Introduction
The Northern Territory's alcohol photo ID system identifies people in Katherine and Alice Springs who are not allowed to buy takeaway alcohol. It targets problem drinkers identified by the courts.
This section has information for businesses about:
- who needs an alcohol photo ID system
- how to get an alcohol photo ID system
- how to use an alcohol photo ID system
- what to do if your alcohol photo ID system is not working.
Read about showing ID when you buy takeaway alcohol.
Who needs an alcohol photo ID system
You need a photo ID system to sell restricted takeaway alcohol at licensed premises in Alice Springs and Katherine.
Restricted takeaway alcohol items include cask wine and fortified wine.
Clubs and alcohol photo ID
If you operate a licensed club in Alice Springs, you need an electronic photo ID system to sell restricted alcohol items.
Get an alcohol photo ID system
Alcohol photo ID systems are supplied and maintained by the Northern Territory Government.
To get a photo ID system, contact Licensing NT.
How to use an alcohol photo ID system
To use the alcohol photo ID system follow these steps:
Step 1. Scan the customer's ID. Find out more about approved identification cards.
Step 2. Process the sale using your cash register system. The ID system is not linked to your cash register.
Bottle shops and alcohol photo ID checks
You can accept photo ID from a person in a vehicle after checking that the identification matches the person. A person does not need to get out of the car for you to scan their ID.
If the photo ID system is not working
If the scanner can't read the photo ID
Enter the photo ID details manually using the touch screen. Complete the photo ID check as normal.
If the photo ID system is down
If the photo ID system is not working you can sell takeaway alcohol to any sober adult. You will not be fined if you sell alcohol to people with prohibition notices under these conditions.
Lost or expired alcohol photo ID
You can only accept approved photo ID, even if you know the person. You will break the law and your licence conditions if you accept non-approved identification.
Photo ID must be current. You can accept expired ID as long as it is obvious from the photo that it is the same person.