Who it's for
If you're looking for a live music permit for a venue in Victoria, the answer usually sits in three places: your planning permit, your liquor licence and the noise rules. This page is for venues that want to start or expand live music or DJs.
- You want bands, DJs or amplified music
- Your permit or licence limits music, hours or when doors must close
- Your licence requires crowd controllers whenever there's music
- Neighbours have complained
Not you? Dealing with complaints right now? See noise complaints.
Three sets of rules for music
Your planning permit. Permits often carry conditions on music, hours and closing doors and windows. Clause 53.06, which deals with live music entertainment venues and the "agent of change", applies to some venues. If a music condition was there only because of liquor, in our view it may no longer bind. See old liquor conditions on your permit.
Your liquor licence. Crowd controller conditions are typically tied to music above background level or late trading. Changing them means a liquor licence variation with Liquor Control Victoria (LCV).
The noise rules. Music noise from venues is regulated under the EPA's noise framework, and council also deals with complaints.
Noise conditions on a licensed venue
For amenity, a noise limiter condition is often a better answer than crowd controllers. Crowd controllers deal with people. A noise limiter deals with the sound reaching neighbours. Where the issue is volume, we propose conditions that control volume.
DJs and the "entertainment licence"
Whether you can have DJs is mainly set by your liquor licence and planning permit conditions, plus the noise rules.
Acoustic reports
An acoustic report recommends what keeps noise within limits: a limiter setting, sealing, speaker placement or a door routine. It turns an argument about noise into numbers.
A noise limiter is often the better answer. For amenity, it often does more than crowd controllers, because it controls the sound itself.
How it works
Most live music matters follow four steps.
- 15-minute call Tell us what music you want and when. We fix the fee.
- We read your permit and licence We tell you what's allowed now and what needs changing.
- We prepare the applications A licence variation, a permit amendment or both. You sign off before anything is lodged.
- We lodge and manage it We deal with council and LCV and negotiate conditions such as a noise limiter, through to a decision.
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.
Fees and timing
Our fee is fixed and quoted before we start. Timing depends on which approvals change, and on objections.
- Our fee
- Fixed fee, quoted before we start
- Acoustic report
- Paid separately, if needed
- Licence variation
- LCV's guidance for some variations is 9–11 weeks. Actual times vary and can be much longer.
- Permit amendment
- 60 statutory days; the clock pauses for further information and notice
What we need from you
To assess your venue, we'll ask for:
- Your liquor licence, red line plan and planning permit
- What music you want: bands or DJs, which days, until when
- Where the speakers and stage would go
- Any complaints, notices or existing acoustic report
Questions
Do I need a permit for live music at my venue?
Often you don't need a new permit, but your existing planning permit and liquor licence must allow it. Check both for conditions on music, hours and closing doors and windows. Clause 53.06 applies to some live music venues. If music becomes the main activity, such as a nightclub, that can be a different use in planning terms, and it may need its own permit depending on the zone.
What is an acoustic report and do I need one?
An acoustic report is a study by an acoustic consultant of how much noise from your venue reaches neighbours, and what's needed to keep it within limits. You'll usually need one if you're asking council or LCV for louder music or later hours near homes, or if there have been complaints. It gives everyone the same numbers to work from.
What is a noise limiter?
A noise limiter is a device connected to your sound system that stops the music going above a set level, usually one set from an acoustic report. It's a common condition on licences and permits, and for amenity it's often a better answer than crowd controllers. Staff can't turn the volume past the limit, and it's easy to show an inspector.
Can neighbours stop live music at my venue?
Not directly, but they can make it harder. Neighbours can complain to council, the EPA or LCV, and can object when you apply to change your licence or permit. Where clause 53.06 applies, the agent of change principle puts responsibility on whoever arrives second: a new or expanding live music venue must deal with its noise to existing homes nearby, and new homes built near an existing venue must protect themselves from its noise. Good records and a noise limiter help.