Things to consider before applying - SEE venue

Changes to the fee structure for sexually explicit entertainment venues came into effect on 1 January 2010.

Licence fees for these venues will be higher if there are one or more paid infringements or successful prosecutions for responsible service of alcohol offences recorded against the licensed premises.

The following offences will impact the annual renewal fees:

• supplying alcohol to an intoxicated person
• permitting a drunk or disorderly person on the premises
• supplying alcohol to a minor, other than as permitted
• permitting a minor on licensed premises.

In calculating the fees, the compliance history over a 12-month period - between 1 October to 30 September - will determine the level of fee payable by a sexually explicit entertainment venue.

• General licence - authorises the supply of liquor for consumption both on and off the licensed premises.

• On-premises licence - authorises the supply of liquor for consumption on the licensed premises only.

Any business with appropriate planning permission that wishes to supply alcohol for consumption on the premises. Pubs, hotels, bars and taverns would normally hold a general or an on-premises licence.

It's a condition of general, on-premises or late night (on-premises) licences that the use of the licensed premises does not breach the planning scheme under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Applicants are required to provide a copy of the following information with their application:

• A planning permit; or
• A copy of an application for a planning permit; or
• Evidence that a planning permit is not required to supply liquor as allowed for by the licence type you are applying for. This evidence may be a letter from the local council (or responsible planning authority) or a copy of the relevant planning scheme.

This ensures that the activities undertaken are consistent and appropriate for that area. For example, a licensee cannot operate a night club in an area where night club activity is not permitted under the local planning zone restrictions.

Contact your Local Government Authority for information about obtaining a planning permit.

Ordinary trading hours for a general licence and a on-premises licence are:

• 7am to 1am Monday to Saturday (excluding ANZAC Day and Good Friday)
• 10am to 1am the following Sunday
• 12 noon to 1am  the following morning ANZAC Day and Good Friday.

If you want to extend your trading hours past 1am, you will need to apply for a late night (general) or late night (on-premises) licence.

Please note that a freeze is currently in place on granting applications to trade post 1am in the local government areas of Melbourne, Port Phillip, Stonnington and Yarra unless there are exceptional circumstances. For more information, see Late night freeze.

Licensed venues that supply alcohol for consumption onsite are required to provide free drinking water to their patrons. It will be left to the discretion of the licensee how water is supplied. Failure to supply free drinking water will attract substantial fines. To find out more about these conditions, see Free water for patrons.