By Triana O'Keefe, editor Australian Hotelier
In an Australian first, NSW licensed venues will now have access to an online compliance management system, with other states to follow in 2015.
The system, which is paperless and uses smartphone technology, was developed following continuing feedback from industry about the complexity and time consuming nature of meeting their ongoing compliance obligations.
It provides the ability to avoid compliance breaches where one missing mandatory sign can lead to a fine of $220, and a breach of a licence condition can add a compliance history levy of $3,000 PA to a licence fee.
The Intelligent Compliance system offers licensees the ability to establish their own compliance record to satisfy their legal requirements using the Intelligent Compliance App. It was specifically designed for industries where business operators need to prove compliance with government and/or industry regulations.
During 2011-2013, a total of 3,448 non-compliance breaches were issued to NSW licensed premises resulting in $1.8 million-plus in fines.
Intelligent Compliance uses smartphone technology to capture compliance data which is then stored for online access with reports assisting in legal proceedings by providing time and date-stamped data.
Managing director John Mead told TheShout the technology has been needed for a number of years and he believes it will be well received.
“Over many years as a licensee, industry consultant and trainer, I have listened to licensees and have been made well aware of the complexity of their compliance requirements, the time consuming nature of meeting their obligations and shortcomings of any current systems,” he said.
“Accordingly, we have developed this new compliance tool, which includes the Smartphone Apps and have now made it available to the liquor industry from around $1 per day.”