Qualifying clubs are entitled to certain benefits which include:
- The authority to supply alcohol to members and sell it to guests without the need for any member or employee to hold a personal licence
- The absence of a requirement to specify a designated premises supervisor
- More limited rights of entry for the police and authorised persons because the premises are considered private and not generally open to the public.
The certificate authorises qualifying clubs to use club premises for qualifying club activities which are:
- The supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to a member for consumption on the premises
- The sale by retail of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to a guest of a member for consumption on the premises
- The provision of regulated entertainment by or on behalf of a club for its members and guests
The new certificate is of unlimited duration but there will be an annual inspection fee. We do not yet know what the fee is for the certificate or for the inspection as these are to be set by the Government. As soon as we know we will pass on the information.
The Act defines a ‘qualifying club’ as:
- Having an interval of at least two days between a member’s nomination / application for membership and their admission
- Having at least 25 members
- Being established and conducted ‘in good faith’.
In deciding whether a club is conducted ‘in good faith’ the following matters are taken into account:
- Any arrangements restricting the club’s freedom of purchase of alcohol
- Any arrangements where any financial gain arising from the carrying on of the club does not benefit the club as a whole or is not for charitable, benevolent or political purposes
- The arrangements for giving members information about the finances of the club and the accuracy of financial information kept
- The nature of the premises occupied by the club.
