Host responsibility

Host responsibility is the term given to the strategies that ensure you operate your premises in a responsible manner making it a safe drinking environment.

What does host responsibility include?

The Sale of Liquor Act 1989 states that it is an offence to:

• Sell or supply liquor to intoxicated persons
• Allow any person to become intoxicated on licensed premises
• Allow drunkenness or disorderly behaviour on licensed premises
• Any licensee, manager or server of alcohol has a legal obligation to refuse to supply alcohol to an intoxicated person, to allow a person to become intoxicated on licensed premises or to allow an intoxicated person to remain on the premises.

The principles of host responsibility include:

• The provision and promotion of food, non and low alcohol drinks
• Serving alcohol with care and responsibility
• Responsible approaches to dealing with intoxicated and underage people
• The arrangement of safe transport options

The criteria for your premises licence requires compliance with all of these. There should be a host responsibility policy prominently displayed in your premises.

An example of a host responsibility policy

Host responsibility makes sure that everyone has a good time, and leaves in safe shape for the road home.  It could save our licence, and it could save your life.

The management of these premises believes that they have a responsibility to provide an environment that is not only comfortable and welcoming but also where alcohol is served responsibly. Because of this the following host responsibility policy has been implemented:

• We will make sure our staff and management are looking after you by offering food and alternative drinks, as well as alcohol.
• We will promote transport options to get you safely home.
• We will encourage more people to have a lifesaver (designated driver). We will make the lifesavers job more attractive by providing an interesting range of low-alcohol and alcohol-free drinks.
• We will make sure all these services are well promoted - you won't have to go looking for them. We will have signs on display outlining what we provide as responsible hosts.
• It's against the law to serve someone who is intoxicated. We will maintain a training and management policy to give our staff the skills and support they need to do their job responsibly.