Alcohol in Communities

The Liquor Act 2019 includes a number of ways in which alcohol can be controlled in different places in the Northern Territory (NT).

Interim alcohol protected areas, community alcohol plans and general restricted areas

To learn more about the changes to alcohol restrictions in NT communities, go to the Northern Territory Government website.

Alcohol Action Initiatives

The Alcohol Action Initiatives program provides short term funding to support community action to minimise the harm caused by the consumption of alcohol through demand and harm reduction strategies.

Funding is available to communities that have participated in alcohol harm minimisation planning processes.

To read more about Alcohol Action Initiatives, go to the NT Health website.

For more information, email NT Health at aaisystems.doh@nt.gov.au.

Apply for an individual liquor permit application

You must hold a liquor permit to buy and drink takeaway alcohol in any general restricted area in the NT.

You can apply for a liquor permit if you are any of the following:

You need to check with your local licensing sergeant at the police station, or at your local Territory Business Centre to find out if you are going to require a permit.

Find more information about liquor permits on the Northern Territory Government website.

For more information, email Licensing NT at ditt.licensingnt@nt.gov.au.

Alcohol and drug rehab services

Find information on alcohol and drug rehab services in the NT on the Northern Territory Government website.

For more information, email NT Health’s Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch at mhaod.doh@nt.gov.au.

Banned Drinker Register

The Banned Drinker Register (BDR) continues to operate across the NT as a harm reduction tool. If you are on the BDR, you are not allowed to purchase, possess or consume alcohol in the NT for the duration of your ban. This includes takeaway alcohol.

All Territorians and visitors to the NT wanting to buy takeaway alcohol need to show an approved form of photo identification at the point of purchase.

Find more information on the Banned Drinker Register.

For more information, contact the BDR office between 8am and 4:20pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays:

BDR scanner technical helpdesk

For licensed premises with or seeking BDR scanners:

Additional resources