Trade measurement inspectors from the National Measurement Institute (NMI) will run a week-long audit of licensed premises starting today, checking the sale of beer and prescribed spirits at more than 300 venues across the country.

Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said inspectors would be testing trading practices, measurement accuracy and measuring instrument compliance over the course of the week.

“It’s important that consumers are getting what they have paid for,” Minister Price said.

“For many businesses, it’s been a tough couple of years. Where businesses are re-establishing after long lockdowns or natural disasters, audits will give assurance that their instruments are still compliant.

“We are also ensuring our inspectors have up to date information on the range of government assistance that is available to businesses.” 

The Licensed Premises Program is one of the National Concentrated Programs outlined in NMI’s National Compliance Plan 2021-22, focusing on about 320 pubs, clubs, hotels and breweries.

The program is designed to ensure consumers get the correct volume of alcohol they order. It also aims to give licensed venues the confidence that their trading practices are up to standard and their profits aren’t affected by inaccurate measurements.

The NMI has been working with industry on workplace training and educational resources for the sector.

The last major audit of the sector was carried out by NMI in August 2019, with almost 30 per cent of traders having instances of non-compliance. 

While most instances of non-compliance did not affect measurement accuracy, about four per cent of alcohol dispensers were found to be under pouring. Businesses promptly rectified the problems once they were pointed out. 

Businesses found to be short measuring their customers could be fined up to $222,000.

The NMI employs about 50 trade measurement inspectors throughout Australia who undertake a variety of regulatory inspection audits.

The National Measurement Institute is Australia’s peak measurement body responsible for biological, chemical, physical, legal and trade measurement.