Please visit Liquor Control Victoria’s website for liquor licensing, compliance, and regulatory information.
Before applying for a liquor licence, there are a few things you need to consider, including licence requirements.
The licence required will depend on your situation. The different types of licences for a sporting or community club are outlined on this page.
Any club that wishes to supply liquor to club members, guests of members or authorised gaming visitors (for clubs with gaming facilities) must obtain a liquor licence.
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.
It's a condition of a full, restricted and renewable limited club 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:
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.
Note: A planning permit is not required for BYO permits.
Permits the supply of alcohol to members, guests and gaming visitors for drinking on the premises, and for members to take away.
Ordinary trading hours for a full club licence are:
However, an applicant may also apply for additional trading hours.
This licence also permits the supply of liquor to the public at a function or club event on the licensed premises until 11pm.
Permits the supply of alcohol to members and guests for drinking on club premises.
It also allows the supply of liquor to the public at a function or club event on the licensed premises until 11pm.
Note: Clubs holding a restricted club licence or a renewable or temporary limited licence are able to purchase liquor from wholesalers. This allows these clubs to purchase liquor from the holder of a general, late night (general), packaged liquor, late night (packaged liquor), pre-retail or producer's licence.
Permits the supply of alcohol to a member or guest of a member:
Please note that to qualify for this licence, the supply of liquor must be substantially limited in nature or scope.
Clubs holding this licence can now purchase liquor from wholesalers (see restricted club licence for information)
There are no set trading hours for a renewable limited club licence. Applicants should specify the hours they desire on the application form.
Permits a club to allow members and guests of members to bring their own alcohol to be consumed on the club premises only.
No set trading hours apply. Applicants should specify the trading hours they desire when completing the application.
Changes have been introduced to assist clubs to manage their licences. Holders of a full club licence are being encouraged to consider whether it is appropriate for them to transfer to a restricted club licence.
Should you choose to vary your full club licence, the normal variation fee will be waived in this instance.
To apply, see Change a full club licence to a restricted club licence.
Clubs that share facilities such as clubrooms, function areas and sporting fields may be interested in considering the different club sharing options available to them. For more information, see Options for clubs sharing facilities.
