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Report liquor licence breaches

All Northern Territory (NT) liquor licensees must comply with the Liquor Act 2019 and their licensing conditions.

When you can make a complaint

The following are examples of situations where you may decide to submit a complaint:

  • the licensed premises is generated an unreasonable level of noise that disturbs the neighbourhood
  • you witness minors being served or consuming alcohol on a licensed premise
  • intoxicated patrons continue to be served liquor by staff
  • premises staff do not remove individuals that are intoxicated and causing a disturbance
  • you witness discrimination by premises staff.

Considerations for noise complaints

The below considerations aim to ensure that only genuine and substantiated complaints are escalated for formal investigation.

  • Order of occupancy – consider whether the licensed premises or the complainant occupied the area first. This helps balance the rights of long-standing venues against newer developments or residents.
  • Requirement of 3 complaints required to trigger a formal investigation – a minimum of 3 separate complaints is now required before a formal investigation is initiated. This ensures that enforcement resources are focused on persistent or widespread issues.
  • One complaint per residence – to maintain fairness, only one complaint per household or family group will be counted toward the above consideration.
  • Intensification of use of the premises – changes in the nature or scale of activities at a venue will be considered when assessing the legitimacy of complaints.
  • Sound testing – a distinction will be made between the noise level at the venue and the level experienced at the site of the complaint, ensuring evidence-based assessments.
  • Positive actions taken by the complainant to resolve the issue with the licensee – complainants will be expected to demonstrate that they have taken reasonable steps to resolve the matter directly with the licensee before escalating the issue.

Complaints not handled by Licensing NT

Licensing NT doesn’t handle complaints about unsatisfactory products or services, unless it relates to adulterated liquor.

You should first try resolving the issue with the licensee and if unsuccessful, call NT Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319 or go to the Consumer Affairs website.

Criminal activity is also outside of our authority within the Liquor Act 2019, call NT Police on 131 444.

For information about other complaints, go to the Ombudsman NT website.

Find information on the Banned Drinker Register (BDR).

How to make a complaint

Before making a complaint with Licensing NT, try contacting the licensee to resolve the issue.

If you can’t resolve the complaint, are unable to contact them or feel uncomfortable approaching them, you can submit a complaint.

To submit a complaint, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the incident form.

If you choose to be anonymous, you will not be contacted about the progress or outcome of your complaint.

Incident form PDF (157.9 KB)
Incident form DOCX (65.4 KB)

Step 2. Submit the form by email, mail or in person.

By email or mail

Licensing NT
GPO Box 1154
Darwin NT 0801
LiquorCompliance@nt.gov.au

In person

Go to your nearest Licensing NT office or a Territory Business Centre.

For more information, contact Licensing NT.

After you make a complaint

The director of liquor licensing will contact you in writing.

If your complaint is accepted

If your complaint is accepted, Licensing NT will investigate it.

They will notify the licensee and give them an opportunity to respond in writing.

The investigation will take up to 90 days from the date that it is accepted. However, this can be extended if the Liquor Commission approves.

After the investigation is completed

After the investigation is finished, the director of liquor licensing will decide to do one or more things:

  • take no further action, if there are no grounds or evidence to justify taking further action
  • give the licensee a formal warning
  • mediate the complaint
  • enter an enforceable undertaking
  • issue the licensee with an infringement notice.
  • refer your complaint to the Liquor Commission for disciplinary action.

The director will give you, the licensee and the Liquor Commission written notice of their decision.

If the director refers your complaint to the Liquor Commission, it may hold a hearing to make a decision about the complaint.

Hearings are usually open to the public, unless the commission decides that a public hearing is not appropriate.

More information

For a list of licensees and liquor licences in the NT, go to the online public register.

For information about complaint decisions made by the: