Member clubs are advised that James Newton (Head of Policy), Daniel Mitchell (Chief Strategy and Advocacy Officer) and Rebecca Riant (CEO) from ClubsNSW met with the NSW Productivity and Equality Commission on Wednesday, 10 June to discuss regulatory issues affecting clubs, as part of the NSW Government’s review of red tape across the hospitality sector (the Review).
In May 2026, the NSW Treasurer and Minister for Small Business asked the NSW Productivity and Equality Commission to undertake a review of regulation impacting small business in the hospitality sector.
Clubs are familiar with the cumulative impact of regulation across their hospitality operations, which increases operating complexity and cost. The Review provides a useful opportunity to identify where requirements could be simplified, better aligned or modernised, while maintaining appropriate safeguards.
At the meeting, ClubsNSW highlighted several key issues affecting clubs, including but not limited to:
- Licence conditions imposed by ILGA, Liquor & Gaming NSW and local councils that can restrict trade or operate inconsistently with broader government policy intent
- Overlap between the Registered Clubs Act 1976 and the Corporations Act 2001
- The cap on club amalgamations
- Sign-in requirements for functions
- Training rules that need modernisation, including more flexible online delivery and better recognition of interstate qualifications.
ClubsNSW also provided practical examples of where current requirements add cost, create uncertainty or make day-to-day hospitality operations unnecessarily difficult. ClubsNSW also discussed how regulatory overlap, inconsistent decision making by independent authorities and unnecessary restrictions can affect venue operations, club viability and negatively impact productivity, investment, employment and economic growth.
The Commission has indicated it is interested in receiving practical evidence and examples from the industry. ClubsNSW will continue to engage in the Review and advocate for sensible reforms that reduce unnecessary burden on clubs and improve productivity outcomes.
Member clubs are encouraged to email our Policy Team at [email protected] to provide any practical examples that might help support our advocacy efforts.
We will keep clubs updated as the Review progresses. The final report containing the Review’s recommendations is expected in August 2026.
Further information
The Commission’s Terms of Reference is available here.
If you have any questions, please contact ClubAssist on 1300 730 001 or [email protected].
This document has been prepared for the benefit of members and partners of ClubsNSW, and is intended for general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. You should consider your own individual circumstances and obtain your own independent advice before acting on this document. All copyright subsisting in this document is owned by, or licensed to, ClubsNSW or its contributors. Except for authorised use by members and partners of ClubsNSW in their own organisations, this document must not be reproduced, communicated, or otherwise disclosed in any form by any means without the prior written consent of ClubsNSW. If you are unsure about your rights, please contact ClubASSIST on 1300 730 001. © ClubsNSW or its contributors 2026
