Things to consider before applying - producer's licence

Applicants are advised to lodge liquor licence applications at least eight weeks in advance. The time taken to process an application will vary depending on a range of factors including the complexity of the application and any objections which may be raised.

For information about the application fee for a producer's licence, see application fees.

It's a condition of a producer's licence 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.

Planning permission 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.

For more information about obtaining a planning permit, contact your local council.

Ordinary trading hours for a producer's licence are as follows:

• 7am to 11pm Monday to Saturday
• 10am to 11pm Sunday, Good Friday and ANZAC Day.

Responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training and New entrant training is mandatory for producer licensees. Licensees will also need to complete the RSA refresher course every three years.

If you are selling alcohol wholesale, you may be required to collect and report on relevant data, see:  Wholesales data reporting

Under Australian laws, it is illegal to use a still (of any capacity) to distil alcohol (e.g. spirits), without an excise manufacturer licence from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Penalties can apply. It is also illegal to buy, make, possess, or sell a still without permission from the ATO if it has a capacity over five litres.

For more information, visit ato.gov.au/stills.

To sell your alcohol products at an unlimited number of farmers' markets, craft markets, festivals and other promotional events as you like, you will need to apply for a promotional event authorisation. 

Applications for promotional event authorisations can be applied as part of a producer licence application. If you are an existing producer licensee, you can apply via the Variation of conditions for an existing producer licence form. 

A promotional event authorisation does not include attendance at major events or horse racing events – these require a separate licence. Alcohol may be supplied at a promotional event between the hours of 7am and 8pm.

You are required to keep a record of the events you have attended. You can create your own record or use our sample template, see: Producers - register of promotional events
 

You may choose to sell your product from another retail premises in addition to your own premises. The retail premises must be in the same wine region as the primary premises on the licence.

Applications for additional retail premises can be applied as part of a producer licence application. If you are an existing producer licensee, you can apply via the Variation of conditions for an existing producer licence form.