Transferring a liquor licence in Victoria without losing trading continuity.
A licence transfer has to move at the same pace as your settlement. We coordinate between the parties and LCV to make the handover clean and keep the business compliant.
Why licence transfers need specialist handling.
When a hospitality business changes hands, the liquor licence doesn't transfer automatically. It requires a formal application to Liquor Control Victoria, with specific documentation from both buyer and seller, coordinated to meet settlement timelines. Delays or errors at this stage can halt trading and affect the deal value.
We've managed transfers across Melbourne, from single venues to multi-site groups, and know how to keep the process on track when there are competing pressures from solicitors, landlords, financiers and the regulator.
What we manage for you.
- 01
Transfer application preparation
All required forms and documentation for both incoming and outgoing licensees.
- 02
New Entrant Training coordination
The incoming licensee must complete NET before the transfer is approved; we organise this.
- 03
Police and council requirements
Confirming any fit and proper checks and local authority notifications.
- 04
LCV liaison
Acting as point of contact through the application and any follow-up queries.
- 05
Timeline management
Coordinating the regulatory process against your settlement date to avoid gaps in trading.
Experience from both sides of the process.
Decades on the operator's side of the table means we understand the commercial stakes of a transfer, not just the paperwork.
We've sat in the buyer's seat and the seller's seat. That perspective shapes how we manage the process for you.
How long does a transfer take?
Once LCV has all required and accurate documentation, a standard transfer typically takes 6-8 weeks to process. The timeline can be affected by the completeness of the application, pending training requirements, or additional information requests. We work to have everything in order before lodgement to minimise the chance of delays.