In Queensland, difference between a licensed venue and an unlicensed venue lies in whether the establishment has obtained the necessary licenses for certain requirements such as alcohol.
A licensed venue has obtained the appropriate licenses from the Queensland government regulators to conduct certain activities.
It’s important to note that the specific regulations and requirements for licensed and unlicensed venues can vary depending on the type of venue, its location, and its intended purpose.
Queensland Government Licensing
Licensed venues
Licensed venues in Queensland must adhere to specific regulations and requirements to operate legally and responsibly. Essential steps and considerations for licensed venues:
| Acquire Appropriate Licenses: | Obtain the necessary licenses and permits to sell and serve alcoholic beverages. This includes licenses for liquor, gaming (if applicable), and any other relevant permits. |
| Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA): | Train staff members in responsible service of alcohol. Ensure they understand the laws and regulations regarding the sale and service of alcohol, including checking identification to verify the legal drinking age. OLGR – Licenses staff should hold |
| Compliance with Licensing Laws | Stay compliant with Queensland’s liquor licensing laws, including regulations related to trading hours, noise control, and responsible service of alcohol. |
| Food Service | Meal service can promote responsible drinking and enhance the overall customer experience. |
| Safety Measures | Implement safety measures such as adequate lighting, security personnel, and surveillance cameras to ensure the safety of patrons. Patron and staff safety on licensed premises – Business Queensland Security staff for licensed venues – Business Queensland. |
| Noise Control | Comply with noise regulations to prevent disturbances to neighbours or other businesses. This includes monitoring noise levels from live music or events. Noise Regulation – Environment, land and water – Queensland Government |
| Gaming Regulations | If your venue offers gaming, comply with gaming regulations and ensure the responsible conduct of gaming activities. Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation |
| Age Verification | Verify the age of patrons to ensure that only individuals of legal drinking age (18 years and older) are served alcoholic beverages. |
| Signage | Display relevant signage, including RSA notices, emergency exit signs, and information about responsible drinking and transportation options. Compliance signage for licensed venues – Business Queensland |
| Employee Training | Continuously train and educate staff about alcohol service, safety procedures, and customer service. Mandatory training for staff of licensed premises – Business Queensland. |
| Incident Reporting | Develop procedures for reporting and managing incidents, including situations involving intoxicated patrons or security issues. |
| Regular Inspections | Prepare for and cooperate with inspections and compliance checks conducted by authorities. |
| Maintain Records | Keep accurate records of liquor purchases, sales, and incidents, as required by law. |
| Community Engagement | Be a responsible member of the community by participating in local initiatives and collaborating with local authorities to address any concerns. |
| Insurance | Maintain liability insurance to protect your business from potential legal claims or issues. |
| Promotion | Advertise your licensed venue responsibly, focusing on the quality of offerings, events, and customer experience. |
| Plan for Emergencies | Have emergency response plans in place, including evacuation procedures and first-aid resources. |
| Feedback and Improvement | Encourage feedback from customers and staff to continuously improve service and operations |
Unlicensed club should
| No Alcohol Sales | Unlicensed venues cannot legally sell or serve alcoholic beverages. Ensure that no alcoholic drinks are sold or provided to customers within the premises. |
| BYO Policies | If you choose to allow patrons to bring their own alcohol (BYO), establish clear BYO policies and rules. This may include limitations on the quantity of alcohol, corkage fees, and restrictions on serving hours. Communicate these policies to customers |
| Age Verification | Verify the age of patrons to ensure that only individuals of legal drinking age (18 years and older) are allowed to consume alcohol on the premises if BYO is permitted. |
| Food Service | Consider offering a menu of food options, as unlicensed venues often focus on providing food and non-alcoholic beverages to patrons. This can enhance the overall experience and attract a wider range of customers. |
| Safety Measures | Implement safety measures and adhere to general health and safety regulations. This includes having proper fire exits, first-aid kits, and a safe and clean environment for patrons. |
| Noise Regulations | Be mindful of noise regulations in your area to avoid disturbances to neighbours or other businesses. Ensure that live music or events do not exceed allowable noise levels. Resource Queensland Government Noise Regulation |
| Entertainment and Events | Offer entertainment or events that do not require a liquor license, such as live music, themed nights, or community gatherings. But ensure you complete a special event application |
| Compliance with Local Laws | Stay informed about local regulations and requirements for unlicensed venues, as they can vary from one jurisdiction to another. |
Community club licence – Queensland
You will need this licence if you operate a non-proprietary club and intend to sell liquor for consumption on or off premises to:
- members of the club and their guests (while in the member’s company)
- members of other clubs with formal reciprocal rights and their guests (while in the member’s company)
- visitors playing a sport that is part of the club’s business, including teams and officials, on the day which the sport is played
- an interstate or overseas visitor
- a visitor who resides at least 15km from the club (from 1 September 2021 to 30 June 2024, clubs can remove the visitor distance requirement – this is explained below)
- a resident of the premises or guest of that resident.
You can only sell liquor for consumption on premises to the following:
- a person who has submitted an application for club membership within the last 30 days
- a person attending a function or club activity on the premises.
A non-proprietary club is an association where any income, profits and assets are used only to promote the objective of the club and are not distributed to its members. Examples of a non-proprietary club include a sporting club, RSL club or ethnic club.
A licence issued to a sporting club may also include additional premises (on application) for occasional use, providing the club owns or legally occupies the additional premises. The sale of liquor on the other premises may occur only for events where the sport or game of the club is being played.
For further information refer to https://ablis.business.gov.au/service/queensland/community-club-licence/4241
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