Hosting underage gigs

You may have minors on that part of their premises when:

• a mixed-age live music event is being held in accordance with notice given to the VGCCC and 'prescribed conditions'
• liquor is not supplied, consumed or made available on that part of the premises.

To give notice to the VGCCC, you must:

• submit a Notification form for conduct of a mixed-age live music event where minors will be present on licensed or authorised premises (PDF, 366KB) at least seven business days before the live music event(s)
• adhere to the 'prescribed conditions' that apply to such events (see notification form for a full list of conditions).

You can notify the VGCCC of up to a maximum of three events in total on the form. There is no fee.

*an event where sound is manipulated for artistic, cultural or religious purposes and performed to an audience.

For underage or youth events that don't involve live music; you must submit a Temporary approval of unaccompanied minors on licensed premises application form (PDF, 598KB) to the VGCCC at least 45 calendar days before the event.

You can notify the VGCCC of up to a maximum of three events in total on the form. There is a fee.

If approval is granted, adults cannot be admitted unless they are members of staff or bona fide*** adult supervisors and wear wristbands identifying themselves as being over 18 years of age.

**any event at which minors will be present on licensed premises without being accompanied by a parent, spouse, legal guardian or responsible adult but at which live music will not be conducted.

***a person who is of or over the age of 18 years and who is a “bona fide adult supervisor” or “responsible adult” in relation to:

• the minor's parent, step-parent, guardian or grandparent, or
• the minor's spouse, or
• a person who is acting in place of a parent and who could reasonably be expected to exercise responsible supervision of the minor.

'Fast Track, Low Risk' events are also events at which minors will be present on licensed premises without being accompanied by a parent, spouse, legal guardian or responsible adult, but with no live music.

The difference between 'Underage or youth events' and 'Fast Track, Low Risk' underage or youth events' is that 'Fast Track, Low Risk' underage or youth events have a lower risk of harm to the community and so they can be approved more quickly.

The VGCCC can determine these applications more quickly because Victoria Police is not asked to comment on these applications. However, Victoria Police may advise the VGCCC that a particular licensed premises, location or event is considered high risk and not eligible for 'Fast Track, Low Risk'.

Eligibility

To find out if an underage or youth event is eligible for fast-tracking, you must be able to answer 'yes' to all questions on the eligibility checklist which is available on the 'Fast track, low risk' underage events application form (PDF, 412KB).

The checklist includes the following criteria:

• VGCCC approval for running underage events in the last 24 months
• good compliance history
• time the event finishes
• whether alcohol is permitted at the event
• non-admittance of persons over 18 years of age.

When holding underage or youth events which do not involve live music, you must submit the application form to the VGCCC at least 20 calendar days before the event.

If approval is granted, adults cannot be admitted unless they are members of staff or bona fide adult supervisors/responsible adults*** and wear wristbands identifying themselves as being over 18 years of age.

You can notify the VGCCC of up to a maximum of three events in total on this form.