Towards the end of each year, LCV calculates your annual liquor renewal fee based on the requirements of the Liquor Control Reform Regulations 2023. Your renewal fee is calculated based on your licence category and other factors that may increase the risk of alcohol-related harm. Venues that have factors that increase the risks of alcohol-related harms will have a higher renewal fee.
You will be sent your renewal notice by email late in the year. Your renewal notice will then be available online via the Liquor Portal.
We work closely with Service Victoria to bring you a simplified online payment platform. This is our preferred method for you to pay your renewal fee.
Licence renewal timeline
November
- Receive your renewal notice via email
31 December
- Any applications to change your liquor licence such as reduction of patrons, trading hours, floor space or prescribed venue types must be sent to LCV by this date
- Your renewal fee is due by 31 December
31 March
- Final day to pay your overdue renewal fee
- Any application to reduce or waive your licence fee must be lodged before this date
1 April
- All unpaid licences are now suspended (known as ceased in force)
- It is illegal to supply liquor after this date if you have not paid your renewal fee
30 June
- Final day to pay before your licence or permit expires
- Your licence or permit will be lost if you do not pay by this date
1 July
- All unpaid liquor licences expire
- Landlords, mortgagees or affected people (other than the licensee or permittee) can apply to renew the licence or permit
30 September
- Last day for landlords, mortgagees or other affected people to apply to renew the licence
- A licence or permit is expired and unable to be renewed in any way
1 October
- A licence or permit cannot be renewed in any way. If you require a liquor licence or permit, you must lodge a new application
- A licence or permit cannot be renewed in any way. If you require a liquor licence or permit, you must lodge a new application
Payment options
You can pay your licence or permit renewal fee in two ways:
- Online with your Visa or Mastercard (debit or credit card) on the Service Victoria online payment platform
- BPAY details on your renewal notice
Your 2024 liquor licence or permit will be available for download from the LCV Liquor Portal eLicence menu 5 working days after we receive your payment.
Register for eLicence to receive your renewal notice online
The easiest way to get your renewal notice is by email. To do this you will need to:
- Register for a Liquor Portal account (follow our guide below)
- Associate your licence or permit to your account, using your licence number and individual 4 digit PIN.
- Enter your email address
Your licence number and PIN can be found on your latest renewal notice or by emailing contact@liquor.vic.gov.au
If you’ve lost your renewal notice
If you have lost your renewal notice, or liquor licence, you can log in to your Liquor Portal account and download a copy at any time from the eLicence section.
If you haven’t registered for our Liquor Portal yet, follow our step by step registration guide above.
I think I’ve been charged incorrectly
You will receive your renewal notice in November of each year. This notice will break down your renewal fee into separate parts, as well as the whole amount.
If you review your renewal notice and are unsure why you have been charged the listed amount, check out how your fee was calculated. If you still think we have made a mistake, you must contact us by the end of December.
We will review your renewal fee and either help you understand your renewal fee or take steps to fix any mistakes.
Do I still have to pay if I’m currently not trading?
To keep your liquor licence or permit, you must pay your liquor licence renewal fee.
Even if you have ceased trading temporarily, you still need to pay your renewal fee as your licence is valid.
For venues that permanently close or cease trading, you should consider surrendering your liquor licence. Surrendering your licence means that we will no longer chase you for payment of the renewal fee, as the licence will no longer exist.
Reduce or waive renewal fees
Liquor licence fees are a standard business cost for all licensee, and you need to factor it into your future business planning.
If you cannot afford to pay your renewal fee, there are steps you can take to reduce it.
Any changes to your licence, such as reducing your trading hours, patron capacity or floor space, or advising us of your prescribed venue type, must be lodged by 31 December. If you make these changes after 31 December, they will not change your renewal fee until next year.
If you do not want to change your licence, but cannot afford your fee, you can apply for a waiver or reduction of the renewal fee. You must lodge this request before 31 March.
Renew a licence by owner, mortgagee or other affected person
If a licensee or permittee fails to renew a licence or permit by 30 June, the following people can apply to renew it after 30 June:
- The landlord or owner
- The mortgagee
- A person who has been prejudicially affected by the failure to renew
An application to renew an expired licence can only be lodged between 1 July and 30 September of the same year the licence or permit expired.
Note: You cannot apply to renew a renewable limited licence after 30 June.
To apply for the renewal of a licence or permit as an owner, mortgagee or other affected person.
After 1 October, a liquor licence or permit cannot be renewed. If you still require a liquor licence or permit, you must lodge a new liquor licence application.
Updated