Processing your application

Once your application has been received with Council it will be checked to make sure the required documentation has been provided, and the application fee paid. If your application is missing information, we will be in contact with you.

Once your application is complete, it will be lodged into our system, and you will receive a letter confirming this with the application number noted on it. If you need to enquire about your application at any time, please reference this number. 

Reporting on your application

Once lodged, your application will be provided to relevant agencies (like Police and the Medical Officer of Health) for reporting. These agencies have 15 working days to inquire into your application and lodge a report with the DLC.

Your application will also be provided to a Licensing Inspector to report on. Usually, their reporting will be completed once the agency reports have been received, or once the 15 working day timeframe has expired.

Publicly notifying your application - On, Off, and Club Licences

All applications for an on, off, or club licence (and their renewals) are required to be publicly notified. The public notice will be uploaded onto our Alcohol Public Notices page. A copy of the notice must also be displayed at the principal entrance of your premises where it can easily be seen by the public.

Anyone who wishes to lodge an objection to the granting of your alcohol licence then has 25 working days to lodge their objection with the DLC.

Click here to view applicable fees related to publicly notifying your application.

Determining your application

When all public notice and reporting periods have expired and the Licensing Inspector has completed their report, your application and all related documentation will be forwarded to the DLC for them to make a decision on whether to grant the licence.

If there are public objections or opposition from agencies or the Licensing Inspector, the DLC may choose to hold a hearing to help determine your application. We will be in contact with you if any objections or oppositions are received.

If the DLC decides to grant your licence it will be posted to you along with a copy of the decision and the Licensing Inspector's report.

Processing timeframes

  • On, off and club licence applications - minimum of 8 weeks
  • Special licence applications - minimum of 20 working days. In the case of large events, minimum of 3 months
  • Temporary Authorities - minimum of 8 weeks

When there are public objections or opposition from agencies or the Licensing Inspector to an application, timeframes can be much longer.

   

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