Australia's State Governments extend trading hours for hospitality venues during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

With Australians anticipated to fill hospitality venues to celebrate major sporting events such as the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 this summer, trading hours are being extended by state governments.

The Western Australian Government is allowing venues to open at 3am while the Victorian Government requires venues to apply for a temporary licence to serve alcohol past 1am. The NSW Government extended trading hours for venues across the State for the National Rugby League (NRL) Grand Final and has announced venues can also trade later for other upcoming major sports events including FIFA World Cup football finals and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket finals.

A new one-off liquor policy was announced in September by the Western Australian Government for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 which under the new extended trading hours policy, venues will be able to open at 3am to allow football fans to watch their favourite teams live when the FIFA World Cup kicks off between 20th November and 18th December.

WA Gaming Minister Tony Buti said the extended trading will not only support hospitality businesses and the economy, but it will also give sports fans the opportunity to enjoy the spirit of the game with friends and added “it’s great that we’ve got this new policy of instead of trading permits to allow these venues to remain open late at night and early in the morning if they’re broadcasting a World Cup game.”

NSW Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said the later trading will enable fans to watch all the action of the season decider on the big screens in venues and continue celebrating later into the night.

“Year-round trading extensions for major sports and cultural events are proving popular with patrons and supporting licensed venues as they continue to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Venues can also trade later for other upcoming major sports events including FIFA World Cup football finals and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket finals.” Minister Anderson said.

Venues in NSW already approved to trade during or beyond the extended hours can operate as usual. Hotels and clubs must still comply with any individual trading restrictions or other special conditions that apply to their licences under the Liquor Act or imposed by local councils under planning laws.

The Victorian Government is reimbursing fees for temporary liquor licence applications this November and December.

With FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 being held from 20th November to 18th December 2022, Victorian businesses are urged to get their applications in as soon as possible to allow up to six weeks for it to be processed in time for the first game.

These exciting clashes often run outside the trading hours of a venue’s usual liquor licence – which means they are required to apply for a temporary licence to serve alcohol past 1am.

Victorian venues who apply for a licence to trade later will still be subject to a strict assessment by Liquor Control Victoria, who will assess carefully any risks to community amenity and safety when deciding whether to grant a liquor licence extension.

Licensees are required to operate their venue in line with the obligations and conditions on their liquor licence, which focus on minimising harm.

This includes ensuring the responsible service of alcohol, supplying patrons with free drinking water and not allowing drunken or disorderly persons to be on the premises.

Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne notes “Victoria is the natural home of sporting events in Australia – and we’re making it easy for football lovers to come together and watch the Socceroos battle it out in the FIFA World Cup finals this year.

“We’re supporting local hospitality businesses as they continue their recovery from the pandemic, while giving Victorians more opportunities to watch home-grown heroes like Aziz Behich and Jamie Maclaren take on the world.”

The rules that apply to holders of liquor licences are varied - Victorian businesses are encouraged to head to vic.gov.au/liquor-licensing for further detail and to determine the correct licensing option for them.