Apply for a temporary limited licence

You should specify the hours you want to operate in your application form.

Note that if you're seeking to trade past 1am, we require a minimum of 50 days to process the application. You may be required to display a public notice at the venue for 28 days. Victoria Police and the local council may review your application.

If you're seeking to trade past 1am in the municipalities of City of Yarra, City of Port Phillip, City of Melbourne (including Docklands), or City of Stonnington, you're also required to satisfy the VCGLR that:

• your event is one of a significant cultural festival, a major tourist event, New Year's Eve, a major live music event, or a major charity event
• the relevant local council supports your application
• there is a venue management plan in place, see Management plan fact sheet (PDF, 140.82 KB).

For more information, see late night freeze.

If you would like to apply for a temporary limited licence to run an event (such as a fete or fundraising event) at a school, make sure you apply under the right organisation/entity. You should apply under the entity (organisation) that will be responsible for the purchase, supply and sale of the liquor and who will be receiving the funds raised.

For example, if the “ ABC Kindergarten Association Inc“ or the “Friends of Animals Charity Inc” is applying to run an event at the ABC Primary School, the licence should be applied for by (in the name of) the “ABC Kindergarten Association Inc” or the “Friends of Animals Charity Inc”. On the other hand, if ABC Primary School is running the event on its own behalf, it should apply under the name “ABC Primary School”. 
 

The following restrictions apply to the issuing of temporary limited licences:

• a person or organisation may apply for temporary licences to cover a maximum of six one-off events at a venue over a 12-month period
• a maximum of three events will be accepted per application
• where an application is made for a series of events over a limited season, the season must extend for no longer than three months
• an applicant must have the right to occupy the premises during the event or season nominated
• a winery or boutique brewer (PDF, 204.65 KB) may apply for a temporary limited licence to attend and sell wine at up to 12 farmer's or craft markets in any one year under the one licence.

A temporary limited licence can't be granted for events held at a premises used primarily by people under the age of 18 years. For example, indoor play centres.

A major event licence applies to events that are likely to have a significant impact, such as those:

• where you expect a large crowd (over 5000 patrons) to attend
• requiring significant regulatory enforcement effort or oversight
• having a significant impact on the provision and organisation of public transport or emergency services
• having a significant impact on public safety and/or the amenity of the area in which the event is to be held.

For more information see Apply for a major event licence (Event with more than 5000).

Licensed venues that supply alcohol for consumption onsite are required to provide free drinking water to their patrons. It will be left to the discretion of the licensee how water is supplied.

Failure to supply free drinking water will attract substantial fines. For more information, see Free water for patrons.

Online

If you have a credit card, you may apply via the temporary limited licence online form.

Applications can be made from mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, as well as traditional computers, anytime. All information transmitted via the portal is encrypted and secure.

Applications for a limited licence should still be lodged at least eight weeks before the event, as lodging an application doesn't automatically mean it will be approved. Certain applications need to be reviewed by Victoria Police and local councils, which have their own time frames.

If you would like a copy of any of these documents in a more accessible format, please submit an enquiry via the contact us form.

Renewable limited licences authorise the supply of liquor where the scale and scope of the supply is substantially restricted or limited.

For information about the application fees associated with temporary limited licences can be found in the Liquor licence fee fact sheet. (PDF, 316.6 KB)