRS will continue liaising with key stakeholders as these changes are progressed.

If you wish to receive updates on these legislative reforms, please email liquorreform@lgirs.wa.gov.au

These reforms follow the introduction of significant measures to reduce alcohol-related harm, including:

• the establishment of Protected Entertainment Precincts in the Perth metropolitan area and the introduction of liquor restrictions where required to protect the community
• the roll-out of the Banned Drinkers Register trial in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, Kalgoorlie and surrounds and Carnarvon and surrounds.

Background

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (now the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulations and Safety) released the consultation paper The next chapter of WA’s liquor laws from 17 November 2022 to 31 January 2023 and almost 200 submissions were received. The paper sought feedback to:

• identify what was working well with the current regulatory framework
• identify issues the industry, government and community may have had with the framework
• explore reform ideas from our stakeholders to improve the framework.

The Department thanks all respondents for their input which continues to inform ongoing stakeholder engagement and the development and implementation of reforms.

Following the 2022-23 public consultation, and subsequent targeted consultation with working groups, it was determined that the legislative reform should be modernised and simplified and:

• Improve the licensing framework by streamlining approaches and increasing opportunities for industry
• Enhance harm minimisation, compliance and enforcement measures

Contact us

For specific queries relating to this liquor reform, please email liquorreform@dlgsc.wa.gov.au 

To be added to the distribution list for general liquor-related updates, please sign up for notifications.