Register a complaint about inappropriate alcohol advertising, promotions or products

Keep your eyes open for inappropriate alcohol advertisements. Alcohol advertisements are governed by the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC).

If you are concerned about the content of an alcohol advertisement and think it violates this code, register a complaint through the CAAN Complaints System which enables members of the public to register complaints about inappropriate alcohol advertisements, promotions, products and instances of unsafe or excessive alcohol use in the community. Complaints can be made by phone, e-mail or in writing:

Phone: (03) 9278 8162
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Write: CAAN Complaints 
PO Box 818
North Melbourne
VIC, 3051

You can also make a complaint to the Advertising Standards Bureau. The Advertising Standards Bureau has an online complaints form on their website. Click here.

If you are concerned about the timing of an alcohol advertisement on television, contact the relevant television station within 30 days of the broadcast.

For a list of commercial TV stations and their contact details, click here. 

To make a complaint about the timing or frequency of an alcohol advertisement aired on radio, the Australian Broadcasting Authority recommends that you contact the station directly.

To find the contact details for a radio station, click here.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority website features an online complaints form that you can fill out and then send to the relevant radio station:

Responding to Irresponsible Promotions:

CAAN and its members monitor companies for irresponsible alcohol promotions. CAAN actively contacts companies which breach community standards and some licensing laws and asks the companies to change or alter their promotions. CAAN will continue to take action against these kind of promotions and encourages the community to do the same.

Responding to Inappropriate Products:

CAAN has publicly objected to a range of neo-alcohol products – everyday grocery items infused with alcohol or alcohol flavouring – on the grounds that they normalise alcohol use and introduce children to the taste of alcohol and brands before they are ready.

Examples of such products include the following: Arnott's Tia Maria Tim Tam and Kahlua Slice biscuits and Streets' Illicit Vodka Cranberry Magnum.