JavaScript is required
decorative

Transfer your liquor licence

Transfer your licence or permit to another person or entity.

Apply at least 8 weeks before you want the change to take effect.

You must not supply alcohol until:

  • we grant your transfer
  • you have the legal right to occupy the venue.

Significant penalties apply if you trade without a licence or do not comply with your licence conditions.

You can apply to transfer a liquor licence or permit into your name. This usually happens if you:

  • buy a business that already has a licence or permit
  • take over a licensed venue.

The person or entity taking over the licence or permit normally applies for the transfer.

It may be better to have your name endorsed on the licence instead of transferring it if you are an:

  • owner (and you are intending to find a new tenant to run the business)
  • mortgagee
  • liquidator or administrator.

Application fee

You need to pay a non-refundable application fee when you apply to transfer a licence or permit.

The fee is $252.20.

Read about liquor licence annual renewal fees.

Before you apply

Complete these steps before you start your application.

Apply now

Complete the application form on the Liquor Portal.

It takes about 45 minutes to complete.

Apply now

After you apply

We will email to acknowledge your application, including a receipt for your application fee.

We will then review your application and email if we need more information. This may take a few weeks.

We send your application to Victoria Police. They have a month to object to the transfer if they have concerns. Victoria Police may contact you about your application.

Declare the right to occupy premises (if needed)

If you did not have the right to occupy premises when you applied, and you have it now, you need to tell us using one of these 2 forms.

If we have not yet granted your transfer, use the Declaration of right to occupy the premises form:

Declaration – right to occupy
PDF 151.75 KB
(opens in a new window)

If we have already granted your transfer, use the Notice of right to occupy the premises form:

Notice of right to occupy the premises
PDF 167.52 KB
(opens in a new window)

In both situations, you must tell us within 24 hours of settling the lease agreement or property sale.

Email the relevant form to contact@liquor.vic.gov.au.

When you get your decision

It can take about 5 to 7 weeks to get your decision.

It may take longer if Victoria Police objected to the transfer or we needed to ask for more information.

Updated