Changes to alcohol restrictions in NT communities

In 2023, a new interim alcohol protected area (APA) opt-out model came into effect.

The changes were informed by the Office of the Central Australia Regional Controller’s first report to the Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments. The report recommended urgent amendments to the Liquor Act 2019.

What the law does

The Liquor Act 2019 includes ways in which alcohol can be controlled in different places in the NT. It amends the interim APAs (dry areas) to effectively change it from an opt-in to an opt-out model.

It is now in place and applies to the whole of the NT. This will not be a permanent change to the Act. These restrictions are time-limited and set to repeal on 28 February 2027.

The new opt-out model

The opt-out model applies to all NT communities previously subject to alcohol restrictions under the Commonwealth’s Stronger Futures legislation.

To find out more, read the guide on interim alcohol protected areas for communities PDF (1.7 MB).

Get the list of interim APA communities.

Communities in an interim APA PDF (145.2 KB)
Communities in an interim APA XLSX (42.3 KB)

The model means that all communities will be dry, and it will be against the law to bring in, possess, consume, sell or supply alcohol in these areas.

Communities that were already an interim APA under the old model are automatically covered by the new opt-out model. They will remain dry and will not need to do anything.

For more information about interim APA communities, including maps and boundary areas, go to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade website.

Communities that are a general restricted area are also not affected and don't need to do anything.

Get the list of general restricted areas.

General restricted areas PDF (234.7 KB)
General restricted areas DOCX (73.2 KB)

Get the list of communities in general restricted areas.

Communities in a general restricted area PDF (157.3 KB)
Communities in a general restricted area XLSX (44.2 KB)

How to opt out

A community can decide how it wants alcohol to be sold and consumed in the community.

This can involve:

  • agreeing on specific days and hours of trade
  • types of alcohol sold
  • locations for selling alcohol
  • using a permit system.

A community can also decide to have no restrictions.

If you want to allow alcohol back in your community, you need to opt out of the model and stop being an interim APA.

There are 2 ways a community can stop being an interim APA:

  • by having your interim APA status revoked by the Director of Liquor Licensing or
  • by applying to become a general restricted area (GRA) by the Liquor Commission.

To get your interim APA status revoked, follow these steps:

Step 1. Develop a community alcohol plan

The updated Liquor Regulations 2019 provide guidance on community alcohol plan requirements. This includes how communities can show support for the plans.

The plan must:

  • be in writing
  • have the support of at least 60% of adults who live in the community
  • include the signed consent of the registered land owner
  • comply with the Act and regulations
  • state how long it will be in effect for
  • include any other details set out in the regulations.

Get a copy of the community alcohol plan template DOCX (118.0 KB).

For more information or support, email clahru.health@nt.gov.au.

Step  2. Fill in the form

Fill in the application to revoke an interim alcohol protection area DOCX (66.3 KB).

Step 3. Attach supporting documents

You must provide all of the following with your application:

  • detailed description of the area to be declared including a copy of the title or lease
  • map of the area showing boundaries
  • a copy of the community alcohol plan
  • evidence that the plan is supported by at least 60% of adults living in the area
    • you can ask the NT Electoral Commission to do a ballot of the community.

Step 4. Submit your application

Email your application and supporting documents to InterimAPA.Enquiries@nt.gov.au.

After you apply

The director will review your application and decide whether to revoke the interim APA status.

They will consult with NT Police, NT Health, healthcare providers and any other relevant stakeholders.

If approved, the director will provide a notice of this decision and publish it on the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade website. You can then legally allow alcohol back in your community.

If you decide later on to operate a community club and want to sell or supply alcohol, you must apply for a liquor licence.

As a general restricted area (GRA), you can:

  • choose to ban alcohol completely in your community
  • allow alcohol in your community under certain conditions.

Total alcohol ban

If you decide to completely ban alcohol and want to remain a dry community after liquor restrictions expire in 2027, your community will be protected as a GRA.

Allow alcohol under certain conditions

You may decide to allow alcohol in your community but only under certain conditions. For example, limit the types and amounts of alcohol you are allowed to drink.

If you want to do this, you must apply for a liquor permit.

A liquor permit lets you bring in, possess, drink, sell or supply alcohol in the community.

Read more about liquor permits.

How to apply

To apply to become a GRA, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the GRA application DOCX (66.2 KB).

You must include:

  • a detailed explanation of the restriction being proposed
  • a detailed description of the proposed GRA
  • reasons for the proposed restriction.

Step 2. Email the form to InterimAPA.Enquiries@nt.gov.au.

Applications can take up to 12 months to be processed.

After you apply

The Director of Liquor Licensing will:

  • notify residents, licensees and any local councils of the restrictions
  • consult on the proposed restrictions with residents and councils
  • provide a report to the Liquor Commission on submissions received from the consultation.

The Liquor Commission will review the report and decide whether to declare the community a GRA.

If approved, a notice of the decision will be published on the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet website.

Alcohol management plans

If your community previously developed an alcohol management plan under the Stronger Futures legislation, you can request a copy by emailing alcoholpolicy@nt.gov.au.

Get the list of communities with AMPs:

AMPs PDF (85.7 KB)
AMPs XLSX (39.4 KB)

More information

To find out more about interim APAs and GRAs, read the fact sheets:

Interim APA fact sheet PDF (175.7 KB)
GRA fact sheet PDF (152.6 KB)

Policy

For information about alcohol policy and regulations in the NT, go to:

Language and contact information

You can also listen in the following languages.

If you would like more information to help your community decide what to do, contact your nearest local regional office.

Barkly

Phone: 08 8962 4503
Email: barkly.cmc@nt.gov.au

Big Rivers

Phone: 08 8973 8588
Email: cmc.bigrivers@nt.gov.au

Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield

Phone: 08 8999 3425
Email: cmc.dplexec@nt.gov.au

East Arnhem

Phone: 08 8987 0536
Email: eastarnhem.cmc@nt.gov.au

Top End

Phone: 08 8999 5430
Email: cmc.topend@nt.gov.au

Central Australia

Phone: 08 8951 5781
Email: asp.cmc@nt.gov.au

Support

For drug and alcohol services in the NT, call 08 8999 1800 or email mhaod.health@nt.gov.au

Other contacts

Licensing NT

Phone: 08 8999 1800
Email: ditt.licensingnt@nt.gov.au

Liquor Commission NT

Phone: 08 8999 1800
Email: liquor.commission@nt.gov.au

Banned Drinker Register

Phone: 1800 237 226
Email: bdr.health@nt.gov.au

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