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What type of alcohol licence you need

Before applying for an alcohol licence, check which type of licence you need. You may need more than one.

Club licence

You need a club licence if you want to sell and supply alcohol at your club. The alcohol will be consumed onsite, by club members and their guests. Examples include a:

  • RSA
  • sports club
  • working men’s club
  • social club.

For more information, read step one to eight of our guide Apply for an alcohol club licence.

Off-licence

You need an alcohol off-licence to sell or supply alcohol that will be consumed away from the place of purchase. This may include a:

  • supermarket
  • grocery store
  • bottle store
  • hotel or tavern that sells alcohol to take away
  • remote sales businesses (online or mail order)
  • winery cellar door.

For more information, read step one to eight of our guide Apply for an alcohol off-licence.

On-licence

You need an alcohol on-licence to sell or supply alcohol to be consumed on your business premises. Examples include a:

  • restaurant (including BYO)
  • bar, tavern or nightclub
  • theatre or cinema
  • hotel
  • function centre
  • winery cellar door
  • conveyance (for example, a bus, train or plane).

For more information, read step one to eight of our guide ​Apply for an alcohol on-licence.

Alcohol temporary authority

If you are taking over a business that already has a current alcohol licence, you can apply for a temporary authority.

Temporary authority allows you to sell and supply alcohol for up to three months under the existing terms and conditions of the current licence. This gives you time to lodge a new application.

We cannot transfer an alcohol licence to a new owner.

We cannot issue a temporary authority to a club.

For more information, read steps one to three of our guide Apply for an alcohol temporary authority.

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