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Licensee obligations

As a liquor licensee in Victoria you must meet all of your general obligations under the law, including planning, RSA and other training, and your specific liquor licence conditions.

Acceptable forms of identification

Licensees and their staff need to be vigilant when checking identification (ID).

Responsible alcohol advertising and promotions

Resources are available to help licencees understand responsible advertising and promotion of liquor.

Demerit point and star rating systems for liquor licensing

The demerit point and star rating systems are designed to improve compliance with liquor laws and encourage responsible industry practices.

Drink spiking

Liquor licensees have a responsibility to provide a safe venue for patrons. Both licensees and staff should watch out for drink spiking.

Liquor fees and fines

Liquor fees are charged for licence applications, and fines may be imposed for breaches of liquor laws.

Free water for patrons

Licensed venues that supply alcohol for consumption on-site are required to provide free drinking water.

Managing intoxicated patrons

It is an offence for a licensee or permittee to supply liquor to a person in a state of intoxication. It is also an offence to permit drunken or disorderly persons to be on any licensed premises.

Planned inspections of liquor licensed premises

Liquor Control Victoria's compliance inspectors monitor licensed premises throughout Victoria to ensure that licensees are compliant with their liquor licence conditions.

Public holiday trading restrictions

Trading hours on Good Friday and Anzac Day vary for different liquor licences.

Late night liquor trading

Selected liquor licence categories can apply to extend their hours of trading to 1am.

Red line plan for licensed premises

Liquor licensees need to define the area they want liquor to be supplied and consumed. This is shown by a red line drawn on a plan of the premises - a red line plan. 

Print my liquor signage

Signs are useful for notifying staff and customers of their legal requirements and the fines for breaking liquor laws.

Under-18 patrons on licensed premises

The legal drinking age in Victoria is 18 years. It's illegal to supply alcohol to underage people on licensed premises and a minor to be on licensed premises to purchase or consume alcohol.

Wholesale liquor data reporting

Some liquor licensees are legally required to report their wholesale liquor sales data each year.

Security in licensed venues

Liquor licensees need to be aware of licence conditions they may have for security cameras and crowd controllers.

Supplying liquor to a person who makes an off-premises request

Obligations on licensees regarding the supply of packaged liquor to a person who makes an off-premises (mail, email, telephone, web/internet or other electronic communication) request.

Failed packaged liquor deliveries

Licensees who deliver packaged liquor bought off-premises, via phone or online, must keep and supply records regarding their deliveries.

Intoxication and same day liquor deliveries: Requirements for off-premises requests

Find out about intoxication guidelines for same day liquor deliveries, and how to decide whether to refuse delivery of a liquor order.

Reviewed 20 September 2023

Liquor

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