Thousands of pub goers risk being ripped off with drink sizes, report says

Thousands of Australian pub goers risk being ripped off at the bar over the size of their drinks, a new government report found.

Results from the National Measurement Institute (NMI) show 30 per cent of licensed premises visited by undercover inspectors were not serving customers what they paid for.

Officials went to 436 venues across Australia last October for "secret shopper" trial purchases to check the size of every pot, schooner, middie, pint, nip, shot and glass poured was correct when sold by measurement.

Fresh beer filling the glass directly from the tap. With extra foam spilling over glass.

The results of the inspections led to 130 non-compliance notices being issued, mostly for the wrong glasses and also spillage.

But overall, the NMI report says the vast majority of pubs – seven in 10 – were serving correct drink sizes to their patrons.

"The results show good compliance overall, with 84 per cent of measuring instruments accurate and 68 per cent of trial purchases delivering the correct amount," the report.

The major shortcomings at non-compliant venues were inaccurate or unverified instruments, unapproved glassware or simple measures and pillage during pouring, meaning customers got less than they paid for.

Australian Hotels Association national chief executive Stephen Ferguson said the industry group recognised there were issues over non-compliance notices to "some venues regarding short pours".

"The aim of every venue is to ensure our patrons receive the accurate amount for their beer or spirit – and pubs are working hard to do just that," he said.

"Unfortunately, issues sometimes arise due to incorrect measuring devices and spillage – especially when things are busy at the bar.

"We are working with our membership to ensure we fix any short comings to ensure all patrons receive exactly what they have paid for."

Sydney publican Brian McGettigan says the findings show some industry "rogue operators" were ripping off customers.

"The hotels industry by and far does an amazing job for customers and ensuring the training is right and the pints and the schooners and the wines are all poured correctly," he told Today this morning.

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