Apply for an on-premises liquor licence

An on-premises liquor licence allows you to sell alcohol to drink on your licensed premises without also being required to serve meals. Bars and nightclubs generally apply for this licence.

We are currently processing a high volume of applications

Some applicants are experiencing extended processing times. To improve processing times for your application, please read your application kit carefully and submit all the required documentation.

Bars and nightclubs are generally the type of business that apply for an on-premises licence.

An on-premises licence allows you to sell alcohol to drink on your licensed premises without also being required to serve meals. It does not allow you to sell takeaway alcohol.

Depending on your business, other licence types may better suit you including:

  • a general liquor licence if you wish to allow both on and off-premises sales and consumption of liquor
  • a restaurant and cafe licence if your primary business is offering meals for sale and consumption on your premises at all times you're open

You may also wish to review the on-premises (live music venue) liquor licence or sexually explicit entertainment venues for more information on these topics.

Apply for your licence

To apply please download and fill out the On-premises liquor licence application kit below. The application kit provides instructions on how to complete your application.

On-premises licence application kit
PDF 1.58 MB
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Please lodge your liquor licence applications at least 911 weeks in advance. The time taken to process your application will vary depending on a range of factors including the complexity of the application and any objections which may be raised.

Information needed in your application

As you prepare your application you need to gather the following information:

  • local council planning permission
  • confirmation of trading hours
  • compliance with required training
  • red line plan
  • patron capacity declaration
  • declaration of right to occupy premises.
  • copy of newspaper advertisement.

Local council planning permission

Before applying for your liquor licence you should contact your relevant local council about their planning requirements for your proposed business.

Your council will be able to guide you in what they need and the suitability of your business for the local area and location.

In your liquor licence application to us, you need to provide one of the following from your council:

  • a planning permit
  • copy of an application for a planning permit
  • evidence that a planning permit is not required to supply liquor. This can be a letter from the local council (or responsible planning authority) or a copy of the relevant planning scheme.

Trading hours

Standard trading hours for an on-premises liquor licence are:

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

More information on public holiday trading restrictions is available.

Extended trading hours

It is possible to trade after 1 am. If you wish to trade after 1 am you will need to apply for a late night on-premise licence. This page has the application form and information kit needed to apply for this licence.

The following council areas have additional requirements to trade after 1am::

  • Melbourne
  • Port Phillip
  • Stonnington
  • Yarra.

Training

As a licensee you need to complete and hold various training certificates. Please see the Responsible Service of Alcohol training page for more information.

Right to use the premises

For a licence to be issued, you need to show you have the right to occupy and are able to operate out of your intended business location.

This is called a right to occupy the premises and it can be demonstrated by:

  • your lease agreement
  • proof that you own the property
  • another legal arrangement.

Include your declaration of the right to occupy your premises as a part of your application.

Red line plan

Your red line plan defines the area where alcohol can be supplied. This plan needs to be included in your application. The Red line plan page has information on how to create and change your plan.

Maximum patron capacity

Include in your application one of the following documents to show your venue’s maximum patron capacity:

  • the most recently issued planning permit which contains a maximum patron capacity
  • a copy of an occupancy permit showing a prescribed patron capacity
  • a report from a registered building surveyor.

For more information download the fact sheet below.

Maximum patron capacity
PDF 73.58 KB
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Application fees

There are costs associated with applying for your liquor licence. Please see the Licence application fees and charges page for information.

When you have your licence

If your application is successful you are then obligated to abide by the terms of your liquor licence.

Information on how to be compliant is in the Licensees obligations section.

You can also change, transfer or give up your licence.

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