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Licensing 101

Learn about the different alcohol licences and what they cover.

Manager's certificate

Anyone intending on being a manager of licensed premises such as a bar, supermarket, hotel, tavern or a club will need to apply for a manager's certificate.

You'll need someone with a manager's certificate to be on the premises any time you plan to sell alcohol.

You also need to tell us when you either hire or dismiss a certificated manager at your premises.

All applicants must be at least 20 years of age and it is expected that they will have a minimum 6 months experience working in the style of premises for which the certificate is being sought.

Alcohol licences for premises

There are four main types of alcohol licence. Each has different application criteria. Find out which type applies to you:

On-licence

On-licences allow for the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol on the premises. This includes hotels, taverns, bars, cafes, restaurants and other entertainment venues.

Off-licence

Off-licences allow for the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises. This includes bottle stores and supermarkets.

Club licence

Club licences allow for the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption on the club premises to members of the club, their guests and other ‘authorised visitors’.

Special licence

On-site special licences allow for the sale and supply of alcohol to anyone attending an event. This can include a private function, street party or sporting event. A special licence can also be issued to an on or club licensee for an event not covered by their premises licence.

Off-site special licences allow for the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption away from the event at which it was bought.

Temporary authority

When a premises changes ownership the new owner can apply for a temporary authority. These allow a new owner/operator of a premises which already holds a current alcohol licence to continue trading as a licensed premises while they apply for their own. The temporary authority will be subject to existing conditions and is only valid for 3 months.

Please remember: you must apply for a permanent alcohol licence within 15 days of your temporary authority being granted.