Victoria’s liquor regulator, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) has reminded licence holders that they must pay their 2018 liquor licence and BYO permit fees.
The regulator said that the fees were due by 31 December 2017 and that any licence holder who has not paid their fees by the end of this month, could end up on the wrong side of the law.
“Licensees and permittees who have not yet paid their 2018 liquor licence or BYO permit fees are running the risk of trading unlawfully if payment is not received by 31 March 2018,” the VCGLR said in a statement.
“Licensees who have not paid their fees by this date, and continue to supply liquor, and permittees who continue to allow customers to bring their own liquor, will be doing so unlawfully and may face significant penalties.
“From 1 April 2018, the [VCGLR] inspectors and Victoria Police will be visiting licensed premises in both metropolitan and regional areas to ensure they are trading with a valid liquor licence or BYO permit.”
Victorian licensees who pay their renewal fees between 1 April 2018 and 1 June 2018 will be able to resume supplying liquor from the date of payment.
Licensees who fail to pay fees by 30 June 2018 will no longer be allowed to renew their licence and cannot supply liquor or allow customers to bring their own liquor.
The regulator added: “Any licensee or permittee who continues to operate from 1 July 2018 without payment of their fee will risk further enforcement action that could result in prosecution.”
Licensees/permittees who choose to surrender an existing licence or BYO permit need to complete a ‘surrender an existing licence or permit’ form, which is available on the VCGLR website.
Meanwhile in NSW liquor licensees will be sent their annual liquor licence fee notice in April via post and email.
Every holder of a NSW liquor licence needs to pay an annual liquor licence fee. In 2018, the fee is calculated using a base fee, plus risk-based loadings (trading hours and compliance risk loadings) if applicable.
Liquor and Gaming NSW said: “Licensees are encouraged to pay their fees on time to avoid late fees and licence suspensions.
“All liquor licensees will pay a base fee based on their licence type. However, risk-based loadings only apply to some licensees such as late trading venues and venues that have committed serious liquor law offences.”
More details about the NSW annual liquor licence scheme and fee estimates are available on the Liquor and Gaming NSW website.