The ACT Government is working with businesses, industry and the community to achieve our vision for Canberra’s night-time economy.
Our vision for Canberra’s night-time economy
Canberra will be a city where the night brings exciting opportunity for all Canberrans and visitors to connect, explore culture, work and have fun.
A city after dark that is safe, easy to get around and accessible.
Where there is plenty to see and do, which is visible or easily found. Where talents and creativity of businesses, artists and entrepreneurs are readily showcased and valued.
Canberra, day and night, a better experience for everyone.
Principles for reform
We’ve worked with community, businesses and industry to develop principles to guide reform to help achieve Canberra’s night-time economy vison.
For night-time strategies to be inclusive they must take account of patterns of inequalities and address them, particularly for women, LGBTIQ+ people, older people, families, younger people, people with disabilities, people with a culturally and linguistically diverse background, and low-income earners.
A diversity of venues is a key contributor to vibrancy and inclusivity. This is achieved largely through ensuring a range of affordable venues and experiences are on offer. Ideas include spectating sport, learning a craft, listening to readings, rock-climbing, late-night museums and galleries, late trading retail, and educational seminars.
Notwithstanding this, liquor has a role to play in the night-time economy. Reform must ensure the integrity of the harm minimisation remains intact while supporting small venues to thrive and the diversification of businesses operating in the night-time economy.
The Arts sector, including music, is essential to a thriving night-time economy yet it is also one of the sectors most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consistent with our ambition to be recognised as Australia’s arts capital, exploring innovative ways to support artists will enhance and support the night-time economy.
We recognise that many people - including those in transport, logistics, retail, and healthcare - must work in order to create and support 'fun'. While the night-time economy focus often favours consumers, our infrastructure should consider and respond to this key workforce’s interests. This is particularly important given the current difficulty in recruiting staff to night-time economy industries in Canberra, and nationwide.
Government can support a diverse range of small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing incentives to start-up and try new things that appeal to a wide range of people through licencing mechanisms and business support programs.
We can remove unnecessarily burdensome regulations where applicable and give clearer information to business on how to understand and comply with regulation, giving back time.
As regulators, we can take an overall posture of seeking the success of small businesses and start from a stance of what can we do to help small businesses, artists, musicians, and event holders to succeed.
Governance should be collaborative - and consultation with businesses continuous throughout - because ultimately business will drive a city’s night-time economy.
What we’re doing
We're introducing reforms that will:
- reduce licensing fees
- encourage businesses to extend trading hours
- reduce administrative burden on businesses
- encourage diversity in night-time economy business models.
Read more about the night-time economy reform package.
The Liquor (Night-Time Economy) Amendment Bill 2024 has passed.
The ACT Government is introducing reforms to help support a more dynamic and diverse night-time experience for Canberrans.
Next-day permits now available for businesses to expand outdoor dining over summer.