It's important to apply for and get a liquor licence to sell alcohol in most situations in NSW.
A liquor licence ensures that the sale and supply of alcohol is regulated to promote responsible consumption and minimise harm.
The following guidance is provided by Liquor & Gaming NSW.
Who can apply
Are you applying for a new liquor licence in NSW?
This is for new applicants or for applicants that want to add an additional licence.
In the steps below, you can learn if a liquor licence is suitable or required for your business.
How to apply
Check if you need a liquor licence
Determine if your business activities require a liquor licence.
Some situations, like BYO restaurants, may not need a licence but still have specific responsibilities.
If you think you may not need a licence, see:
If you may or do need a licence:
- Go to the next step where you can access the licence selector tool.
Find what type of liquor licence you need
Use the licence selector tool
Understanding and selecting what licence your business or event needs can be a complex and difficult process to navigate. Use the licence selector tool to help you find the most appropriate liquor licence type for your business or event. Common types include:
- Small bar licence: For premises with up to 120 patrons.
- On-premises licence: For businesses where another product or service is the primary purpose. For example, a restaurant serving alcohol.
- Hotel licence: Broad permissions including on-premises consumption, gaming, and takeaway.
- Packaged liquor licence: For selling alcohol to be consumed off the premises. For example, a bottle shop.
The Find your licence tool asks questions about the business or event activities you intend to offer. Depending on your responses, the tool will direct you to the NSW liquor licence type that best fits your needs.
Find your licence by business activities
Find your liquor licence by business type
Helpful tips
- Have a clear understanding of what your business or event offers as the primary product or service. For example, will food or alcohol be the primary product?
- Consider the needs of the business both now and in the future to ensure the licence type grows with your business
- Consider if your business type and the activities offered in your venue could make you eligible to apply for more than one liquor licence type. For example, a tapas restaurant could consider applying for an on-premises, small bar, or general bar liquor licence.
Learn more about different types of liquor licences
NSW liquor laws have the potential for businesses to customise their liquor licence and apply for an increase in flexibility on how the licence may be operated to allow for conditions such as extended trading hours. This is done by applying for relevant authorisations and exemptions.
You can find out more about key features and customising your license on each licence information page:
Development approval (DA)
See your relevant licence information page (previous step) to see if you need to obtain development approval from your local council before applying for a new licence.
Prepare required documents
Check under your relevant licence type page (see list in step 4) what you need to submit with your application:
- Gather necessary documents such as a recent National Police Check, ASIC company extracts, and completed Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and licensee training.
- Check if you need to prepare a Statement of Risks and Potential Effects (SoRPE). Some applications require a SoRPE to be submitted along with your application.
- Check for a conditions form related to your licence.
Lodge the application
Submit your complete application online.
You can help us speed up the process by:
- Providing all the correct information at the time you apply.
- Responding to our request for missing information as soon as possible after we contact you.
Notify stakeholders
After lodging your application, you are generally required to notify certain stakeholders of your application. Liquor & Gaming NSW will also notify several government agencies as part of this process.
This step ensures that all relevant parties are informed and have the opportunity to provide feedback on your application.
The specific stakeholders that must be notified depend on the type of application (See Step 4, your individual licence type pages).
Stakeholders may include NSW Police, Local consent authority, Occupiers of buildings within 50 or 100 metres of the proposed licensed premises depending on the type of application.
Learn more on our Notifying stakeholders page.
Noticeboard consultation
Your application will be advertised for up to 30 days (14 days if a straightforward restaurant with no authorisations). This is to allow community, local police, and government agencies to comment.
You can use the Liquor & Gaming NSW application noticeboard to search for current liquor and gaming-related licence applications by suburb, postcode, or local government area in NSW
This tool allows you to see the progress of your application and any community feedback it has received.
Determination
After the consultation period, your application will be reviewed and determined.
The approval time for a liquor licence can vary depending on several factors. Generally, a fully completed application will be determined within seven working days if all required information is provided.
However, if additional information is needed or if there are community objections, the process can take up to 12 weeks.
What to expect
Once a decision has been made, the decision will be published by Liquor & Gaming NSW, regardless of the outcome.
If the application is successful
If your application is successful, and the case is considered as reviewable, you will be notified.
You will then need to stay up to date with your licence responsiblities, remember to renew your licence, and find out how to manage your licence.
If the application is rejected
If your application is rejected, you will receive a detailed explanation of the reasons for the decision. Carefully review this information to understand the grounds for rejection.
You can request a review of the decision by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA). This review can be requested for decisions made by the Secretary under the gaming and liquor legislation.
To apply for a review, you need to submit an application form to ILGA. This form can be downloaded from the ILGA website.
Appeals must generally be made within 28 days of the decision being published. Ensure you submit your appeal within this timeframe.
A fee may apply for the review process. Check the specific requirements and ensure you include the fee with your application.