When to apply
Apply for a special licence if you want to sell alcohol at a one-off event or series of events.
You need a special licence for:
- ticketed events like festivals, concerts and sporting events where alcohol is included in the ticket price or sold at a bar
- bus, train and limo trips where alcohol will be sold or included in the price of the ticket
- an event at a licensed premises that's not covered by the normal licence – for example, a band playing outside your normal licensed hours
- social club and community club events where membership fees go towards buying alcohol.
Under a special licence, customers must pay for the alcohol they consume – either over a bar or as part of the event entry fee or ticket price.
Note: If your event is being held in multiple locations, then you'll need a special licence for each location.
How to apply
You must apply at least 20 working days before your event starts.
If you have any questions during the process, you can meet with an alcohol licensing inspector for help or advice. Find out more about meeting with an alcohol licensing inspector.
Late notice waiver fee (from 1 October 2024)
Starting 1 October 2024, a fee for late special licence applications will be introduced. Customers applying for a special licence for an event outside the 20-working day timeframe will be charged an additional amount on top of the original application fee.
If you apply for a special licence between 11-20 working days before your event, you will be charged 10% of the application fee. If you apply 10 working days or less before your event, you will be charged 20% of the application fee.
For example, if you apply for a small event special licence 9 working days before it starts, you will be charged $16.60 on top of the $83 application fee.
The fees for special licences for events differ depending on the number of attendees at the event.
A full explanation of special licence application fees can be found below.
Please note that payment for a late application does not guarantee that the District Licensing Committee will agree to consider your late application, nor is it a guarantee that your application will be granted.
1. Find out which licence you need
The type of licence you need depends on whether you'll be selling alcohol to be consumed at the event (on-site) or taken away to drink later (off-site) – or both.