Restaurants, clubs and party or commercial bus operators are generally the businesses that apply for a BYO permit.
These businesses do not want to supply or sell alcohol on their premises, but instead want to allow their customers to bring their own alcohol to drink.
There are 2 types of BYO permits that can be applied for in Victoria:
- BYO permit (restaurants and clubs)
- BYO permit (party buses).
Both permit types are outlined below. Apply for the one that best meets your needs.
If your venue already has a liquor licence you do not also need a BYO permit to let customers BYO liquor to your venue.
BYO permit for restaurants or clubs
Apply for this permit if you are a restaurant or club that does not intend to sell liquor to your customers. You want to allow your customers to bring their own liquor for consumption on your premises.
Applicants should specify their trading hours when completing their permit application.
BYO permit for party buses
Apply for this permit if you are a commercial or party bus operator who does not intend to sell or provide liquor to customers. Instead you want to allow customers to bring their own alcohol to drink on the bus.
The BYO permit is for commercially operated buses that take pre-bookings and also:
- operate at night between 8pm and 5am (regardless of the time of passenger pick-up)
- operate in a designated area or for the purpose of carrying passengers travelling to or from visiting a designated area.
Applicants must:
- submit a management plan aimed at reducing alcohol-related harms associated with party bus activities
- adhere to a code of conduct that complies with the standards of patron and operator behaviour expected by Liquor Control Victoria (LCV).
Code of Conduct Bus Operators
There is a Code of Conduct Bus Operators.
LCV has the discretion to impose conditions on a BYO permit to reduce any risks.
Apply for your licence
To apply for a BYO liquor permit, submit your application above. The online form contains instructions on how to submit your application. For more advice on what documents you will need to complete your application, visit advice for completing a liquor licence application.
Please lodge your liquor licence application at least 9-11 weeks in advance. The time taken to process your application will vary depending on a range of factors, including the complexity of the application and any objections which may be raised.
Information needed in your application
As you prepare your application you need to gather the following information:
- local council planning permission
- confirmation of trading hours
- red line plan (except party buses).
Local council planning permission
Before starting your business activities, you should contact your relevant local council about their planning requirements. Your local council will be able to guide you in what they need and the suitability of your business for the local area and location.
Applications for a new liquor licence do not require a planning permit for the sale and consumption of liquor. But you may still need planning approval for other reasons.
In your liquor licence application to us, you need to provide one of the following:
- written confirmation from your local council as to whether you require a planning permit for the use and development of the land. This may be either a planning permit (if you have one) or letter
- LCV branded planning document
If you do not submit one of these documents, it may cause delays in your application.
Trading hours
No set trading hours apply. You should specify the hours you want to trade in your application form.
This will be assessed in the context of your business activities.
Red line plan
If you are applying for a BYO permit for a restaurant or club you must give us a copy of your red line plan.
Your red line plan defines the area where alcohol can be controlled and consumed. This plan needs to be included in your application. The red line plan page has information on how to create and change your plan.
Application fees
There are costs associated with applying for your permit. Please see the Fees and charges page for information.
When you have your permit
If your application is successful you are then obliged to abide by the terms of your BYO permit.
Information on how to be compliant is on the Licensee obligations section.
You can also change, transfer or give up your licence.
Selling alcohol and one-off events
Restaurants, clubs and party buses that want to supply alcohol, whether for sale or included in a ticket price, need to get a liquor licence.
If it is a one-off event you can apply for a temporary limited licence.
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