Rules and authorities for adult entertainment

If you have a public bar authority, you can also apply for an adult entertainment authority.

An adult entertainment authority allows your licensed premises to have partially or fully nude performers as entertainers for your customers.

Adult-themed entertainment authorities

There are 3 adult themed authorities you can apply for.

General adult entertainment authority

A standard adult entrainment authority allows your staff to work topless or in lingerie.

They are not allowed to, whether by accident or on purpose expose their:

• anus
• vulva
• vagina
• penis
• scrotum.

Adult entertainment R-rated authority

This authority allows you to host:

• general strip shows
• R-rated entertainment
• full nudity.

Adult entertainment explicit authority

This authority allows you to host:

• general and private strip shows
• R-rated entertainment
• full nude staff or entertainers
• non-sexual contact between entertainers and customers
• voluntary audience participation.

Signage and advertising requirements

For strips shows and R-rated entertainment you must display signs with 2 cm high letters at all entrances.

Signs are to include:

• the performance is R-rated
• under 18 years will not be permitted
• it may offend.

Signs must remain in place until the performance is finished.

If you are advertising the show, your advertisement must include:

• under 18 years will not be permitted
• the show may offend.

Hosting R-rated performances

If your authority allows for performances, a responsible manager and security guards must be present to supervise and enforce the rules.

This includes rules to ensure:

• the audience are kept 1 m from the performance area
• the performance is only seen by the intended audience and not by anyone else
• people under 18 years do not enter before, during or after the performance.

You must also follow the conditions of your video surveillance plan.

Interactions and physical contact

There are rules on the sorts of interactions and contact entertainers and customers can have with each other.

For general adult entertainment and R-rated authorities

Performers are not allowed to engage in any physical contact, whether deliberate or by accident with customers or other performers.

You must also make sure performers:

• do not solicit performances by audience members
• do not offer alcohol to entice a member of the public to perform
• do not solicit prostitution.

For adult entertainment explicit authorities

Customers can have physical contact with a performer if operating under an explicit adult entertainment authority and:

• the performer invites the contact as part of the performance
• the invitation is not coercive, lewd or explicit
• the contact is voluntary, brief and done in good humour
• no explicit sexual act is performed or encouraged by the performer or patron.

Apply for an authority

You must have or be applying for a public bar authority in addition to an adult entertainment authority.

Follow the process for applying for a new liquor licence.