Alcohol-related harm continues to be a core issue impacting the lives of Territorians.
The Northern Territory has had, and continues to have, the highest consumption of alcohol per person in Australia, and 25% of adult NT residents consume alcohol at a level that puts them at risk of long-term harm (compared to 17.6% of the Australian adults). The Northern Territory also has a greater proportion of residents who exceed the guidelines for risks of consuming alcohol on single occasions.
The Alcohol Policy Coordination Unit (ACPU) was established within the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet in August 2022 to provide a central point of coordination for alcohol policy in the Northern Territory Government.
The APCU is progressing a range of actions to reduce alcohol-related harm including:
The Northern Territory Government have implemented a suite of measures targeting the supply of and demand for alcohol in the Northern Territory. These measures work together to reduce alcohol-related harm across the Territory:
The Liquor Act 2019 (the Act) came into effect on 1 October 2019 and now governs the distribution and consumption of alcohol in the NT. The primary purpose of the Act is to minimise the harm associated with the consumption of liquor in a way that recognises the public's interest in the sale, supply, service, promotion and consumption of liquor.
Read the fact sheet regarding the Act.
In October 2023, the Northern Territory Government completed a three-year review of the Act.
The Act was reviewed to determine whether the policy objectives remain valid, and whether the terms of the legislative framework are still appropriate. The review ensured the Liquor Act is effective in recognising the public’s interest in the sale, supply, service, promotion and responsible consumption of liquor.
The review examined a wide range of information and explored views through consultation with businesses, industry groups, government and non-government organisations and the community, and determined the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and the terms largely remain appropriate for achieving those objectives.
Read the Three Year Review of the Liquor Act 2019 PDF (1.1 MB)
The risk-based licensing model is an incentive model rewarding those who supply alcohol responsibly and financially penalises those who break the rules.
Annual licensing fees are charged to liquor licensee depending on how the licensee complies with their licence conditions and the overall risk of harm.
Read more about risk-based licensing.
The Liquor Act 2019 imposed a minimum unit price for alcohol, also known as the minimum floor price. The minimum floor price was implemented on 1 October 2018 and aims to reduce alcohol among heavy drinkers by increasing the price of alcohol beverage to at least $1.30 per standard drink and thereby reducing alcohol consumption for groups that are most susceptible to alcohol-related harm.
Read more about the minimum floor price.
The Banned Drinker Register (BDR) prohibits individuals that consume alcohol at harmful levels from purchasing, possessing or consuming alcohol within the Northern Territory. This includes takeaway alcohol.
Read more about the Banned Drinker Register.
Some communities in the NT may still have alcohol restrictions on the consumption of alcohol through general restricted areas under the Liquor Act 2019. However, communities that were an alcohol protected area under the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Act 2012 (Cth) may apply to extend these restrictions through an interim alcohol protected area until 16 July 2024.
More information on general restricted areas and interim alcohol protected areas.
The alcohol action initiatives program provides short-term funding to support community action to minimise the harm caused by the consumption of alcohol through supply, demand and harm reduction strategies.
More information regarding alcohol action initiatives.