Sporting or community clubs are generally the type of business that apply for a club licence.
You can apply for a:
- full club liquor licence, or
- restricted club liquor licence.
Some clubs may also prefer a renewable limited licence.
Full club licence
A full club licence authorises a club to supply alcohol to:
- club members to drink on the premises or take away
- guests of members and authorised gaming visitors to drink on the premises only
- people attending a function or club event for drinking on the premises only.
An authorised gaming visitor is someone who:
- is not a member of the club, and
- lives more than 5 kilometres away from the club (if in metropolitan Melbourne) or more than 10 kilometres from the club (if in regional Victoria).
Restricted club licence
A restricted club licence authorises a club to supply alcohol to:
- club members to drink on the premises
- guests of members to drink on the premises only
- people attending a function or club event for drinking on the premises.
You may also supply liquor from a point of sale inside your licensed area during sport events for drinking outside of your licensed area (for example, from a canteen in the stands while watching a match).
Apply for your licence
To apply for a club liquor licence, submit your application above. The online form contains instructions on how to submit your application. For more advice on what documents you will need to complete your application, visit advice for completing a liquor licence application.
Please lodge your liquor licence application at least 9-11 weeks in advance. The time taken to process your application will vary depending on a range of factors, including the complexity of the application and any objections which may be raised.
Information needed in your application
As you prepare your application you may need to gather the following information:
- local council planning permission
- confirmation of trading hours
- compliance with required training
- red-line plan
- patron capacity declaration
- declaration of right to occupy premises.
Local council planning permission
Before starting your business activities, you should contact your relevant local council about their planning requirements. Your local council will be able to guide you in what they need and the suitability of your business for the local area and location.
Applications for a new liquor licence do not require a planning permit for the sale and consumption of liquor. But you may still need planning approval for other reasons.
In your liquor licence application to us, you need to provide one of the following:
- written confirmation from your local council as to whether you require a planning permit for the use and development of the land. This may be either a planning permit (if you have one) or letter
- LCV branded planning document
If you do not submit one of these documents, it may cause delays in your application.
Trading hours
The ordinary trading hours for a full club licence is:
- any time Monday to Saturday
- 10am to 11pm Sunday
- 12 noon to 11pm ANZAC Day and Good Friday.
More information on public holiday trading is available.
There are no set trading hours for a restricted club licence. Applicants should specify the hours they desire on the application form.
Training
Applicants for a club licence must complete:
Right to use the premises
For a licence to be issued, you need to show you have the right to operate out of your intended business location.
This is called a right to occupy the premises and it can be demonstrated by:
- your lease agreement
- proof that you own the property
- another legal arrangement.
You must include your declaration of the right to occupy your premises as a part of your application.
Red line plan
Your red line plan defines the area where alcohol can be supplied. This plan needs to be included in your application. The red line plan page has information on how to create and change your plan.
Maximum patron capacity
You must tell us the maximum number of patrons you want to have in your venue.
You are required to provide one of the below supporting documents with your application:
- a planning permit (if you have one) that has a patron capacity as a condition on it.
- a red line plan with the total square meters listed for the proposed licensed premises included.
The square meters will support your proposed patron capacity based on our standard limit of 1 person per 0.75 square metres.
See our Advice for completing a liquor licence application for more information.
Application fees
There are costs associated with applying for your liquor licence. Please see the fees and charges page for information.
When you have your licence
If your application is successful you are obligated to abide by the terms of your liquor licence.
Information on how to be compliant with the terms of your liquor licence is in the Licensee obligations section.
You can also change, transfer or give up your licence.
Clubs that share premises
Clubs that share facilities such as clubrooms, function areas and sporting fields have licence options available to them.
If your clubs amalgamate to form a new joint entity you can apply for a new licence that will be held by the new entity. This will also surrender your existing licence/s. To apply, download the amalgamated club licence application kit.
Victorian Government recognises the importance of sporting, recreational and social clubs to local communities. Many clubs share facilities such as clubrooms, function areas and sporting fields.
Traditionally, a single club structure has offered organisations the greatest amount of autonomy in managing their affairs. This type of structure has allowed clubs to:
- attract new members
- fundraise
- manage finances
- maintain facilities
- fulfil legal responsibilities, and
- meet increased community expectations.
It also allows clubs to share premises on a seasonal basis such as a football club in winter with a cricket club in summer.
The Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 requires a single licensee or nominee to be responsible for a liquor licence. When 2 or more clubs share the same premises over a 12 month period, they each hold their own liquor licence and both pay the costs of an annual liquor licence.
In Victoria, there has been growth in amalgamated community clubs as a way to maintain viability. For clubs, amalgamation can provide financial savings and it can assist with time consuming administrative and governance tasks.
Clubs interested in reducing the cost of holding a liquor licence may like to consider the following options:
Option 1
Amalgamate the clubs that jointly use the facilities. A number of clubs are now taking this step to more efficiently manage a range of activities and responsibilities, including those relating to the supply of liquor.
Option 2
Amalgamate club social committees to establish a separate "social club" that controls the use of club facilities, including the holding of a single liquor licence. The combined social club would receive all monies associated with the supply of alcohol and would then have to create their own rules as to how the funds were dispersed to the associated sporting clubs.
Option 3
One club is the licensee for the facility. That club is responsible for the supply of liquor and all related requirements under the licence, regardless of whether the use of the facility is by its club members, authorised visitors, or guests of club members. They would also be responsible for the behaviour of persons who are club members, authorised visitors or guests of club members, and any amenity issues. Serious penalties apply for offences related to licence breaches.
All of these options should be carefully considered, particularly in terms of organisational structures, profit sharing and legal arrangements, such as leases with local councils.
It is up to the individual club to decide how to structure their organisation. Liquor Control Victoria cannot advise you as to the most appropriate administrative arrangement for your club, but staff are happy to discuss the options available.
Updated