Alcohol Sampling Information

Alcohol Sampling

The ICC Sydney has exclusive rights to sell and distribute food and drink on-site. However, they allow exhibitors to sample externally supplied alcoholic beverages, provided they notify the organisers in advance.

Please note:

Exhibitors cannot sell their own alcohol on-site; only samples can be provided.

Exhibitors can display products and take orders for future fulfillment, but direct sales are not allowed.

Sampling alcohol is under the ICC Sydney’s Liquor Licence, so exhibitors don’t need their own liquor licence but must follow the venue’s rules.

Exhibitors must also comply with NSW Food Safety Regulations and complete necessary steps for non-alcoholic sampling.

You will be required to adhere to NSW Food Safety Regulations. Please ensure you have read the Food & Beverage (Non-Alcoholic) Sampling page and complete the additional necessary steps.

What is Considered Alcoholic Sampling?

Sample Alcoholic Beverage Portions are limited to;
Liquor and Spirits	20ml or less
Wine	50ml or less
Beer	50ml or less

NOTE: Exhibitors found exceeding these limits may face a $490 fee per day.

Please Note:

Sampling means providing small tastings of food or drink (money doesn’t need to exchange hands).

All sampling at Naturally Good must be free to visitors.

Exhibitors cannot sell alcohol onsite but may provide samples, display products, and take orders for future fulfillment. Direct sales are not permitted.

Water must be available if sampling alcohol.

Samples must relate to the exhibitor’s core business.

Late form submissions may prevent exhibitors from sampling.

Exhibitors are responsible for extra cleaning costs due to spills or waste removal.

Please contact the Event Coordinator for any sampling-related questions.

Steps for Alcohol Sampling:

1. Complete the Alcohol Sampling Form:

Log in by Monday, 14 April 2025, to fill out the Sampling – Alcohol Sampling form, including the Temporary Food Permit (TFP) form with the City of Sydney.

The details you fill out on the form will be used to apply for a Food and Beverage Sampling permit from ICC Sydney on your behalf.

2. Apply for a Temporary Food Stall Permit:

Apply separately for a Temporary Food Stall (TFP) permit with the City of Sydney. Only City of Sydney permits are accepted. Other council permits will be rejected.
To apply for a TFP please visit: City of Sydney Temporary Food Stall Application
If you already have your Temporary Food Permit (TFP) Number via the City of Sydney, you do not need to reapply this is an ongoing permit.

Once you have your Temporary Food Permit (TFP) number via the City of Sydney, you can input this into the Alcohol Sampling form as well.

3. NSW RSA Competency Card:

All staff involved in alcohol sampling must have a NSW RSA Competency Card (current within the last 5 years) or a NSW RSA Interim Certificate (issued within 90 days of the event). For more information on RSA, please refer to: NSW Competency Cards

Please upload copies of these certificates when submitting the Sampling – Alcohol form and bring a copy onsite.

Only accredited individuals can serve samples. If these persons are to leave the stand or go on breaks, only those with a NSW RSA competency card are able to serve alcohol in their place. If there are no other accredited individual, alcohol service MUST cease.

If you do not have either of these:

If you have completed a NSW RSA course (within last 3 years) but don’t have the physical card, you can request a digital version through Service NSW: Service NSW Digital Licenses.
If you do not have staff with the appropriate qualifications, you can hire venue staff by getting in touch with ICC Sydney Exhibitor Services. Details listed on the Contacts Page.

4. Interstate RSA Licensing:

Interstate exhibitors (from Victoria, NT, ACT) with a valid RSA may work temporarily in NSW under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 introduced on 1 July 2021.

Please complete the Organiser’s Sampling Alcohol Form under Compulsory forms. Attach a copy of your home RSA certificate to the organisers to provide to the venue for sign off

Always carry proof of your RSA and comply with NSW regulations (please note: registration conditions on your home state RSA certification will apply in NSW unless Liquor Licencing NSW waives them).

Comply with NSW laws.

Only undertake activities in NSW that you are allowed to perform under your registration in your home state.

For more information about workers covered under AMR, visit making it easier for registered professionals to work interstate page.

Signage

Exhibitors must display the “Under 18s not to be served or supplied alcohol” sign at their stand, as failure to do so will breach the liquor licence and prevent product sampling. New signage from Liquor and Gaming NSW, effective from January 21, 2022, must replace any old signage.

For more information, refer to the specifications listed on the Liquor and Gaming NSW webpage.

Incident Management

Exhibitors are required to maintain an incident register at their stand, available for purchase for $20, or keep one yourself with the same content as the official one. For more information refer to this page: https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/working-in-the-industry/licensees-and-approved-managers/incident-registers.

Incidents involving alcohol (e.g., underage drinking, intoxication, refusal of service) must be recorded on the Incident Register, and the RSA Manager contacted immediately. The completed register must be submitted to ICC Sydney floor managers at the end of each show day.

For further guidance and information
Contact Liquor & Gaming NSW

T: 1300 024 720 | Monday to Friday | 9am – 4pm
E: [email protected]
W: https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/working-in-the-industry/serving-alcohol-responsibly

26-27 May 2025

ICC SYDNEY, DARLING HARBOUR