Please visit Liquor Control Victoria’s website for liquor licensing, compliance, and regulatory information.
There are things you will need to consider, including licence requirements, before applying for a licence to run a bar or night club.
An on-premises liquor licence authorises the supply of liquor for consumption on the licensed premises.
Applicants are advised to lodge liquor licence applications at least eight weeks in advance. The time taken to process an 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 on-premises or late night (on-premises) 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.
Authorised trading hours for an on-premises licence are:
To trade until 1am you must comply with certain restrictions and requirements, please see our 1am trading hours webpage to understand how you can trade to 1am under this licence.
If you want to extend your trading hours after 1am, you will need to apply for a late night (on-premises) licence.
Note that a freeze is currently in place on granting applications to trade after 1am in the local government areas of Melbourne, Port Phillip, Stonnington and Yarra unless there are exceptional circumstances.
For information about the application fee for a general licence, see Application fees and timing.
Licensed venues that supply alcohol for consumption onsite are required to provide free drinking water to their patrons. See Free water for patrons.
Training for licence applicants helps potential licensees to understand their obligations under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.
Applicants must complete mandatory training requirements, including Responsible Service of Alcohol, before a liquor licence is granted.
See new entrant training for more information.
For a licence to be issued, the applicant must have the right to occupy the premises. A right to occupy the premises may arise from:
A declaration can be found in the liquor licence application kit.
One of the following documents is required to determine a maximum patron capacity: