Temporary Authority

When a new owner purchases a licensed premise (eg restaurant or bar), the existing alcohol licence is not transferable. To enable a new owner to operate the business under the same terms and conditions as the existing licence, a ‘Temporary Authority’ may be issued, provided the premises has a current ON or OFF Licence which has 3 months or more before expiry.

Temporary authority is granted under section 136 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

Before you apply

Information required to complete this application includes:

  • Copy of the current ON or OFF license, and a copy of the most recent ‘renewal notice’ of the license (if applicable)
  • Written statement signed by the owners of the building giving approval to sell and supply alcohol during the days and hours applied for (note: approval must be for the applicant detailed in the application form)
  • Copy of the signed lease agreement and sale and purchase agreement
  • A Deed of Nomination if the application and the Sale & Purchase agreement are in two different entities. We need to licence the entity that is taking the profit from the sale of alcohol
  • Copy of your manager's certificates

Payment and processing

We need a minimum of 20 working days to process your application.

Fees vary.  You can check which fees apply to you here.

Once we have received your application, we will invoice you the appropriate fee.

When your payment has been received, your application will be processed (which includes your application being sent to the Police for approval).

Once your application has been processed, we will send you your Temporary Authority.

You will need to then apply and pay for a Certificate of Use and your new Alcohol Licence.

Note: your alcohol licence can be applied for at the same time as the certificate of use, but processing will not start until the certificate of use has been approved. As that can take up to five to six weeks, it is recommended that you commence this process promptly.

How to apply

To apply, applicants should visit the ‘Do it online’ page on our website.  Click on the ‘Alcohol, food, and health business’ tile where you’ll be taken to first login to or set up an online account before progressing with the application.

Please note that Council staff cannot view any applications which have not yet been ‘submitted’.

Find out more

Contact Environmental Health Officers

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