Off Licence

Off Licence

An off-licence allows the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises.

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act specifies which types of premises can have an off-licence e.g. bottle stores, winery cellar doors, supermarkets and some grocery stores. Some hotels and taverns may hold both on and off licences. Premises that cannot have an off-licence include; petrol stations, garages, conveyances, dairies and convenience stores.

Off-licences also allow complimentary (free) tastings on the premises, e.g. at winery tasting rooms. Supermarkets and grocery stores can only sell wine and beer.

You can apply for the new off licence application yourself, or have a consultant or lawyer make the application on your behalf.

Your new licence will be issued for only one year but can usually then be renewed at three yearly intervals.

Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 there are criteria that your business must meet to be issued a new or renewed licence. Additional information is generally required to be provided as part of the application.

Grocery Stores only - The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Regulations 2013 require a Statement of Gross Sales Revenue to be provided with both new and renewal applications.

Remote Sales of Alcohol

If the applicant only seeks to sell their products by remote sale, i.e. via an internet website, by mail order or over the telephone, then they can request the licence be endorsed for the remote sale of alcohol only.

Alcohol Licensing Fees

Licensing fees have been set nationally to cover all types of licenses and are based on a cost/risk rating . There are two types of fees; application fee and annual fee .