Each year Victorian liquor licensees are required to pay renewal fees and are issued a new licence to display in their venues. The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) has begun to mail out 2016 liquor licences to licensees who have paid their renewal fee.
Compliance Director for the VCGLR, Stephen Berriman said the annual renewal process is a good time for venues to remind their staff of the venue's licence conditions and their obligations. He said
"When you receive your 2016 liquor licence, you must clearly display it in a manner that invites public attention. Take time to read and fully understand the conditions that apply to your venue - not just for yourself but also to your management team and your staff - including security."
"By setting clear expectations with your staff early on, you are encouraging the right behaviour in your venue and are less likely to run into trouble with police or our inspectors,"
Keep your 2015 licence on display until the 2016 licence is received. The initial mail-out includes licences for those who made payments up until and including Thursday 11 February 2016. The VCGLR will undertake a second mail-out at a later date for renewals paid after 11 February and in March 2016.
Payment must be made by Thursday 31 March 2016 to continue supplying liquor.
Licensees who do not pay their renewal fees, and continue to sell liquor, are trading unlawfully and can expect a visitor from a VCGLR inspector as well as Victoria Police.
"From 1 April 2016, we will be checking venues in both regional and metropolitan areas to ensure they are trading with a valid liquor licence,
Liquor licensees who trade unlawfully can attract significant penalties, including prosecution."
If you have not paid your renewal fee, or have misplaced the renewal fee invoice, contact the VCGLR as soon as possible to arrange a reprint.
