Article
In short
- The cost of a liquor licence in Victoria has two main parts: the fee to prepare and lodge the application, and Liquor Control Victoria's (LCV) own fees.
- Our fee for a new licence is from $1,199 + GST for a restaurant or café licence, and from $1,599 + GST for other licence types. It's fixed before we start and includes the red line plan.
- LCV charges an application fee and an annual renewal fee. Both are set in fee units, change every 1 July, and depend on the licence type and risk factors such as hours and capacity.
- Other costs depend on your site: a planning permit for the use, an acoustic report, dealing with objections, or a venue management plan.
- Time costs money too. Rent paid while you wait is often the largest cost of all.
How much does a liquor licence cost in Victoria?
People who ask how much a liquor licence costs in Victoria are usually hoping for one number. There isn't one. The total is made up of a professional fee, the regulator's fees and any extra work your site needs. Some of those you can know on day one. Others depend on where the venue is, how late you want to trade and whether anyone objects.
This article goes through each part so you can build a realistic budget before you sign a lease or commit to an opening date.
What does Plan2Pour charge for a new liquor licence?
Our fee for a new liquor licence starts from $1,199 + GST for a restaurant or café licence, or $1,599 + GST for other licence types. The exact figure depends on the licence type and the venue, and we confirm it on a free 15-minute call. Once it's agreed, it's fixed. You won't get a bill for extra hours.
The fee covers:
- preparing the application from the answers and documents you give us through our online form
- drawing the red line plan in-house
- lodging the application within 10 business days of receiving your documents
- being listed as the agent and primary contact, so LCV deals with us
- handling LCV's correspondence through to a decision, including further information requests, the advertising period and objections.
Nothing is lodged until you've reviewed and approved it. There's more detail on our new liquor licence page.
What is the Liquor Control Victoria application fee?
LCV charges its own application fee, separate from ours. LCV sets its fees in fee units, and the dollar value changes every 1 July. The fee also depends on the type of licence and on risk factors such as your trading hours, your patron capacity and the compliance history of the venue or licensee.
Because the figure moves each year and depends on your application, we don't publish a dollar amount. Check LCV's current fee schedule, or ask us when we prepare your application and we'll tell you what applies at the time.
Is there an annual fee for a liquor licence in Victoria?
Yes. Once your licence is granted, LCV charges an annual renewal fee. Like the application fee, it's set in fee units and based on licence type and risk. A venue trading late with a large capacity will generally pay more than a small café serving wine with meals.
This matters when you decide what to apply for. Asking for later hours or more patrons than you'll ever use can raise your renewal fee every year, not just once. Applying for too little can mean paying for a licence variation later. The aim is a licence that fits how you'll actually trade.
What is a red line plan and does it cost extra?
A red line plan is the plan of your premises showing the boundary of the licensed area, where liquor can be sold and consumed. LCV approves it as part of your licence, and any later change to the licensed area needs a new plan and a variation.
The plan has to be accurate. A plan that doesn't match the floor, or leaves out an outdoor area, can cause delays now and problems later. With us, the red line plan is included in the fee and drawn by our in-house draftsman.
What other costs should I budget for?
These costs don't apply to every venue, but they are the ones that most often change a budget.
A planning permit for the use
Since 1 July 2025, you no longer need a planning permit to sell or consume liquor. But the use of the site, such as a restaurant, bar or hotel, may still need a permit depending on the zone, and building works may need one too. If a permit is needed, allow for council fees, drawings and several months. Our article on whether you need a planning permit for a liquor licence explains how to check.
An acoustic report
If you plan to play music, trade late or sit near homes, you may need an acoustic report from an acoustic consultant. It shows how noise will be managed and often recommends tools such as a noise limiter. The consultant sets their own fee.
Objections
During the 28-day public notice period, Victoria Police, the local council and members of the public can object. We prepare the response as part of managing your application. The real cost of an objection is usually time, and sometimes conditions you'd rather not have, such as shorter hours or extra staff.
A venue management plan
A venue management plan (VMP) sets out how you'll run the venue: staffing, responsible service, noise and how patrons leave. It may be needed for larger or later-trading venues, or if police or LCV ask for one. Our venue management plan page explains what goes in it.
Training and footpath permits
New licensees and nominees must complete LCV's new entrant training, and people serving liquor generally need RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) training. Training providers charge for these. If you want to serve on the footpath, you'll also need council's footpath trading permit, which has its own council fee.
What are the costs people forget?
The most expensive part of a liquor licence is often not a fee. It's time.
If you sign a lease and start paying rent before you know what the site allows, every week of waiting costs you. A straightforward new licence usually takes around 12 weeks from lodgement, if there are no objections and the documents are complete. If the site also needs a planning permit, or someone objects, it can take longer. Our article on how long a liquor licence takes covers each stage.
The other cost people miss is the limits set by the planning permit. If a permit for the use caps hours or patrons, the licence can't go past it. Many operators only find this out after signing, when the venue can't trade the way their business plan assumed.
How can I keep the cost of a liquor licence down?
- Check the site before you sign. Look at the zone and any existing planning permit and its conditions. Our site check does this before you commit.
- Apply for what you'll use. Hours and capacity affect your fees every year.
- Have your documents ready. The sooner we have them, the sooner we can lodge.
- Raise music or late trading early. It's cheaper to plan for an acoustic report than to find out you need one after an objection.
Getting a fixed quote
If you're opening a venue, start with our new liquor licence service, or see all liquor licence types if you're not sure which one fits. Book a 15-minute call and we'll confirm the licence you need and fix our fee before any work starts.
Speak with Jacob
Principal. Twelve years running venues and working inside local government.
The first conversation is free.
Book a 15-minute call(03) 7064 8477We reply within 24 hours.
Questions
How much does a liquor licence cost in Victoria?
It depends on the licence type, the venue and any extra work the site needs. Our fee for a new licence is from $1,199 + GST for a restaurant or café licence, or $1,599 + GST for other licence types, fixed before we start and including the red line plan. Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) then charges its own application fee and an annual renewal fee, set in fee units that change every 1 July. A planning permit, acoustic report or venue management plan can add to the total.
Are LCV's fees included in your fee?
No, Liquor Control Victoria's fees are separate from ours. LCV charges an application fee when you apply and a renewal fee every year after that. Both are set in fee units, change every 1 July and depend on the licence type and risk factors such as trading hours, capacity and compliance history. We'll tell you the fee that applies at the time we prepare your application.
Do I have to pay for my liquor licence every year?
Yes, LCV charges an annual renewal fee to keep your licence in force. The amount depends on your licence type and risk factors, so a late-trading bar with a large capacity will generally pay more than a small café. If you later vary the licence to trade later or take more patrons, your renewal fee can change too, so it's worth applying for what you'll actually use.
Is the red line plan included in the price?
Yes, the red line plan is included in our fee for every licence application. It's the plan showing the boundary of the licensed area, where liquor can be sold and consumed, and LCV approves it as part of your licence. Our in-house draftsman draws it from your plans and the details you give us. Any later change to the licensed area needs a new plan and a variation.