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Major event liquor licence

Sell or supply alcohol at big events with 5,000 people or more.

If you’re running or taking part in a large event, you need a major event licence if:

  • you expect 5,000 or more people to attend
  • the event will need close coordination with Victoria Police, local council, public transport or emergency services
  • your event is a street festival that needs busy or main roads to close or partly close.

Key features

  • Allows you to sell or supply alcohol at a large event with more than 5,000 people attending.
  • Is not a permit to hold the event – you may need a permit from the local council.
  • Cannot be used as a licence for an ongoing business.
  • Trading hours are requested and must be approved.
  • Apply for events with either a single supplier of alcohol or multiple alcohol suppliers.
  • Event organisers are encouraged to contact us before applying.

Apply about 3 months before your event.

Who this licence suits

This licence suits large-scale events, including those with many sellers or suppliers of alcohol.

For example:

  • Good Food and Wine Show
  • Meredith Music Festival
  • Royal Melbourne Show
  • GABS Craft Beer & Cider Festival
  • Spring Racing Carnival.

If you're organising a smaller one-off event or short run of events, read about a temporary limited liquor licence.

Application fees

You need to pay a non-refundable application fee when you apply.

For events with only one supplier of alcohol, the fee is $3,362.

For events with more than one supplier of alcohol, the fee is $504 per supplier.

Before you apply

Complete these steps before you start your application.

Apply now

Complete the application form on the Liquor Portal.

The form takes about 20 minutes to complete.

Get help with unfamiliar words and details in the application form.

Apply now

After you apply

We will email to acknowledge your application, including a receipt for your application fee.

We then review your application and email if we need more information. This may take a few weeks.

We may send your application to Victoria Police and the relevant local council. If we do, Victoria Police may contact you about your application.

When you get your decision

It can take about 9 to 11 weeks to get your decision.

It may take longer if someone objected to your licence or we needed to ask for more information.

Updated