Liquor Licensing
Whether you are operating a hotel, running a community club, hosting a special event or opening a restaurant, selling or supplying alcohol in the Shire of Kojonup requires a valid liquor licence.
The Shire plays an important role in the liquor licensing process and we encourage all applicants to contact us early.
The Shire's Role
The Shire of Kojonup's Environmental Health and Planning teams are involved in assessing liquor licence applications from a local planning and community impact perspective. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Shire before lodging their application with DLGSC to discuss planning requirements, zoning, building standards and any conditions that may apply to the proposed premises.
The Law
A liquor licence is required for an individual or business to sell and supply liquor in Western Australia. The Liquor Control Act 1988 outlines the regulation of the sale, supply and consumption of liquor. It is designed to minimise harm and cater for the development of the liquor, tourism and hospitality industries.
It is an offence to sell liquor without a relevant licence. A conviction for selling liquor without a licence carries a penalty of up to $20,000 per offence.
Who Approves Liquor Licences?
Liquor licences in Western Australia are issued by the Director of Liquor Licensing, administered by the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (DLGSC). The Shire of Kojonup is not the licensing authority, but plays a formal role in the process — most permanent licence applications require a Section 40 Certificate or Section 39 Certificate from the local government before they can be determined.
Types of Liquor Licence
There are 10 permanent licence categories in Western Australia. Each category varies in permitted trading hours and the manner in which liquor can be sold and supplied to the community. The most relevant licence types for the Kojonup community include:
Hotel Licence — Authorises the sale of liquor for consumption on and off the licensed premises and must provide accommodation. Standard trading hours are generally 6am to midnight Monday to Saturday, and 10am to midnight on Sundays.
Tavern Licence — Authorises the sale of liquor for consumption on the premises and as packaged liquor.
Club Licence — A club consists of a body or group of persons who join together to further some sporting, social, political, literary or other legitimate aim. A club licence authorises the sale and supply of liquor to members of the club. In essence, the supply of liquor is secondary to the primary objects of the club. This is the most common licence type for sporting clubs and community organisations.
Restaurant Licence — Authorises the sale and supply of liquor to customers dining on the premises. The primary purpose of the business must be the supply of meals.
Liquor Store Licence — Authorises the sale and supply of liquor for consumption off the licensed premises, including situations where liquor is sold online.
Small Bar Licence — Authorises the sale of liquor for consumption on the premises only. The size is restricted to no more than 150 persons (patrons plus staff) at any one time.
Occasional Licence — An occasional licence allows an individual, a group of people, a company or an incorporated association the ability to supply and sell liquor to people attending an event. This is ideal for one-off community events, fundraisers and festivals. Applications in regional areas for a period of up to seven days and where no more than 500 patrons are expected on any one day can be lodged manually through the local courthouse.
Special Facility Licence — Available for specific purposes such as tourism operations, room service restaurants, works canteens and auction houses, where no other licence type adequately applies.
The Application Process
The application process for a permanent liquor licence varies depending on the type of licence. This determines what information you need to lodge and whether your application will be advertised.
In general, the process for a permanent licence involves:
- Determine your licence type — Contact DLGSC on 08 6551 4980 or email rglindustryservices@dlgsc.wa.gov.au to confirm which licence type suits your situation.
- Contact the Shire — Speak with the Shire of Kojonup early in the process. Most permanent applications require a Section 40 Certificate (Certificate of Local Planning Authority) or Section 39 Certificate from the Shire before the application can be determined.
- Complete mandatory training — All new applicants must complete an approved course of instruction in managing licensed premises and in the responsible service of alcohol before a licence is granted.
- Lodge your application — Applications are submitted online through the DLGSC Racing, Gaming and Liquor portal at www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au. Fees apply and vary by licence type.
- Advertising period — Most applications have to be advertised in order to inform the community. Objections to applications must be made to the department.
- Assessment and decision — The Director of Liquor Licensing considers the application, any objections received, and issues a determination. The timeframe can vary from a few weeks to 18 months depending on the application type and other factors, so apply well in advance.
Responsible Service of Alcohol
All licensees, approved managers and staff who sell or serve alcohol are required to hold appropriate Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training. The Shire supports a safe, vibrant and responsible licensed environment in Kojonup and encourages all licensees to operate with the wellbeing of our community in mind.
Renewing Your Licence
Annual licence fees are payable to DLGSC. Licensees should ensure fees are paid on time to avoid penalties or suspension. Renewals and fee payments can be managed through the online DLGSC portal.
More Information
For liquor licensing enquiries contact DLGSC directly:
For the Shire of Kojonup's role in the process, contact our office: