Things to consider before applying - General licence

It's a condition of general and late night (general) 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.

A general licence authorises the supply of liquor for consumption both on and off the licensed premises.

Who would normally apply?

Any business with appropriate planning permission that wishes to supply alcohol for consumption on the premises, as well as to take away. Pubs, hotels and taverns would normally hold a general licence.

Trading hours

Authorised trading hours for a general licence are:

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

To trade until 1am you must comply with certain restrictions and requirements, please see our 1am trading hours webpage to understand how you can trade to 1am under this licence.

Applicants may also apply for additional trading hours

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

A late night (general) licence authorises the supply of alcohol after 1am.

How long does it take?

Please put your application in at least eight weeks before you wish to start trading. The time taken to assess your application will vary depending on a range of factors, including the complexity of the application and any objections which may be raised.

Who would normally apply?

Businesses wishing to trade on a general licence past 1am.

Please note that there is currently a freeze on late night licence applications in the Local Government Areas of Melbourne, Port Phillip, Stonnington and Yarra. 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.