COVID-19 QLD: Business – Support and Relief for Liquor and Gaming Licensees

This program aims to provide support and relief for liquor and gaming licensees affected by coronavirus (COVID-19). It forms part of the Queensland Government's $27.25 million Immediate Industry Recovery Package which has been established to provide immediate assistance to help Queensland manage the impacts of the COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Support includes waiving 2020-21 liquor licensing fees for current licensees as at 30 June 2020, payroll tax relief, funds for re-training and job-matching, and providing a $500 rebate on electricity bills.

Licensees are not eligible for a pro-rata refund of their 2019-20 liquor licence fees. Those with new licensees in 2020-21 will be required to pay their annual licence fee on a pro-rata basis for the relevant licence type and risk criteria (if applicable).

This means if they become licensed in November 2020, they will not be charged fees for the remainder of November, but will be liable for fees for each full month remaining in the financial year – in this case, 7/12 of the relevant fees. But when applying for the extended trading hours approval they do not have to pay this fee for 2020-21 if they were licensed at 30 June 2020 and still hold the same liquor licence. If they held a liquor or wine licence on 30 June 2020, they will not receive an annual fee notice in 2020-21.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice announced $50 million extra tax relief for Queensland pubs and clubs who are affected by the new measures introduced in response to the COVID-19 health emergency. This announcement includes the deferral of March 2020 gaming taxes and health services levies, which has been extended from July 2020 to February 2021.

Licensees will be required to pay their deferred March 2020 gaming machine tax in three equal instalments. The instalments represent a third of the value of the deferred taxes and will be collected automatically from nominated bank accounts on 10 February, 12 April and 10 June 2021.

Licensees have the option to pay their deferred gaming machine taxes in one lump sum in February 2021, but will need to notify the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation by 30 November 2020 of their intention to do so.

Please refer to the website for more information.

Eligible applicants include liquor and gaming licensees in Queensland.