From 1 July 2025, Victoria’s planning rules will change. These changes mean a planning permit is no longer required for the sale and consumption of liquor. There is no change to LCV’s role or what we consider as part of assessing a liquor application as a consequence of the planning changes. For more information on the reform please refer to the Department of Transport and Planning website.
It’s important to note that your venue may still need planning approval for other reasons, and you should speak with your local council to understand any specific requirements.
This page will be updated as LCV receives more information about this change.
Applications lodged from 1 July 2025
Applications for a new liquor licence lodged from 1 July 2025 will not require a planning permit for the sale and consumption of liquor. But to meet your legislative requirements, you must still provide evidence that your application does not contravene the planning scheme. You can do this by uploading a copy of a planning permit (if you have one), a letter from your local council or a copy of the LCV document below:
You can get a head start on your liquor licence application on the Service Victoria website before 1 July 2025 using the LCV evidence document. However, if you use the LCV evidence document, you can only lodge and pay for your application from 1 July 2025.
Applications lodged before 1 July 2025
Liquor licence applications decided by LCV before 1 July 2025 will follow the existing process and you will need to provide planning documentation (either a planning permit, a planning permit application, or evidence from council that the use of the licenced premises will not contravene the planning scheme) for the application to be decided.
If your application will be decided from 1 July 2025, it will follow the below process.
- If you submitted a planning permit or a letter from your local council confirming that your liquor licence application did not contravene the planning scheme, we will continue to assess your application as normal.
- If you submitted a copy of your planning application with your liquor licence application, we will ask you to go back to council. You will need to ask council for either:
- A copy of your planning permit if it was granted before 1 July 2025
- Confirmation as to whether you require a planning permit for the use and development of the land.
Process for changing an existing liquor licence
You will need to discuss planning requirements with your local council and applications to change an existing licence will still need to provide either:
- a planning permit
- a planning permit application, or
- evidence from council that the change will not contravene the planning scheme.
If you have a liquor licence application under assessment prior to 1 July 2025 and you have submitted a copy of a planning application with your liquor application, we will ask you to provide either a copy of your planning permit if it has been granted by council or, confirmation from council as to whether your planning permit must be amended.
Applications decided without a planning permit before 1 July 2025
Some applications have been decided by LCV where local councils had not yet granted a planning permit. Any affected licensees or applicants will be contacted directly by LCV and asked to provide a completed notice of right to use the premises form and either a copy of your planning permit if it was granted by council or confirmation from council that your licence does not contravene the planning scheme.
Public notice and referrals
LCV will continue to refer applications to local councils for comment, as required under legislation.
The display of a public notice is still a legal requirement for most liquor licence applications. LCV will continue to direct applicants to display a public notice for new liquor licence, variation and relocation applications. For more information on making an objection refer to how to object to a liquor licence application. Local councils can also refer to our local council liquor licence objection kit.
If you objected to an application and you are not happy with the outcome, you can request an internal review. The applicant and/or objectors will be notified of any request for an internal review made by other parties.
There is no change to kerbside or footpath trading rules
The local laws section of your local council issue these permits. A copy of the council permit must be provided with your liquor licence application.
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