Posted 23 Dec 2008

Travellers looking for a little extra cash during a gap year in Australia may have to strike bars off their list of potential employers.

The Northern Territory Licensing Commission has ruled that all staff in bars in the region need to have a responsible service of alcohol certificate before they can serve drinks.

Amy Williamson, executive director for the Australian Hotels Association Northern Territory, said that the move is positive in terms of formalising responsibility in the industry, but added that many businesses could suffer.

"The decision isn’t just affecting pubs and clubs in Darwin’s central business district – it’ll affect local restaurants, community clubs and roadside inns," she told the Northern Territory News.

Meanwhile, one of the founding fathers of the backpacking industry in Australia said this week that he is unsurprised to learn of allegations that some hostels refuse to admit Australians.

Michael Higginson told the Sunshine Coast Daily that it is "a tried and trusted practice" to keep an international atmosphere in hostels.

Category: Australasia