Liquor Licensing
Holding the appropriate licence in relation to the operation of your business is of paramount importance. The requirements and form of liquor licensing differ depending on the type of business you are operating. The types of liquor licences are:
New South Wales
• Hotel licence - applies to a premises where the primary purpose is the sale and supply of alcohol. This includes a variety of hotel venues (including accommodation hotels), as well as small and large bars
• Club license - applies to registered clubs
• Packaged liquor licence - applies to liquor stores selling take-away alcohol only
• On-premesis licence - applies to a variety of purposes including accommodation venues, restaurants, catering services, vessels, tourism businesses, tertiary institutions, and public entertainment venues
• Producer/wholesaler licence - applies to wine producers, brewers, distillers, and wholesalers. The licence allows wholesalers to sell to other liquor licensees.
• Limited licence - allows alcohol sales for consumption on the licensed premises at a function or multiple functions a special event and a trade fair
In New South Wales liquor licensing is regulated by the Office of Gaming, Liquor and Racing and is regulated by the Casino Liquor and Gaming Control Authority.
Victoria
Categories of liquor licence where a permit is required in Victoria:
• General licence - Permits the supply of alcohol to customers for consumption on the premises, as well as to take away. Applies to pubs and hotels.
• On-premises licence - applies to bars and nightclubs and permits the supply of alcohol to customers for consumption on the premesis
• Restaurant and café licence - Permits the supply of alcohol to customers for consumption on premises where the predominant activity at all times is the preparation and serving of meals for consumption on the premises
• Packaged liquor licence - Permits the supply of alcohol to customers to take away only
• Vigneron's licence - Permits the production of alcohol from fruit grown on the premises and the supply of alcohol from the premises for consumption or take away, as well as to other liquor licence holders. For example, wine makers who sell their wine at the cellar door or to retailers
• Pre-Retail licence - Permits the supply of alcohol to other liquor licensees to on-sell to their customers. For example, wholesalers, producers, brewers and liquor importers
The Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 is the legislation relating to liquor licensing in Victoria.
