Your Guide to Starting a Pub

Liquor Licenses

Pubs must ensure they have the right type of licence to serve or sell liquor (alcohol). Licences may include an On Premises licence, Primary Service Authorisation, and/or a Liquor Approved Manager licence. But requirements will vary depending on:

• The state or territory you’re in
• Where the alcohol will be consumed
• Council requirements around land use
• Your business intentions

Before you lodge an application for a liquor license, you’ll need a National Police Certificate which will include a criminal record check. You can find out more about liquor licensing in each state here:

Business Licences

You’ll need to apply for a business licence and registration from the local council. The local council will ask you to provide information such as:

These can be viewed here:

There are also a number of other licenses you may need, so it’s best to seek advice. For example, if you plan to play music at your coffee shop, you may need a music license to cover copyright issues.

• Your food business classification
• The type of food to be served
• Whether food is pre-packaged
• The name of your food safety representative

For information on the process with your local council, visit the Australian Business Licence and Information Service.

You’ll also need to apply for a number of certificates from the local council, possibly including:

• A zoning certificate
• A construction certificate
• A fire safety certificate
• A compliance certificate
• An occupation certificate

You’ll then need to pay the associated fees and fill out the required paperwork.

There are also several other licenses that you may require, so it’s best to seek advice. For example, you may want to play music at your pub, so you may need a music license to cover copyright issues.

Food Licensing

If you plan to serve food in your pub, you’ll need to follow food business licensing requirements, which also vary from state to state.

Food business licensing ensures your venue can produce safe food before it is supplied or prepared for the local community. Licensing requirements vary depending on the size of the venue and state or territory where you’re establishing the business. You can view the relevant licensing requirements for your bar below.

There are also several other licenses that you may require, so it’s best to seek advice. For example, you’ll likely be playing music at the pub, so you may need a music license to cover copyright issues.