Liquor applications

Applying for liquor licences, permits, conditions including fees and charges.

Online portal

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COVID-19 Business Assistance Package Occasional Licence application

To support licensees, the Director of Liquor Licensing will grant an occasional licence to permit the sale and supply of packaged liquor ancillary to a meal.

Application form

COVID-19 Business Assistance Package — Extended Trading Permits — Area

To support licensees with limited approved alcohol consumption areas the Director of Liquor Licensing will grant an extended trading to permit to allow an extension to the normal licensed or approved alfresco permit area to ensure social distancing guidelines can be maintained.

New licence application

When a licence is granted, it is granted to a specified entity (the licensee). The licence allows only the licensee to sell liquor from a specified place (the licensed premises).

If the licensee wishes to sell the licence to another entity, then the applicant who wishes to purchase or be assigned the licence must apply to the department to take over the licence (transfer of licence application). It is important to note that settlement cannot take place until prior approval has been given by the licensing authority. For information regarding applications to transfer a liquor licence, please refer to the application kit on the department’s website.

Approval can also be given by the licensing authority for the licensee to operate the licence at a place other than the licensed premises (removal of licence).

New licence applications

Advertised liquor licence applications

Most applications have to be advertised in order to inform the community. Objections to applications must be made to the department.

Temporary event approvals

Temporary event approvals made by the Director of Liquor Licensing.

Licensing processes

Graphic process diagrams of the licensing application process.

Plans and specifications requirements

Plans of the proposed premises are required to be lodged with the application in order for the licensing authority to define the area in which the sale, supply and in some cases, the consumption of liquor will occur if the licence is granted.

Plans and specifications

Licences

The following licences can be applied for through the online portal:

  • Occasional Liquor Licence
  • Restaurant Licence
  • Nightclub Licence
  • Hotel or Tavern Licence
  • Club Licence
  • Producer Licence
  • Wholesaler Licence
  • Liquor Store Licence
  • Small Bar Licence
  • Special Facility Licence

Apply for a licence through the online portal

Extended Trading Permits

The following licences can be applied for through the online portal:

  • Cellar Door Operation
  • Ongoing Hours
  • Liquor without a meal (Restaurant restricted to 120 persons or less)
  • Liquor without a meal (Restaurant not restricted to 120 persons or less)
  • Alfresco
  • Area
  • Dining Area
  • Associations (Club licence)
  • One off hours ETP Hours/Area/Other
  • Non Member Functions (Clubs)
  • Lodgers/Residential Accommodation
  • Catering
  • Late Delivery

Changes to permanent licenses/permits 

Additional forms

Some applications may require additional forms depending on the application type.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges are subject to change on 1 January each year.

Review of a licensing decision

Generally, if an applicant is dissatisfied with the decision handed down by the Director of Liquor Licensing, they have the right to apply for a review to be carried out by the Liquor Commission.

The review application needs to be submitted to the Commission within 28 days of receiving Director's decision. The Commission may grant an extended period for applications to be submitted.

Decisions relating to applications for a one-off extended trading permit or occasional licences can't be reviewed by the commission. This includes any decisions to subsequently cancel or vary these licences/permits after their initial issue.

The review process

When conducting a review, the Liquor Commission can only consider the same application and evidence that was originally submitted to the Director of Liquor Licensing.

The Commission must consist of three members if:

  • the decision involves granting or removing a licence;
  • the decision involves imposing, varying or revoking a prohibition order; or,
  • the chairperson determines three members are required.

An application for a review of a decision to cancel a licence can only be made on a question of law, i.e, on the perceived basis that the Director has misinterpreted the Liquor Control Act in making the original decision.

When conducting a review based on a question of law, the Commission must include one member who is a legal practitioner.

The Commission may:

  • affirm, vary or overturn the Director's decision;
  • make a decision that it feels should have been made in the first instance;
  • clarify any questions of law;
  • give instructions to the Director;
  • make any incidental or ancillary orders it finds necessary in relation to the decision.
Page reviewed 08 March 2022
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