On this page
Who it's for
A packaged liquor licence is the Victorian licence for selling liquor that customers take away and drink somewhere else. It's the bottle shop licence, issued by Liquor Control Victoria (LCV). We prepare the application, draw the red line plan in-house and deal with LCV until a decision is made.
- You're opening a bottle shop, small or large format.
- You run a grocer, deli or providore and want a liquor section.
- You want to sell online as well as over the counter.
Not you? Buying an existing bottle shop needs a licence transfer. If customers will drink on site, see the general liquor licence.
Check the site before you sign. The planning permit for a building can limit what a licence there can ever be. We read it before you commit.
Packaged, remote seller's or pre-retail: which licence fits?
A packaged liquor licence suits a shop customers walk into and buy from to take away. A remote seller's licence is built for online or phone orders delivered to customers. A pre-retail licence is for wholesale to other licensees. If you make the liquor yourself, start with a producer's licence.
Delivery, large stores and objections
Liquor sold online and delivered carries delivery rules and reporting obligations, set by a Ministerial Order, on top of your licence conditions. A bottle shop over 750 m² also needs a community impact assessment, so we check your floor area early.
Most new packaged liquor applications are advertised with a public notice at the site for 28 days. Victoria Police and the council can object, and members of the public can object on amenity grounds. We prepare the responses and, where it helps, negotiate conditions. See objections to your application.
The planning side
Since 1 July 2025 you don't need a planning permit to sell liquor in Victoria. The shop itself may still need one, depending on the zone. We check the address before you commit to a lease.
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.
How it works
Four steps from first call to decision.
- Book a 15-minute call We confirm the licence type, check your floor area and fix our fee.
- Fill in our online form Answer questions and upload documents through your client portal, from any device.
- Review and sign off We prepare the application and the red line plan, the plan showing the licensed area of the shop. Nothing is lodged until you approve it.
- We lodge and manage it We lodge within 10 business days of receiving your documents and deal with LCV, police or council until there's a decision.
Fees and timing
Our fee is fixed and agreed before we start. LCV's fees are separate.
- Our fee
- From $1,599 + GST, red line plan included
- LCV fees
- Set in fee units, updated every 1 July; based on licence type and risk factors such as hours and capacity
- Public notice
- 28 days at the site, then a signed Statement of Display
- Decision
- Around 12 weeks from lodgement if documents are complete and there are no objections
What we need from you
Most of this goes straight into our online form.
- Shop address, floor plan and floor area
- Proposed trading hours
- Business details, including directors
- Whether you'll sell online or deliver
- New entrant training certificate (LCV's course for new licensees)
Questions
What is a packaged liquor licence?
A packaged liquor licence lets a business sell liquor for customers to take away and drink somewhere else. It's the licence bottle shops hold in Victoria, and grocers and delis use it when they add a liquor section. It doesn't cover drinking on site; that needs a different licence, such as a general licence. A store over 750 m² also needs a community impact assessment.
Do I need a licence to sell alcohol online?
Yes, selling liquor online in Victoria needs a licence, and which one depends on how your business is set up. A business that mainly sells online or by phone and delivers may need a remote seller's licence. A packaged liquor licence covers selling in a physical store or online, so a bottle shop adding online orders may already be covered. Either way, delivery rules and reporting apply, and ComplianceCare can handle that reporting once you're trading.
Can a restaurant sell takeaway alcohol?
It depends on the licence the restaurant holds. A general licence covers liquor consumed on and off the premises, so takeaway is part of it. A restaurant and café licence is built around liquor served with meals, but it can also allow a limited amount of packaged liquor, such as a bottle of wine or a six-pack, with takeaway or delivered meals until 11 pm. You need to tell LCV you want to do this. If your licence doesn't cover takeaway, a licence variation to change the category may be the simplest path. We check what your licence allows before you start selling.
How long does a packaged liquor licence take?
Allow around 12 weeks from lodgement for a straightforward application with complete documents and no objections. We lodge within 10 business days of receiving your documents, and the 28-day public notice runs inside that period. Objections, further information requests and LCV's workload can all add time, so we give you a realistic range, not a decision date. We keep you updated at each stage.