Club liquor licence

Who it's for

A club liquor licence is the Victorian licence for sporting clubs, RSLs and community clubs that run a bar. Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) issues two kinds: full club and restricted club. We work out which fits, prepare the application, and give the committee a plain summary of what the licence requires.

Committees change over time. That's where most club licensing problems start: the person who knew the conditions moves on.

• A sporting club opening a bar in new or upgraded clubrooms
• An RSL or community club checking its licence still matches how it trades
• A club whose bar has outgrown its hours or area and needs a licence variation
• A new committee that needs to know what the licence requires

Not you? For a one-off function, see the event liquor licence. If the bar is a small sideline, a renewable limited licence may fit.

Committee changing? Before handover, check what the licence requires and what LCV needs to be told.

Finals and functions. If an event goes beyond your licence, a temporary limited licence may cover it. LCV asks for at least eight weeks.

Full club or restricted club licence

The two club licences differ in hours, takeaway and who the bar can serve. A full club licence has set trading hours, lets members buy takeaway, and can serve members, their guests, event attendees and some gaming visitors. A restricted club licence is for drinking at the club only, at hours you apply for, and serves members, their guests and event attendees. We look at your hours, who drinks there on match days and at functions, and whether you sell takeaway, then recommend one. Too small means a variation later; too large can bring conditions you don't use.

What the committee needs to know

LCV encourages Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training for everyone serving at the bar, and some club licences require it by condition. If the club's nominee leaves, LCV must be told, and LCV should have the club's current contact details. The club doesn't need to tell LCV when it changes its rules. Conditions on hours, area and patron numbers apply every day the bar opens, finals included. ComplianceCare keeps the licence, conditions, renewals and training records in one online portal, so the next committee isn't starting from scratch.

How it works

One committee contact, clear sign-off.

1. Call with a committee member We learn about the club and the bar, confirm the licence type and fix our fee.
2. Online form Your contact uploads the club's documents and plans through the client portal.
3. Committee review We prepare the application and the red line plan, showing where liquor can be served. Nothing is lodged until the committee approves it.
4. Lodge to decision We lodge with LCV and deal with LCV, police or council until there's a decision, then give the committee a plain summary of the licence.

Fees and timing

Our fee is fixed before we start. LCV's fees are separate.

Our fee

From $1,599 + GST for a new club licence, red line plan included

Changes to a club licence

Fixed fee, quoted before we start

LCV fees

Set in fee units, updated every 1 July; annual renewal fee applies

Decision

Around 12 weeks from lodgement if straightforward and unopposed

What we need from you

One committee contact makes this simpler.

• Incorporation details and the club's rules or constitution
• Committee members' names and roles
• Floor plan of the clubrooms and outdoor areas
• Bar hours for training, match days and functions
• Existing licence and planning permit, if any

Questions