Liquor Licensing for Sports Clubs in Victoria

Simplifying the liquor licence process for sporting clubs across Victoria. Whether you’re a local footy club, tennis pavilion, cricket or bowls club, On Tap Liquor Consulting provides expert support tailored to your needs. From selecting the right licence to ensuring ongoing compliance.

Do Sporting Clubs Need a Liquor Licence?

If your club intends to supply or sell alcohol, even just to members or during game days, a liquor licence is mandatory. Most clubs apply for a Club Licence or a Renewable Limited Licence, depending on their size, season, and activities.

Under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 (Vic), clubs must demonstrate:

• An appropriate committee or management structure
• The right to occupy the venue
• Suitability of the premises for licensed trade
• That the primary focus is sport, not alcohol sales

We’ll help you determine the best licence option, prepare all required documentation, and lodge the application with Liquor Control Victoria (LCV).

Which Licence Is Right for Your Club?

Full Club Licence or Restricted Club Licence

Allows supply of liquor to club members and their guests. Ideal for clubs with regular, year-round trading.

• Requires a club constitution
• Must nominate a responsible person (usually a committee member)
• Generally not suitable for clubs without regular bar hours

Renewable Limited Licence

Allows limited trade (e.g. during winter sports season), typically for:

• Sporting clubs operating bar service during games
• Seasonal clubs with no permanent bar or staff
• Renewable annually
• Can include flexible conditions like:
  • Point of Sale Approval: To serve liquor from designated booths on game days
  • Non-Member Functions Approval: For fundraising or social events
  • Section 120 Approval: To allow unaccompanied minors participating in sport

We’ll guide you through the right option based on your structure, activities, and venue setup.

Our Services for Sporting Clubs

We support community clubs through:

• Free initial consultation to determine the right licence and pathway
• Drafting of required documentation:
  • Review of Club constitutions (if needed)
  • Management plans / function notices
  • Floor plans and red-line diagrams
• Lodgement of the full application through the LCV Liquor Portal
• Liaison with Council or land managers where permits or approvals are needed
• Preparation of Noise & Amenity Action Plans if required

We’ll ensure your application is complete, accurate, and compliant—so it doesn’t stall at the first hurdle.

Planning Permits for Sports Clubs

In many cases, sports clubs do not require a planning permit to obtain a liquor licence. However, this depends on your zoning, hours, and history of land use approvals.

We’ll review your site’s planning history and coordinate with local council if:

• A permit is required for land use, signage, or alterations
• Council support letters or confirmations are needed
• Additional permits are triggered (e.g. car parking waivers or noise considerations)

We speak the language of both LCV and Council—and we’ll make sure the process is smooth.

Ongoing Compliance – We’ve Got Your Back

Managing a liquor licence is more than just securing approval, it’s about staying compliant all year round. Our Sports Club Compliance Management Program is designed specifically for volunteer-led committees who don’t have the time or resources to stay across changing obligations, training records, or licence conditions.

Our fixed-fee annual service includes:

• A tailored Licence Health Check
• Ongoing compliance alerts (training, renewals, changes to licence conditions)
• Record keeping support (e.g. staff training, police checks, RSA renewals)
• Preparation of management plans, signage, and function notice templates
• Priority support for licence amendments and special events
• An online compliance portal (under development)

We keep things simple, compliant, and low-stress so your club can focus on what matters: sport and community.
Ask us about our annual Compliance Partner Program when you get in touch.

Why Choose On Tap?

• We’ve supported hundreds of clubs across Victoria, from junior football to multi-sport hubs
• Clear, fixed-fee pricing and tailored service
• We speak your language and simplify the process
• Long-term support available through our compliance program

Let’s Get Your Club Licensed

We work with clubs of all sizes and budgets—from small seasonal cricket clubs to major sporting associations.

Call us today or use the contact form to receive an obligation free discussion and step-by-step advice for your club’s liquor licensing.

Let’s take the guesswork out of your obligations—so you can focus on game day.