Venue operators that fail to address or prevent risks to their employees or patrons could have their liquor licences suspended or revoked, under new workplace health and safety provisions being added to the NSW Liquor Act 2007.

The State Government revealed on the weekend that the sanctions will apply to duty holders that do not, for instance, proactively tackle the risk of sexual assault.

“These reforms increase the ability for us to weed out the wrong people from an industry that is reliant on young people, often women, willing to work late in settings where the danger of sexual assault increases in lockstep with poor management,” Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said.

The changes are included in the 24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2025, currently before Parliament.

The Bill forms part of a set of reforms aimed at reviving Sydney’s nightlife while making the hospitality industry safer for workers.

It adds, to the Liquor Act’s list of grounds for making a complaint that might lead to disciplinary action, a “licensee or manager [failing] to prevent or address a significant risk to the safety of employees or other persons on the licensed premises”.

The proposed legislation will also make it easier for the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority to revoke the responsible-service-of-alcohol competency cards of any workers who engage in sexual assault or other harmful behaviours.

“This will prevent people being sacked for misconduct at one venue getting rehired at another venue days later, as can be the case,” a Government statement said.

“The Authority will also have the discretion to determine if someone has failed to act in a fit and proper manner,” it said.

The development follows NSW’s June decision to mandate specialised training for hospitality workers on the prevention of sexual harassment and sexual violence, which reflects Commonwealth Respect@Work amendments (see related article).

South Australia subsequently announced a similar regime (see related article).

Back in NSW, Graham said that getting the State’s nightlife and 24-Hour economy “back on its feet after the era of lockouts and lockdowns is important, but helping to ensure the safety of the hospitality workers who enable a night out is paramount”.

State Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis warned that SafeWork NSW is recruiting more “psychosocial-focused inspectors”, and hospitality will be one of their focus areas.