Guideline 11: Under-age events and all ages events

Liquor Act 1992 - Section 155

Under-age events

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) in consultation with the Commission for Children and Young People, the Child Guardian and the Queensland Police Service applies strict requirements to the consideration of 'under-age' and 'all ages' events on premises subject to a licence or permit. OLGR acknowledges the demand for alternative entertainment options for the youth market however this must be balanced by appropriate measures to address child safety in and around licensed premises.

Consideration of these applications will have regard to local police comments, the compliance history of the premises and will require a detailed submission by applicants demonstrating compliance with conditions detailed below prior to approval. Submissions should describe the 'purpose' of the event and demonstrate that alternative venues in the locality (e.g. unlicensed venues, community halls, etc.) have been considered and are unsuitable or unavailable.

This guideline applies to all 'under-age' and 'all ages' events on premises subject to a licence or permit where:

  • the event or occasion is publicly advertised; or
  • the event is open to the public or casual attendance; or
  • admission to the event involves paying a fee for admission, or for entertainment or services provided at the event.

All ages events

High levels of scrutiny will be applied to 'all ages' events on licensed premises. Licensees should be conscious of the problems that may occur if they conduct functions that cater for patrons both under and over 18. Whilst it is recognised that a total restriction on attendance to those patrons under 18 may be impractical, licensees and organisers should be mindful of upper age limits for functions primarily held for minors. It is considered best practice to ensure only adults attending in company with a minor (e.g. family and friends) are permitted entry and entry for unaccompanied adults be restricted.

Conditions on approved events

The Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming may consider amending some of the requirements detailed below for major events (e.g. Big Day Out), school-based events (e.g. formals), community-based events (e.g. blue light discos) or for major sports, convention or entertainment facilities, or for genuine one-off events at the Commissioner's discretion.

An application fee for a temporary variation of licence is to apply to all applications for under-age events. Any minor detected on licensed premises at unapproved 'under-age' or 'all ages' events is likely to be a non-exempt minor. Licensees, management and staff may be liable for prosecution for permitting non-exempt minors on licensed premises regardless of whether or not liquor is consumed.

Applications must be lodged a minimum of 21 days prior to the event to be considered.

If permission is granted under Section 155(4)(e) of the Liquor Act 1992, the approval will be subject to the following conditions:

  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure crowd controllers licensed under the Security Providers Act 1993 are employed in the following ratios at all times during the under-age event:
    • 1 to 200 patrons or part thereof - 2 crowd controllers
    • More than 200 patrons but not more than 300 patrons - 3 crowd controllers
    • More than 300 patrons but not more than 400 patrons - 4 crowd controllers
    • More than 400 patrons but not more than 500 patrons - 5 crowd controllers
    • Plus at least 1 crowd controller for every 250 patrons (or part) thereafter.
  • The licensee must develop and implement a risk management strategy to promote the wellbeing of children and protect them from harm as required under the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000.
  • Unless otherwise exempt, each of the following persons involved in the conduct of the under-age event must be a current holder of a blue card issued under the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000:
    • all directors and executive officers of the licensee company
    • the permittee
    • the approved manager
    • all paid employees and management of the licensee, event promoter or other service providers (e.g. crowd controllers) whether employed directly or indirectly by the licensee or permittee; and
    • all volunteers involved in the promotion or conduct of the under-age event.
  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure all liquor is removed from the under-age event area.
  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure all cigarette machines are removed from the under-age event area.
  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure a phone is available for use by an attending minor upon request.
  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure direct paging facilities are available to enable messages to be broadcast to patrons.
  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure no liquor is sold, supplied or consumed in the under-age event area.
  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure access to the under-age event area is not available from any area where liquor is being sold, supplied or consumed.
  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure pass outs are not available unless minors are supervised by the current holder of a blue card issued under the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act.
  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure the event concludes no later than 12 midnight for all ages events and 10pm for under-age events, and does not conclude prior to its approved finishing time.
  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure a 1 hour interval is enforced between the conclusion of the under-age function and the resumption of normal trading in the under-age event area.

If, in the opinion of the Commissioner, the event poses a significant risk, the following conditions may be considered for endorsement on the permit:

  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure a minimum of 2 special duties or rostered police officers are organised to be on duty at the premises for the duration of the under-age event.
  • A minimum of 1 crowd controller licensed under the Security Providers Act is to be on duty at each entry/exit to the under-age event area for the duration of the event.
  • A minimum of 1 crowd controller licensed under the Security Providers Act must maintain surveillance outside the under-age area for a period of 1 hour after the event concludes or until all patrons have vacated the vicinity of the premises.
  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure closed-circuit television equipment is operating and recording all patrons entering and leaving via each entrance and exit of the licensed premises that provides access for patrons of the premises at all times during the under-age event and for 1 hour after all patrons have left the premises.
  • The licensee, approved manager and person in control of the premises must ensure closed-circuit television recordings required by the conditions of this approval are kept in a secure place for a minimum period of 28 days and must be produced immediately on request by an investigator or police officer.

Re-issued 18 November 2013
(First issued 14 August 1992; re-issued 30 July 1993; re-issued 12 February 1995; re-issued 11 November 1997; re-issued 27 August 1998; re-issued 2 May 2000; re-issued 1 November 2006; re-issued 22 May 2009; re-issued 24 January 2013)

Also consider...

  • Last reviewed: 27 Jun 2018
  • Last updated: 28 Jun 2018