How to Apply for Packaged Liquor Licences in New South Wales

Perhaps you’re looking to start an online liquor store or a bottle shop? You probably know there’s a good amount of legal hurdles to jump through to do so, but what are they? This article sets out the requirements involved in applying for a packaged liquor licence as well as the key considerations associated with making a successful application. Applicants that wish to obtain a packaged liquor licence must correctly complete, collate and submit a package of prescribed and supporting documents. A failure to do so will result in the application denied.

Is a Packaged Liquor Licence Right For Me?

There are many types of liquor licences. A packaged liquor licence enables the licensee to sell takeaway alcohol from the following locations:

• Licensed premises through a bottle shop;
• Licensed premises via home delivery;
• Licensed premises via mail order; and/or
• Licensed premises via an e-commerce facility (internet).

The licence is limited to the sale of “takeaway” liquor. This limitation means that the licensed premises may only sell packaged liquor to the public for consumption away from the venue. However, the public may conduct tastings on the premises.

Community Impact Statement Notice

Before applying for and being granted a packaged liquor licence, the applicant must prepare and submit a Community Impact Statement Notice.

The Notice is a form that notifies local stakeholders of the applicant’s intention to apply for the licence. The Notice must be filed with the local council and police.

If the premises are located within 500 meters of another council district, the applicant must also provide the form to that council. The applicant must also affix a copy of the Notice to the door of the premises nominated in the Notice, and they must distribute it to the surrounding neighbours within a 100-meter radius.

The Notice must remain advertised for a prescribed period of no less than 30 days.

Discussions With Stakeholders

During the Notice period, stakeholders may submit queries and concerns to the applicant. Should the applicant receive opposition to the proposed application, they should engage in meaningful discussions with local stakeholders to reach a mutually amicable solution.

Category A (CIS)

After the Notice period has expired (30 days from the filing and advertising of the Notice), an applicant must complete and file a Community Impact Statement Category A (CIS).

A CIS is a summary that sets out the potential harm that the proposed licences may have on surrounding stakeholders. Liquor & Gaming NSW will assess this risk of harm by examining concerns (if any) raised in respect of the application during the Notice period and how the applicant has mitigated or resolved this.

The CIS is available on the Liquor & Gaming NSW website here.

Packaged Liquor Licence Application Package

Usually, the application package comprises of:

• The Packaged Liquor Licence Application
• The application fee, which at present is $2,000.00;
• The Community Impact Statement; and
• Any relevant ancillary documents (e.g. a plan of the proposed licensed premises, local council development consent or approval, a national police certificate, relevant RSA certificates, notice of appointment of a manager (if required), etc.)

All relevant documents that make up the application package must be posted or emailed to Liquor & Gaming NSW, and upon request to local stakeholders (e.g. the police).

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If you would like more information about applying for a packaged liquor licence or if you have other liquor licensing queries, get in touch on 1300 544 755.