Special licences
A special licence allows you to sell alcohol at events and special occasions. Examples include race meetings, fundraisers, or sports matches.
You’ll also need a special licence if the event is:
- at a venue with a club licence, but you are expecting non-club members to attend the event and drink liquor there
- a ticketed event
- an event where an entry fee is charged and includes an alcoholic drink
- outside the hours or area authorised in an existing on-licence or club licence
- being held in an unlicensed premise or area
We cannot issue a special licence for a BYO event at a public premises or any mode of transportation, such as an aircraft, boat or train.
You do not need a special licence when:
- you are supplying liquor to your guests in your own private residence
- your guests are bringing liquor to your own private residence
Applying for a special licence
You can apply for a special licence through our Do It Online portal.
You need to ensure your application is lodged with the Council no later than 20 working days before the event. Your applications will be considered by the medical officer of health, the police and licensing inspector.
If there are no objections it will be approved. If there are any objections that cannot be resolved, your application will be referred to the District Licensing Committee (DLC) for determination.
How much does it cost?
The cost of a special licence varies, depending on the size of the event and number of events being applied for.
- $63.25 for one or two events covered by the licence that are of a small scale.
- $207 for three to 12 events covered by the licence that are of a small size, or one to three events that are of a medium size.
- $575 for all other special licences, including licences for events of a large size, 13 or more events that are of a small size, or four or more events of a medium size.
Learn more about our fees and charges.
For further information, please call our Regulatory Manager Frances Shepherd, phone 209-0330.
