South Australia has become the first state to introduce a two-hour delay on alcohol deliveries.
The new laws also restrict same-day alcohol delivery to between 10am and 10pm.
The reforms follow recommendations from the state's Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.
The changes have been welcomed by domestic violence advocates but strongly opposed by the alcohol retail industry.
Background
South Australia's royal commission was called in late 2023, after six South Australians died in alleged family and domestic violence incidents, including four women in one week.
The commission heard alcohol is involved in up to 65% of reported domestic and family violence incidents around the country.
It handed down 136 recommendations in August 2025.
Two of the recommendations specifically called for stricter rules around alcohol delivery.
Reforms
The new reforms restrict same-day alcohol delivery to between 10am and 10pm, and introduce a minimum two-hour safety pause between when an order is placed and when it's delivered.
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They also amend the Liquor Licensing Act 1997 so that minimising alcohol-related harm becomes the law's focus.
The bill passed Parliament on Tuesday.
Response
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education CEO Ayla Chorley welcomed the reforms, saying the measures are "common-sense and modest, but the impact they will have cannot be overstated."
Retail Drinks Australia CEO Michael Waters criticised the changes, saying they lacked "credible evidence", and warned they could push people towards unregulated or illegal delivery services and increase drink driving.
What's next?
The ACT introduced a similar bill last year, but it hasn't passed yet.
Last month, National Cabinet agreed to speed up action on gender-based violence.
This included reforms to the way alcohol is accessed, as recommended in a Federal Government-commissioned review of ways to prevent domestic violence.
Advocates are now pushing other states and territories to introduce their own versions of the two-hour pause.
