If you’re planning an event or function in a public open space or City owned venue where alcohol will be available, you will need to gain the appropriate liquor license. You will also need an appropriate liquor license to own and operate a venue that supplies or produces alcohol. Find out more about each type of licence below.
About Consumption Liquor Licences
This type of liquor licence does not support selling alcohol or charging for the inclusion of alcohol. Consumption Liquor Licence is applicable if you are:
- Supplying alcohol to your guests at no charge
- Allowing your guests to BYO alcohol
About Small Function Occasional Licences
A Small Function Occasional Liquor License is applicable if you’re selling alcohol at your function, or if you have alcoholic products on display. It also grants your event attendees permission to consume liquor in a public place. Your event must fit the following conditions for a Small Function Occasional Licence:
- Maximum attendance is 75 people or less with the function duration being no more than 4 hours and finishing before 10pm, with no more than 4 standard drinks per person (or 1 standard drink per hour)
- Maximum attendance is 100 people or less with the function duration being no more than 2 hours and finishes before 10pm with no more than 2 standard drinks per person (or 1 standard drink per hour).
You also need to adhere to the regulations outlined in the
Exemptions to the Liquor Control Act 1998 Policy. Apply for a Consumption Liquor Licence or a Small Function Occasional Licence
To apply for a Consumption Liquor Licence or Small Function Occasional Liquor License, please pick up and complete the relevant form from our Civic Centre.You will need to:
- Completed the form at least 1 week prior to the event
- Ensure that the responsible person listed on the form must be present for the complete duration of the planned event
- Ensure that the responsible person applying for the liquor licence must be over the age of 18 and product photo identification at the time of applying for the licence
- Have the permit present at the facility during the function or event
The Consumption Liquor Licence and Small Function Licence are $32.00 and will need to be paid in full when submitting the application form.
About Occasional Liquor Licences
An occasional liquor licence is applicable to your function or event if you are selling alcohol or including alcohol as part of the entry fee or where alcoholic goods are being sold. To apply for an occasional liquor licence you need to write to us for support, and then apply through the
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
If we support the written request we will send you a letter that can be supplied to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries to complete your application.
For Occasional Liquor Licence for Sporting Clubs or community groups in City of Melville buildings, please email
melinfo@melville.wa.gov.au ,
post, or in-person For Occasional Liquor Licence for businesses or private properties, please email
health.admin@melville.wa.gov.au ,
post, or in-person The Occasional Liquor Licence fees and charges are determined by patron number and is managed through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
Apply for an Occasional Liquor Licence
Write to us to begin your application for an Occasional Liquor Licence. The written request must include the following information:
- How many people will be attending (and how many people under 18)
- What is the purpose of the event
- Will your group being making a profit from the sale of alcohol
- What quantity of alcohol will be sold
- What food / water / soft drink will be provided
- The name of the responsible person on site
- Details of ‘Responsible Service of Alcohol’ certifications
- Date / Time of the Event
For further details and pricing information for Occasional Liquor Licences see the guidelines on
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
Liquor Licences for Businesses
If you plan to own and operate a business that regularly sells, provides or produces alcohol you will need the appropriate liquor licence. The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) is responsible for issuing and regulating these liquor licences. But you will also need to obtain a Section 39 and 40 certificate from us. The process for these certificates is outlined below.
Section 39 Certificate
The section 39 certificate is issued to demonstrate compliance with the Environmental Health and Building legislation. To obtain this certificate you will need to submit the following information:
- A written request for a section 39 certificate including your business name and address of the premise
- Your contact details
- A completed page 2 of the Certificate of Local Health Authority
- Plans showing your proposed licensed area
Pending the nature of your development, additional approvals and certifications are required to demonstrate compliance with the Environmental Health and Building legislations. The Section 39 will not progress until these supporting documents and approvals have been issued. These are referenced as a guide below.
To assess for compliance a site inspection maybe undertaken by an Environmental Health Officer. Following a site visit, supplementary Environmental Health approvals maybe required such as a Food Business Registration Certificate.
In relation to building requirements, for existing
buildings, an inspection is to be conducted to determine it is fit for purpose. There maybe times when a change of use for the building is triggered by the service of alcohol creating the need for an Occupation Certificate (BA09). A Certificate of Building Compliance (Building Approval Form BA18) from a Private Building Surveyor is to be obtained and lodged with your application. For a new building or a new fit out, please refer to your Building Permit conditions specified in the permit. In general, the Building Permit conditions could include but not limited to the following:
- Lodgement of a Notice of Completion (Building Form BA7)
- Lodgement of an Occupancy Permit (Building Form BA9)
- Certificate of Construction Compliance(Building Form B17)
- Other certifications and sign off documents.
A private Building Surveyor can assist you in the preparation and lodgement of the above documentations, as well as providing you with a Certificate of Building Compliance.
Section 40 Certificate
A section 40 certificate is required to demonstrate the proposed venue meets the relevant town planning legislation. A section 40 certificate is required for all new liquor licensing applications as well as any applications for alterations to existing licensed premises. To obtain this certificate you will need to submit the following information:
- A written request for a section 40 certificate which includes your business name and address of the premise
- Your contact details
- A plan which details the proposed licensed area
Apply for a Section 39 and 40 Certificate
To apply for a section 39 and 40 certificate ensure you have the supporting materials outlined above. Note that these the application can be lodged at the same time and are not dependent on each other.
Apply for a Section 39 Certificate Apply for a Section 40 Certificate Fees and Charges for Section 39 and 40 Certificates
- Section 40 Certificate: $100.00
- Section 39 Certificate: $212.75 (with inspection) or $116.50 without an inspection