Intro
Effective date: 30 November 2010Last amended: 23 February 2021Next review: 19 October 2023
Section 100 of the Liquor Control Act 1988 (the Act) requires that an approved manager must, unless the Director of Liquor Licensing determines otherwise, be present at the licensed premises at any time that the business is conducted at those premises.
Well managed premises and the responsible service of alcohol are seen as important tools in providing consumers with safe and responsible venues that are committed to implementing harm-minimisation strategies. In this context, the provisions of section 100 require that there is always a person in a position of authority at the premises who is capable of managing and supervising the conduct of business and exercising authority over the activities that occur at the premises.
This policy provides guidance in respect of the provisions of the Act relating to approved managers.
This policy is designed to provide information in regard to the subject matter covered, and with the understanding that the Director of Liquor Licensing is not passing legal opinion or interpretation or other professional advice. The information is provided on the understanding that all persons undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its contents.
Section 100(1) of the Act states that the conduct of the business under a licence is always the responsibility of the licensee.
Section 100(2) of the Act states that where the licensee is an individual person, that person may also manage the premises and assume the role of approved manager. However, where the licensee is a company or a partnership, the licensee must then appoint an individual person to supervise and manage the premises. Where the licensee appoints a person to be the approved manager, that person then represents the licensee and therefore also carries responsibility in respect of the obligations under the Act.
Section 100(2a) of the Act provides that an approved manager must be present at the licensed premises at any time when business is conducted at those premises.
Where an approved manager is absent for any reason (for example illness; other unplanned absences; holidays, etc), under section 100(3) the licensee or an approved manager may appoint another person to act as a temporary manager for a period up to 7 consecutive days. The person appointed as a temporary manager cannot be someone who has been found not fit and proper by the licensing authority and cannot act as a temporary manager for more than 7 days in any 28 day period.
Section 102B of the Act states that the Director may approve a person as an Approved Restricted Manager or an Approved Unrestricted Manager for a period of 5 years. The type of approval will depend on the level of training that an individual has undertaken.
The two approval types are:
Required for managers at commercial licence types such as taverns, liquor stores, special facility licences etc.
An applicant for an unrestricted manager approval must successfully complete one of the following versions of the Course in Management of Licensed Premises:
An Unrestricted Manager Approval entitles the manager to be employed at any licensed premises in Western Australia unless the Director otherwise determines.
Required for managers at club, club restricted and occasional licences.
An applicant for a restricted manager approval must have successfully completed the nationally accredited Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol course or the Clubs WA Responsible Service of Alcohol — Club Industry Training Course to obtain this approval.
If a Restricted Manager subsequently completes the compulsory unit in the Course in Management of Licensed Premises they may apply to upgrade to an Unrestricted Manager Approval.
A Restricted Manager Approval entitles the manager to be employed at club and club restricted licence premises or at events authorised by an Occasional licence unless the Director otherwise determines.
Applications for Restricted or Unrestricted Manager Approvals must be accompanied by evidence that the applicant has successfully completed the relevant training as specified above.
For further information on mandatory training requirements, please refer to the Director’s Mandatory Training policy.
The list below shows the relevant category of manager’s approval which is required for each licence type:
A lodgement guide is available on the department's website.
Applications for approval as either a Restricted Manager or an Unrestricted Manager must be lodged online.
Applications are required to be lodged by the manager — not the licensee.
Applicants will be required to lodge with their application a National Police Certificate within three months of issue and the relevant training certificate.
Applicants must then attend a participating Australia Post outlet to pay the application fee and have a photograph taken to enable an identification card to be issued.
Once applicants have been issued with a Manager’s approval, they will be issued with photographic identification and will be able to work at the relevant class of licensed premises without applying to the licensing authority.
Managers will be responsible for renewing their approval every 5 years.
If a licensee fails to comply with the requirements of the Act in relation to section 100, the licensing authority may decide to: