Amend or Vary Your Liquor Licence in Victoria

Running a licensed venue isn’t static; things evolve. Whether you’re expanding your floorplan, extending trading hours, or updating your licence conditions, it’s critical your liquor licence reflects those changes. At On Tap Liquor Consulting, we manage liquor licence variations quickly, compliantly, and with minimal fuss so your business can adapt and grow without risk.

What Is a Licence Variation?

A liquor licence variation or amendment allows you to change specific details of your current licence. This might include:

• Extending or reducing trading hours
• Altering your red-line plan (e.g. expanding into a new space)
• Changing your licence category (e.g. from on-premises to general)
• Updating conditions imposed by LCV
• Changing the nominee or licensee name
• Modifying the nature of entertainment or service

In many cases, variations must be lodged before the change takes effect. Trading outside of approved hours, or in an unlicensed space, can result in serious compliance breaches. Let us ensure you’re covered.

What Can Be Changed, and What Can’t?

Common Variations We Manage

• Trading Hours – including earlier openings or later closes
• Licensed Area (Red-Line Plan) – to add outdoor areas, private rooms, or function spaces
• Licence Type – e.g. upgrading to a General Licence to allow take-away sales
• Nominee Changes – when your appointed manager changes
• Licensee Changes – when the business entity remains the same but the name changes (e.g. due to restructure or rebranding)

Internal Link: [Need a new Red Line Plan? We can draft that too.]

What Can’t Be Done via Variation?

Some changes require a new application instead of a variation, for example:

• A new entity taking over the venue (requires a licence transfer)
• A significant change in business model that no longer aligns with the current licence type
• Moving the entire venue to a new address (requires new licence)

If you’re unsure whether you need a transfer, a variation, or a brand-new licence, just ask—we’ll clarify it upfront.

Our Role in the Variation Process

We manage the full variation process from scoping to approval, including:

Variation Strategy

We’ll help you identify which elements can be amended and whether you need planning permission (e.g. if land use is changing, or other triggers such as building and works, signage or car parking are present).

Documentation & Drafting

We handle all necessary forms, declarations, training updates (if relevant), and liaise with Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) directly. We’ll also prepare or update your red-line plan if needed.

Lodgement & Ongoing Management

We lodge the variation through the LCV Liquor Portal and monitor its progress through to approval, keeping you informed throughout.

Why Use On Tap?

Licence variations might seem simple, but incorrect submissions or missing documentation can cause costly delays, or worse, compliance breaches.

At On Tap, we:

• Cut through the jargon and explain what’s really needed
• Prepare all plans and paperwork to LCV standards
• Assess planning triggers to keep your venue out of trouble
• Provide fixed-fee certainty—no surprises, no guesswork

Request a Quote for Your Licence Variation

Every venue is different, so every variation is too. We’ll provide a fixed-fee quote based on your venue type and required changes. No DIY forms. No compliance risks. Just professional support, delivered fast.

Get in touch today to amend your liquor licence the right way.