On, Off and Club licence

An on licence allows the sale or supply of alcohol for consumption on your premises.

Examples of premises that require an on licence to sell or supply alcohol include:

• restaurant (includes BYO)
• tavern
• nightclub
• hotel
• cinema or theatre
• function centre
• conveyance such as a boat, bus, plane or train.

An off licence allows the holder to sell or supply alcohol for use off the licensed premises.

Examples of premises that require an on licence to sell or supply alcohol include:

• supermarket
• bottle store
• grocery store
• remote sales premises (online order)
• brewery
• winery.

Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, dairies, petrol stations and convenience stores may not sell alcohol.

Supermarkets and grocery stores are only able to sell beer and wine to the public.

A club license allows a club to sell or supply alcohol for consumption on the premises to:

• club members
• guests accompanied by a club member
• any person who is on the premises at the invitation of an authorised visitor

Holders of a club license must ensure whilst the premises are open for the sale and supply of alcohol, that any alcohol not sold or supplied by the club is not consumed.

The holder of a club license must take all practicable steps to ensure at all times there is an appointed secretary of the club. Any changes of the secretary must be notified to our licensing inspectors within 10 days of appointment.

Any profit from the sale of alcohol must belong to the club.

Apply online using the below form. Please note, an online services account is required to be created or logged into before submitting these applications.

Apply online for a On, Off or Club licence (new or renewal)

Use the relevant checklist to help determine what information you need to supply with your application:
New on licence checklist (PDF, 137KB)
New off licence checklist (PDF, 140KB)
New club licence checklist (PDF, 210KB)

If you have any questions when completing your application, give us a call on 07 3760899.

The alcohol licensing fees are set at a national level by the Government.

Important details to note are:

• An annual fee is payable on the anniversary of your premise licence.
• Licences for premises are based on a cost/risk-based approach for alcohol licensing fees.

Please use the table below to calculate your weighting amount for your premises and then use that to establish which risk category your premises fits into. Once calculated, please refer to the alcohol licensing fees.

Alcohol licensing fees

Cost/risk category framework for alcohol licences

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Definitions

Class 1 restaurants – restaurants with a significant separate bar area which, in the opinion of the relevant TA, operate that bar at least 1 night a week in the nature of a tavern, such as serving alcohol without meals to tables situated in the bar area.

Class 2 restaurants – restaurants that have a separate bar (which may include a small bar area) but which, in the opinion of the relevant TA, do not operate that area in the nature of tavern at any time.

Class 3 restaurants – restaurants that only serve alcohol to the table and do not have a separate bar area.

Class 1 clubs – clubs which, in the opinion of the TA, are large clubs (with 1,000 or more members of purchase age) and which, in the opinion of the relevant TA, operate in the nature of a tavern (for example a large working men's club, combined clubs, or large 'cossie' clubs).

Class 2 clubs – clubs which do not fit class 1 or class 3 definitions (for example larger sports clubs, medium sized RSAs, many provincial social clubs).

Class 3 clubs - clubs which, in the opinion of the TA, are small clubs (with fewer than 250 members of purchase age) and which operate a bar for 40 hours or less per week (for example small sports clubs like bowling clubs, golf clubs, bridge clubs, and small RSAs).

Enforcement – has the same meaning as a “Holding” under section 288 of the Act, or a previous offence for which a holding may have been issued if the offence had occurred before 18 December 2013.

Fee category

The licensing system has five fee categories, which reflect the range of cost/risk ratings.

More information
Ministry of Justice - Fee system for alcohol licensing