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A hotel licence allows you to:
Under the Liquor Act 2007 there isn’t a patron limit on a hotel licence, but your local council can impose a limit.
Types of businesses that use this licence include:
Your application can take longer to review if we don’t have all the details we need to assess it. We will come back to you to obtain the missing information to progress your application. You can help us speed up the process by:
The information below will help you to prepare your application and gather all the necessary materials for your licence. However, if you're ready now...
Apply online
A Cumulative Impact Assessment applies to the Kings Cross and Sydney CBD Entertainment precincts. The Assessment aims to manage areas of the precincts with higher concentrations of licensed premises, where cumulative impacts and risk of alcohol-related harm are greater.
The Authority will generally not approve new higher impact premises, or more late-night trading or licensed boundary increases for these premises, in the following designated Cumulative Impact Areas:
If making an application for a club licence in one of these areas, you should read the Assessment PDF, 9516.42 KB to understand the requirements that must be met. A compelling case will need to be made about community benefits and the harm reduction measures that will be in place.
Precinct maps:
Before you apply for a hotel liquor licence, you must prepare a Statement of Risks and Potential Effects (SoRPE).
Application Notices:
Once your application is lodged, you will be provided with a public site notice which you will need to affix to your premises until the application is granted. Council, police and agency stakeholders will be automatically notified of your application.
You must:
A paper form version of the site notices can be downloaded if you wish to complete them manually at your convenience prior to lodgement of your application.
APP400 hotel liquor application site notice PDF, 155.71 KB
The licensee and all staff involved in selling, serving or supplying alcohol need to have completed an approved Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course and hold a valid NSW competency card.
This requirement also applies to security staff and promotional staff conducting tastings on the premises.
The Liquor Regulation 2018 introduced an additional two compulsory courses for licensees and managers:
More information about Licensee and Advanced Licensee Training is available.
It is best practice to keep copies of your and your staff’s qualifications in a register on the premises.
You can sell alcohol at any time during the standard trading period - as shown in the table below.
On New Year’s Eve, you can sell alcohol until 2am the next day, or until a later time under an extended trading authorisation PDF, 426.77 KB.
You can apply for extended trading hours as part of your hotel licence application.
When a hotel that schedules live music or arts and cultural events applies for an extended trading authorisation, the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority must give due weight to the strong positive social impact associated with hosting these events.
Certain criteria will apply, including live music or arts and cultural events being part of the venue’s regular business activities, the venue being required to hold 2 events on different days in a 7-day period, and scheduling the performances after 8pm for 45 minutes or more. Gaming machines cannot be operated during the extended trading period.
Note that the proposed extended trading hours must be permitted under the licensed premises development consent.
The table outlines standard and extended trading hours for a hotel licence.
Consumption on premises
Monday - Sunday
5.00am - 12.00am*
12.00am - 5.00am*
Take away sales:
Monday – Saturday
* These hours are subject to the 6-hour closure period
A 6-hour closure period applies to all liquor licences, including those with extended trading hours. It usually starts at 4.00am and ends at 10.00am each day.
You can apply to change the 6-hour closure period:
In your application, you need to provide detail on:
This page contains a list of conditions which the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority and/or its delegates may impose if the licence is granted.
The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority may impose additional or alternative conditions if warranted. However, the party seeking additional or alternative conditions must demonstrate the need for those conditions.
If you would like to seek alternate conditions, and/or additional conditions, you can provide, alternative condition text and/or additional condition as well as the reasons with your application. You can attach additional information on separate pages if required.
You can tailor your licence to meet your needs by applying for authorisations and exemptions.
The Liquor Act and Regulations have certain requirements for hotels, including:
The law requires that all types of licensed venues display liquor signs. This includes a number of compulsory signs, depending on which licence and authorisations you have.
Your application costs include:
Use our Liquor Fee Schedule to calculate your fee.
Pro-rata annual liquor licence fee
A hotel licence is subject to a pro-rata annual liquor licence fee depending on the time of year your liquor licence is granted.
The fee is calculated on a quarterly basis and reflects the amount of time you use the licence before the next billing cycle (on 15 March the following year). Calculate your pro-rata fee.
Annual liquor licence fee
A hotel licence is subject to an annual liquor licence fee, due in May each year. Read more about annual liquor licence fees.
You must be 18 years or older and authorised to lodge this licence application.
Create a Service NSW account to apply online for a new licence or maintain your existing licence online.
Once your application is lodged, you will receive a site notice. This notice must be affixed to the location of the proposed licensed premises and must be provided to the occupiers of surrounding buildings.
We will advertise your application on the Liquor and Gaming Application Noticeboard for 30 days. The community can comment on your application, as well as people who were consulted as part of the CIS process, if applicable.
Use our online feedback form to send us your questions, suggestions or feedback. You can also:
Call: 1300 024 720 | Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm
Email: contact.us@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au
Access the Liquor Act 2007 and the Liquor Regulation 2018
