Types of liquor licenses

There are different types of licenses for individuals and businesses wanting to sell or give out alcohol.

For help deciding which licence best suits your needs, visit choose a liquor licence.

Short term liquor licence

Sell, supply or permit consumption at an event or function, for commercial or financial benefit, or on regulated premises.

Also see the five-year option below for regular or recurring events.

Apply for a short term liquor licence

Restaurant and catering liquor licence

For food providers, such as restaurants, cafes and caterers, who also wish to sell liquor. Your primary service must be the supply of meals at the premises.

Apply for a restaurant and catering licence

Small venue liquor licence

Sell liquor in a small venue within the Adelaide CBD without having to provide food.

Apply for a small venue liquor licence

General and hotel liquor licence

Sell liquor for people to consume on the premises and to take away.

Apply for a general and hotel liquor licence

Club liquor licence

Organisations to sell or supply liquor at their club premises, such as sporting or service clubs.

Apply for a club liquor licence

On premises liquor licence

Sell liquor to be consumed on the premises, such as a retail, sporting or accommodation service.

Apply for an on premises liquor licence

Packaged liquor sales licence

Sell liquor for takeaway and by direct sales transactions.

Apply for a packaged liquor sales licence

Liquor production and sales licence

For businesses that produce their own liquor and want to sell it directly to consumers for consumption on or off the premises, or to sell liquor via wholesale in bulk quantities (4.5 litres +) to other merchants.

Apply for a liquor production and sales licence

Residential liquor licence

For accommodation providers, such as motels and caravan parks, who wish to sell liquor.

Apply for a residential liquor licence

Short term (5 year) liquor licence

Sell, supply or authorise the consumption of liquor at events endorsed under your licence.

You'll need to nominate at least one event for endorsement, additional events can be added later.

You still need to lodge an application for an endorsement each time you host an event. A reduced fee applies for each endorsement application lodged.

Apply for a short term (five year) liquor licence

Event endorsement for short term (five year) licence

Apply for an endorsement each time you intend to host an event under your 5 year short term licence. A reduced fee applies for each endorsement application lodged.

Apply for an event endorsement

Interstate direct sales licence

For an interstate retailer to sell liquor for delivery into South Australia by direct sales transactions, for example online sales or by mail order.

Apply for an interstate direct sales licence

Wine export licence

Required among other steps to export wine shipments of 100 litres or more, regardless of the number of consignees it’s being shipped to.

Apply for a wine export licence


Contact CBS Liquor and Gaming

Email: liquorandgaming@sa.gov.au

Phone: 131 882

Post:
GPO Box 2169
Adelaide SA 5001


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Page last updated 16 September 2025

Provided by:
Attorney-General's Department
URL:
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/business-and-trade/liquor/apply/overview-of-liquor-licenses
Last Updated:
16/09/25
Printed on:
08/06/26
Copyright statement:
SA.GOV.AU is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Licence. © Copyright 2026
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