On 16 February 2023, the new interim alcohol protected area (APA) opt-out model came into effect. The changes were informed by the Office of the Central Australia Regional Controller’s first report to the Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments.

The report recommended urgent amendments to the Liquor Act. The Liquor Act includes ways in which alcohol can be controlled in different places in the NT. The amendments effectively changed interim alcohol protected areas (interim APAs) from an opt-in to an opt-out model.

If your community, homeland or outstation is now an interim APA this guide will help you to consider the following options:

• to have alcohol with no restrictions
• to have alcohol with customised restrictions
• to be a dry community.

The restrictions are time-limited and are set to finish up on 28 February 2027.

Please read the full guide here.