Victorian Liquor Licensing

Victorian Liquor Licensing

Liquor Legislation
Responsible Alcohol Victoria and the Director of Liquor Licensing work together to meet the objectives of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998. Responsible Alcohol Victoria aims to minimise the potential negative impacts of alcohol misuse on individuals and the broader community. The
Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 can be accessed at www.legislation.vic.gov.au
 
Licence Types
Licence Type
Conditions
General Licence
Permits the supply of alcohol to customers for drinking on the premises and taking away. For example, pubs, hotels and taverns.
Late Night Licence
Authorises General Licences to trade past 1am.
Restaurant and Cafe Licence
Permits the supply of alcohol to customers for drinking on the premises where the predominant activity is the consumption of meals.
On-Premises Licence
Permits the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises in restaurants, bars, cafes and nightclubs.
Late Night (On-Premises) Licence
Authorises On-Premises Licence to trade past 1am.
Full Club Licence
Permits the supply of alcohol to members, guests and gaming visitors for drinking on the premises and for members to take away.
Restricted Club Licence
Permits the supply of alcohol to members and guests for drinking on club premises.
Packaged Licence
Permits the supply of alcohol for take away from supermarkets and bottle shops.
Late Night (Packaged Liquor) Licence
Authorises Packaged Licences to trade past 1am.
Vigneron Licence
Permits the production of liquor from fruit grown on the premises and the supply of liquor for drinking or taking away. For example, wine makers who sell their wine at the cellar door to retailers.
Pre-Retail Licence
Permits the supply of liquor to other licensees to on-sell to their customers such as wholesalers, producers, brewers and liquor importers.
Limited Licence
Permits temporary or short-term supply of alcohol to customers or club members for drinking on the premises. For one-off events such as a ball or presentation night, a one-off event requiring an extension of trading hours such as Anzac day or a series of events over a limited season.
Major Event Licence
A temporary Limited Licence that distinguishes those events that are likely to have a significant impact. Applies to events which require a significant regulatory enforcement effort or have a significant impact on the provision and organisation of public transport, emergency services or public safety.
 
Applying for a Liquor Licence
Licence application kits can be obtained from the Department of Justice Victoria's website  www.justice.vic.gov.au. Licensees have obligations and responsibilities to their customers, staff and the broader community under their liquor licence:
  • Read and understand your licence.
  • Be familiar and comply with the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.
  • Display your licence in a prominent position and also the required liquor licensing
  • signage.
  • Undertake Responsible Service of Alcohol training.
  • Keep your knowledge up to date and be aware of changes to liquor legislation via
  • refresher courses, seminars and the Grapevine newsletter (Responsible Alcohol Victoria’s periodic newsletter).
  • Serve liquor responsibly and promote responsible consumption by customers.
  • Ensure staff understand and practice responsible serving practices.
  • Respond to neighbourhood complaints quickly and positively.
  • Participate in local liquor licensing forums and accords.
  • Plan and acquire approval for extensions to your licence for special events and extended trading hours.
  • Get to know your local Victoria Police licensing inspector.
What Signage Do I Need?
Under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 each liquor license category has minimum signage requirements. For clarification on the minimum requirements and to obtain signage contact Responsible Alcohol Victoria on 1300 650 367.
  • Only original signs supplied by Liquor Licensing should be displayed. Do not make photocopies.
  • The signs must be displayed in a prominent location.
  • The maximum penalty for non-display of signs exceeds $500 under Section 102 of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.
  • Under the Code of Conduct, Packaged Liquor Licensees must also display the free call number for Directline 1800 888 236 (counselling for alcohol and drug problems).
  • Licensees may choose to display other signs in addition to the minimum requirements.  
Responsible Service of Alcohol
It is compulsory requirement to complete an approved Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course in Victoria if you are employed at a supermarket or stand alone bottle shop. RSA training is also mandatory if you are applying for a new liquor licence or you work at a venue which requires staff to have an RSA certificate as a condition of the licence. To meet the legal requirement, you must receive a certificate signed by the Director of Liquor Licensing upon completion of the course. Details of RSA Training Providers are available from the Department of Justice Victoria's website www.justice.vic.gov.au. Those who have already completed an RSA course can test their knowledge online by undertaking the RSA refresher course and quiz. 
 
Further Information
For further information on liquor licensing in Victoria contact Responsible Victoria on 1300 650 367 or
Email: liquor@justice.vic.gov.au
Liquor Legislation
Responsible Alcohol Victoria and the Director of Liquor Licensing work together to meet the objectives of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998. Responsible Alcohol Victoria aims to minimise the potential negative impacts of alcohol misuse on individuals and the broader community. The
Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 can be accessed at www.legislation.vic.gov.au
 
Licence Types
Licence Type
Conditions
General Licence
Permits the supply of alcohol to customers for drinking on the premises and taking away. For example, pubs, hotels and taverns.
Late Night Licence
Authorises General Licences to trade past 1am.
Restaurant and Cafe Licence
Permits the supply of alcohol to customers for drinking on the premises where the predominant activity is the consumption of meals.
On-Premises Licence
Permits the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises in restaurants, bars, cafes and nightclubs.
Late Night (On-Premises) Licence
Authorises On-Premises Licence to trade past 1am.
Full Club Licence
Permits the supply of alcohol to members, guests and gaming visitors for drinking on the premises and for members to take away.
Restricted Club Licence
Permits the supply of alcohol to members and guests for drinking on club premises.
Packaged Licence
Permits the supply of alcohol for take away from supermarkets and bottle shops.
Late Night (Packaged Liquor) Licence
Authorises Packaged Licences to trade past 1am.
Vigneron Licence
Permits the production of liquor from fruit grown on the premises and the supply of liquor for drinking or taking away. For example, wine makers who sell their wine at the cellar door to retailers.
Pre-Retail Licence
Permits the supply of liquor to other licensees to on-sell to their customers such as wholesalers, producers, brewers and liquor importers.
Limited Licence
Permits temporary or short-term supply of alcohol to customers or club members for drinking on the premises. For one-off events such as a ball or presentation night, a one-off event requiring an extension of trading hours such as Anzac day or a series of events over a limited season.
Major Event Licence
A temporary Limited Licence that distinguishes those events that are likely to have a significant impact. Applies to events which require a significant regulatory enforcement effort or have a significant impact on the provision and organisation of public transport, emergency services or public safety.
 
Applying for a Liquor Licence
Licence application kits can be obtained from the Department of Justice Victoria's website  www.justice.vic.gov.au. Licensees have obligations and responsibilities to their customers, staff and the broader community under their liquor licence:
  • Read and understand your licence.
  • Be familiar and comply with the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.
  • Display your licence in a prominent position and also the required liquor licensing
  • signage.
  • Undertake Responsible Service of Alcohol training.
  • Keep your knowledge up to date and be aware of changes to liquor legislation via
  • refresher courses, seminars and the Grapevine newsletter (Responsible Alcohol Victoria’s periodic newsletter).
  • Serve liquor responsibly and promote responsible consumption by customers.
  • Ensure staff understand and practice responsible serving practices.
  • Respond to neighbourhood complaints quickly and positively.
  • Participate in local liquor licensing forums and accords.
  • Plan and acquire approval for extensions to your licence for special events and extended trading hours.
  • Get to know your local Victoria Police licensing inspector.
What Signage Do I Need?
Under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 each liquor license category has minimum signage requirements. For clarification on the minimum requirements and to obtain signage contact Responsible Alcohol Victoria on 1300 650 367.
  • Only original signs supplied by Liquor Licensing should be displayed. Do not make photocopies.
  • The signs must be displayed in a prominent location.
  • The maximum penalty for non-display of signs exceeds $500 under Section 102 of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.
  • Under the Code of Conduct, Packaged Liquor Licensees must also display the free call number for Directline 1800 888 236 (counselling for alcohol and drug problems).
  • Licensees may choose to display other signs in addition to the minimum requirements.  
Responsible Service of Alcohol
It is compulsory requirement to complete an approved Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course in Victoria if you are employed at a supermarket or stand alone bottle shop. RSA training is also mandatory if you are applying for a new liquor licence or you work at a venue which requires staff to have an RSA certificate as a condition of the licence. To meet the legal requirement, you must receive a certificate signed by the Director of Liquor Licensing upon completion of the course. Details of RSA Training Providers are available from the Department of Justice Victoria's website www.justice.vic.gov.au. Those who have already completed an RSA course can test their knowledge online by undertaking the RSA refresher course and quiz. 
 
Further Information
For further information on liquor licensing in Victoria contact Responsible Victoria on 1300 650 367 or
Email: liquor@justice.vic.gov.au


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