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Advice for completing a liquor licence application

Information about how to get your application right the first time and when to apply.

We are currently processing a high volume of applications

Liquor Control Victoria is experiencing a high volume of licensing applications, resulting in extended processing times.

Some applicants are experiencing extended processing times. To improve processing times for your application, please read your application kit carefully and submit all the required documentation.

Get your application right the first time

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When you lodge an application, you must have all the necessary documents. The most common cause for delays is incomplete applications.

If your application has missing or incomplete documents, LCV will write to you and tell you what you must give us. If you do not provide the missing documents within 14 days, your application will be rejected. Application fees are non-refundable.

LCV has put together some general guidance below on how to complete an application and what you must give us before you lodge your application.

Application form

Each licence category has its own application form that you must complete. Your application is not complete if you have left a section blank or provided incomplete documents.

Any sections left blank will result in your application not being progressed until you provide us the required information. If you do not provide the missing documents within 14 days, your application will be rejected.

Application fees are non-refundable.

Application fees

Each application you lodge with LCV has an application fee. Please see our list of application fees page for information.

When to apply

It's important that you lodge your application with plenty of time for assessment. Unforeseen delays can occur through objections and requests for further information.

It is very important that all your application documents are correct and complete, but in some cases, you can lodge early.

Next steps

Once you lodge your application with LCV, we will check it to make sure you have provided all the necessary documents.

If any documents are missing or incomplete, LCV will write to you to tell you what you must provide. If you do not do this with 14 days, your application will be rejected. Application fees are non-refundable.

Once your application is administratively complete, LCV will write to you with the next steps, such as:

  • sending a copy of your application to Victoria Police and your local council for comment
  • telling you the display dates for your public notice
  • asking for further information, if needed

If LCV receives objections to your application, we will notify you in writing.

The average processing time for a liquor licence application is 9-11 weeks. Applications which are considered high risk or that receive objections will take longer.

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Definitions

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