NSW New Liquor Licensing and Trading Rules for Airport Passenger Terminals

Liquor Amendment (Airports) Bill 2025

25 Nov 2025: Passed by Parliament and signed off by the governor.

This bill kicks in: TBA

Legislative Council

Legislative Assembly

Assent

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Topics

airport terminals alcohol sales liquor licensing trading hours underage drinking

Introduced by: The Hon John Graham MLC (ALP); The Hon David Harris MP (ALP)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Official page: bill text and explanatory notes

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Food courts and seating areas in passenger terminals are now part of the licensed premises; this ensures laws against underage drinking and excessive alcohol consumption apply there.
Licensees must display a clear notice telling customers where they can drink; failing to do so is a criminal offence.
The Night-time Economy Secretary can cut trading hours or ban liquor sales in food courts if the licensee breaks the law.
The Night-time Economy Secretary decides the trading hours and restricted days for premises around Western Sydney Airport.
Trading hours for airport terminal venues must match the airport's operating hours; they cannot be longer.
Airport terminal venues are exempt from the mandatory 6-hour closure period; they no longer have restricted trading days.
Retail liquor areas in terminals no longer need to be separated from other parts of the premises; minors can enter these areas without a responsible adult.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Kevin Anderson NAT

“On behalf of the Coalition, I contribute to debate on the Liquor Amendment (Airports) Bill 2025. The Opposition will be supporting the bill. The Opposition has consulted industry representatives regarding the content of the bill, and it has industry support. I thank my colleague in the other place the Hon. Jacqui Munro for her comments in the Legislative Council.”

Official source →

Edmond Atalla ALP

“I support the Liquor Amendment (Airports) Bill 2025. This bill is an important and practical reform, designed to ensure that the State of New South Wales is ready to take on responsibility for liquor licensing and regulation at leased Federal airports.”

Official source →

Nathan Hagarty ALP

“In the spirit of Ol’ Blue Eyes:”

Official source →

David Harris ALP

“The member for Leppington is a hard act to follow. I thank all members who contributed to debate on the Liquor Amendment (Airports) Bill 2025, being the member for Tamworth and shadow Minister, the member for Mount Druitt and the member for Leppington.”

Official source →

News articles and press releases

Liquor Amendment (Airports) Bill 2025

The Hon. MARK BUTTIGIEG — 2025-09-16

the Liquor Amendment (Airports) Bill 2025 to support the Commonwealth Government’s transition of the responsibility for liquor licensing and regulation at leased Federal airports in New South Wales to the New South Wales Government. That includes Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Camden Airport, Bankstown Airport and the new Western Sydney airport. The intention is for the bill to complement future changes that will soon be made by the Commonwealth Government to the Airports (Control of On‑Airport Activities) Regulations 1997 to implement the transition.