Ministerial directions - liquor

The Decision-Making Guidelines for cumulative impact applies to liquor licence applications for new licensed premises and variations to existing licensed premises that were submitted since 4 August 2011.

Cumulative impact refers to the impacts that results from a concentration of licensed premises in a defined area. Evidence suggests that cumulative impact is associated with a range of both positive and negative outcomes that arise from the combination of many factors such as physical and environmental setting, the mix of premises and their operating conditions.

The positive outcomes can include the creation of a local identity or status as an entertainment destination, enhanced vitality of the area, economic benefits, and an increase in consumer choice.

The negative outcomes of cumulative impact can include crime, a loss of amenity, and antisocial behaviours.

Potential cumulative impacts vary between locations and depend on the number and type of licensed premises, and the capacity of the local area to accommodate the concentration.

The Guidelines enable the Commission to assess the contribution of a new licensed premises, or the variation of an existing licensed premises to the cumulative impact of licensed premises in an area.

For more information, download the Decision-Making Guidelines for cumulative impact.

The Minister has determined that applicants for a new late night (general) licence or late night (on-premises) licence that authorises the supply of liquor after 1am for on-premises consumption must complete the advanced RSA training program. This requirement does not apply in relation to late night (on-premises) licences with restaurant and cafe conditions.

The Minister has also determined that holders of a general licence, on-premises licence, late night (general) licence or late night (on-premises) licence that authorises the supply of liquor after 11pm for on-premises consumption must complete the advanced RSA training program if they receive a demerit point from the VGCCC.

The Ministerial Order on Advanced RSA training is available to download. More information on advanced RSA training is available for further details.

The Decision-Making Guidelines for packaged liquor apply to licences seeking to supply packaged liquor, including those that operate outside ordinary trading hours. It considers the grant of licences seeking to supply packaged liquor within the objective of harm minimisation.

It states that licences seeking to supply packaged liquor with trading hours that are greater than ordinary trading hours (as defined in section 3 of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998) should only be granted by the Commission in exceptional circumstances, and that hours should not extend past midnight.

The Victorian Government has extended the restrictions or  "freeze" on the granting of new licence applications to trade past 1am in the inner city municipalities of Melbourne (including Docklands), Stonnington, Yarra and Port Phillip.

The freeze has been extended until 30 June 2021. During this time, applications for licences to trade past 1am in these areas will be assessed against the Decision making guidelines - restrictions on late night licences.

For more information visit the Late night freeze page.

Under a Ministerial Order issued on 21 September 2022, any licensee who delivers packaged liquor via off-premises request must keep and supply records regarding their deliveries. For more information, visit Failed packaged liquor deliveries.