Community liquor permit
- What is a community liquor permit?
- How long do community liquor permit applications take to process?
- Is there a time limit on when I need to apply?
- What is an Event Management Plan and when is it required?
- Is there a restriction on the hours that I can sell liquor?
- What if my event is in a public place?
- What is a liquor consumption area?
- Do I need to provide security at my event?
- Do I need to employ staff with Responsible Service of Alcohol certification?
- Do I need a permit for a private party?
- Can children/minors attend an event where alcohol is being served/sold?
- Can I obtain a permit to sell liquor online?
What is a community liquor permit?
Community liquor permits are required by unlicensed organisations who wish to sell or supply liquor on a temporary or one-off occasion. These permits are often used for school fetes, rodeos and sporting events in Queensland only.
Organisations that apply for community liquor permits include:
- parent and citizen associations
- non-proprietary clubs
- theatre groups
- not-for-profit organisations.
BYO (bring your own) alcohol is not permitted in conjunction with a community liquor permit.
How can I apply?
The following lodgement methods are available;
1. online at www.olgr.qld.gov.au (payment methods include – credit card, BPay, cheque, money order);
2. in-person; or
3. by post.
If you don't wish to apply online, download the paper-based Community Liquor Permit (Form 7) (PDF 530 K) and deliver it in-person or post it to your nearest branch of OLGR.
How much does it cost?
The application fee is $55.15 per day. If you are applying for multiple dates, then please pay this fee for each date.
Who is eligible to apply?
A community liquor permit may only be granted to an individual over the age of 18 on behalf of a non-proprietary club, organisation or association. A person or commercial operation cannot obtain a permit to make money for themselves.
Individuals or commercial operations can apply for a permit provided the profit from the sale of liquor is being donated to a registered charity or organisation. Authorisation from the charity/organisation must be obtained and noted on the application.
How long do community liquor permit applications take to process?
Community liquor permit applications are generally processed within a week. Where information or supporting documentation is outstanding or if the application is deemed high risk, processing time may take longer.
Is there a time limit on when I can apply?
Applications must be lodged at least 21 days prior to the event date. Event organisers are strongly encouraged to submit their applications to OLGR as early as possible to ensure there is sufficient time for discussion and negotiation of suitable trading conditions for their event.
Lodging an application does not automatically mean it will be approved. Advertising or promoting your event before a decision has been made is done so at the applicant's own risk.
How do I receive my permit?
If your application is approved, a copy of the permit will be emailed to you. You must prominently display the permit for the duration of the event or function. How and where you display the permit is at your discretion, unless otherwise stated.
What is an Event Management Plan and when is it required?
Experience has shown that the management of a successful event requires a detailed planning and consultation process. The Event Management Plan (PDF 1,850 K)(PDF1.8mb) is a document designed to assist event organisers through the planning process of a high risk event.
You will be required to complete an Event Management Plan and provide it to an OLGR Officer or Queensland Police Officer upon request prior to, during, or after the event has taken place if any of the following criteria apply to your event:
- estimated attendance throughout any particular day exceeds 2000 people
- estimated patrons consuming liquor throughout any particular day exceeds 1000 people
- the application includes a request to supply liquor between 12 midnight and 10 am
- the application includes a request for liquor consumption area/s totalling more than 400 square metres.
Event managers need to be aware that the provision and consumption of alcohol must be carefully considered when organising an event. Ineffective alcohol management, particularly irresponsible serving practices, can create risks for staff, event patrons and the public. The Event Management Plan focuses on the issues which, if handled correctly, can improve the quality and safety of public events.
Is there a restriction on the hours I can sell liquor?
Standard trading hours are between 10am to 12 midnight.
Police endorsement is required if you wish to apply to trade between 12 midnight and 10 am. In this case, you must contact the Officer-in-Charge of the local police station to obtain their endorsement prior to lodging your application with OLGR. Police may provide endorsement by telephone or may require you to print and submit your application in person for endorsement.
Visit the Police website (www.police.qld.gov.au) to find contact details of the police station responsible for the location in which the event will be held. You will be required to provide details of the Officer-in-Charge you obtained endorsement from, their station, telephone number and date endorsement was provided.
Community liquor permit trading hours cannot extend beyond 12 midnight on the days immediately prior to Good Friday, Anzac Day and Christmas Day.
What if my event is going to be held in a public place?
If your event or function is to be held in a public place or a venue controlled by your local council (e.g. local park, community centre) you must obtain prior approval from the relevant council. Council may provide endorsement by telephone or may require you to print and submit your application in person for endorsement.
Visit the Department of Infrastructure and Planning website (www.dip.qld.gov.au) to find contact details of your local council. You will be required to provide details of the Council representative you obtained endorsement from. This person must be authorised to provide comment on behalf of Council.
What is a liquor consumption area?
The consumption of liquor at your event must take place within a designated area containing one or multiple serving points and clearly defined by the following:
- If the consumption area is to be located outdoors, then it should be defined by temporary/permanent fencing of at least one metre in height (please note: chalk marking or signage only is not acceptable). Examples of outdoor consumptions areas may include – next to clubhouse, adjoining school hall, located on the northern side of sporting field etc.
- If the consumption area is located within the bounds of a room or building, then you will be required to indicate the name of the building/hall. Examples of indoor consumption areas may include – community recreation centre, conference room, school/assembly hall, multi-purpose room etc.
Measurements of the consumption area/s must be provided in your application. If more than one consumption area is required, patrons cannot move between consumption areas while in possession of liquor unless the areas are joined. Adequate signage indicating the extent of the consumption area and that liquor is not to be removed from the consumption area must be displayed at all times during the permitted trading hours.
Do I need to provide security at my event?
Providing adequate security/crowd controllers at your event will assist minimising the risks which the event organiser/permittee is responsible for. The number of security providers required is assessed on the level of risk associated with the type of event, patron numbers and the length of trading hours. Volunteer security is also an option for lower risk events.
As a general rule, OLGR recommends the following minimum security ratio:
The number of crowd controllers prescribed for premises is the number stated for the following number of patrons of the premises -
- not more than 100 patrons - 1;
- more than 100 but not more than 200 patrons - 2;
- more than 200 but not more than 300 patrons - 3;
- more than 300 but not more than 400 patrons - 4;
- more than 400 but not more than 500 patrons - 5;
- more than 500 patrons - 5, plus at least 1 crowd controller for each 250 patrons, or part of 250, more than 500.
Do I need to employ staff with Responsible Service of Alcohol certification?
The permittee must take reasonable steps to ensure that any volunteer staff involved in the service or supply of liquor is under the general supervision of a person holding a current Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training certificate.
Can I raffle liquor?
Liquor can be offered as a prize only if it has a retail value less than $1,000. If conducting a raffle and ticket sales are going to exceed $20,000 an art union licence from OLGR is required. Please contact OLGR on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) if you think you will require an art union licence.
Do I need a permit for a private party?
You do not need a permit to hold a private party provided:
- liquor is supplied free of charge;
- there is no cover charge;
- you will not derive a direct or indirect financial benefit; and
- liquor is not supplied to gain or keep custom or other commercial advantage.
Can children/minors attend an event where liquor is being supplied?
Yes, as long as that minor is in the company of a responsible adult at all times.
Can I obtain a permit to sell liquor online?
The Queensland Liquor Act 1992 does not have provision to allow the sale of liquor on a one-off or temporary basis on internet sites such as eBay. Advertisements or listings you may have seen on online auction sites may have been approved through another State.
If we have a Community Other licence, can we apply for a community liquor permit for the same licensed area to allow general public to attend?
Yes. In addition to the community liquor permit application, you will need to submit a Temporary Change in Licensed Area (Form 16) (PDF 45 K)(PDF 40kb) application requesting to decrease the licensed area covered by your Community Other licence. Both applications need to be submitted at the same time.
Guidelines
Guideline 33: High-risk community and commercial public events
Last reviewed 20 July 2011