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Licensee obligations

As a liquor licensee in Victoria you must meet all of your general obligations under the law, including planning, RSA and other training, and your specific liquor licence conditions.

As a licensee or permittee, it is important that you are familiar with the conditions of planning permit and your liquor licence.

Your liquor licence does not override your planning permit conditions, meaning if your planning permit is more restrictive than your licence, you must trade within the conditions of your planning permit.

You must also read your liquor licence carefully as it may have special conditions. You are required to adhere to any special conditions endorsed on your licence, as well as your obligations under the law. Special conditions may include numbers of patrons, security guards, surveillance cameras, management plans or when you may use certain areas of your venue. If you do not adhere to all the conditions of your licence, you are in breach and can be fined.

Acceptable forms of identification

Licensees and their staff need to be vigilant when checking identification (ID).

Responsible alcohol advertising and promotions

Resources are available to help licencees understand responsible advertising and promotion of liquor.

Demerit point and star rating systems for liquor licensing

The demerit point and star rating systems are designed to improve compliance with liquor laws and encourage responsible industry practices.

Management plans for supplying liquor

Having a management plan in place will help you minimise the risk of harm from the supply of liquor.

Supplying liquor to a person who makes an off-premises request

Obligations on licensees regarding the supply of packaged liquor to a person who makes an off-premises (mail, email, telephone, web/internet or other electronic communication) request.

Understanding the risks and harms associated with liquor

As a liquor licensee or permittee in Victoria, it’s important that you understand the risks and harms that can come from the supply of liquor.

Free water for patrons

Licensed venues that supply alcohol for consumption on-site are required to provide free drinking water.

Drink spiking

Liquor licensees have a responsibility to provide a safe venue for patrons. Both licensees and staff should watch out for drink spiking.

Liquor fees and fines

Liquor fees are charged for licence applications, and fines may be imposed for breaches of liquor laws.

Managing intoxicated patrons

It is an offence for a licensee or permittee to supply liquor to a person in a state of intoxication. It is also an offence to permit drunken or disorderly persons to be on any licensed premises.

Planned inspections of liquor licensed premises

Liquor Control Victoria's compliance inspectors monitor licensed premises throughout Victoria to ensure that licensees are compliant with their liquor licence conditions.

Trading on Good Friday, Anzac Day and New Year's Eve

Trading hours on Good Friday, Anzac Day and New Year's Eve vary for different liquor licences.

Late night liquor trading

Selected liquor licence categories can apply to extend their hours of trading to 1am.

Red line plan for licensed premises

Liquor licensees need to define the area they want liquor to be supplied and consumed. This is shown by a red line drawn on a plan of the premises - a red line plan. 

Print my liquor signage

Signs are useful for notifying staff and customers of their legal requirements and the fines for breaking liquor laws.

Under-18 patrons on licensed premises

The legal drinking age in Victoria is 18 years. It's illegal to supply alcohol to underage people on licensed premises and a minor to be on licensed premises to purchase or consume alcohol.

Wholesale liquor data reporting

Some liquor licensees are legally required to report their wholesale liquor sales data each year.

Security in licensed venues

Liquor licensees need to be aware of licence conditions they may have for security cameras and crowd controllers.

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