Renew your licence

Renewal applications for licences should be lodged 20 working days before the expiry date of the current licence.  In no case may the application be filed after the licence has expired.  

While we do send out renewal application forms and your invoice two months before they are due to your postal address we have on our records. If you have not received your renewal invoice please contact the Alcohol Licensing team for a copy first, before submitting your application form.

It is your responsibility to ensure that completed renewals applications are received on time. If no renewal is received by the expiry date, your licence will be expired.  

This means you can no longer sell or supply alcohol or have it consumed or displayed on your premises. You will need to apply for a new licence and your application will be dealt with as a new application.

Please read the checklist on the form to make sure you include all the extra documents we need with your application. Incomplete applications will be returned.

Regulations set default fees for all types of an alcohol licence. The fees vary depending on the cost/risk rating of each premise based on the style of licence, hours and enforcements in the last 18 months.

Refer to the alcohol licence fee information to find out what fees will apply to your licence when renewing. 

In addition to application fees due on renewal of your licence, existing licences must also pay annual fees each year on the anniversary of their last application.

While we do send out invoices two months before they are due to your postal address we have on our records, it is your responsibility to ensure all annual fees due are paid on time. 

Please note that failure to pay the annual fee within 30 days after the due date will result in the licence being automatically suspended. 

If your licence is suspended you may not sell and supply alcohol until the fee and any penalty charges are paid.

View alcohol licensing fees. The fees for processing your application are non-refundable and must be paid when you apply for your licence. 

Most alcohol licensing fees are set by regulations.  However, any fees set by Council may be subject to annual review and any changes take effect on 1 July each year.

You will need to have an invoice from us before you can make your payment. This is posted to you 2 months in advance of the due date

Payments can be made by cash, EFTPOS or credit card at a service desk or by internet banking. Internet banking payment account and reference details can be found on your invoice. 

We no longer accept payments by cheque.

For internet banking, you will need to provide proof of payment that includes confirmation of the payment details (e.g. a screenshot of the completed transaction).

We can only process your applications once we have both the proof of payment of fees and the required application form and documents.

Grocery stores

If your application is for a grocery store you will also need to demonstrate that your premises are trading as a grocery store by providing a statement of details of annual sales revenue for your existing [DOCX, 30 KB] business for analysis.

This form is required for renewal applications. Please complete and include with your application form when sending it to us.

Bottle stores

If your application is for a bottle store you will also need to demonstrate that your premises meet the requirements under the Act for this type of licence. You will need to confirm with us that 85% of your revenue is from the sale of alcohol.  

If this is unclear you may be asked to provide a statement of details of annual sales revenue for your existing [DOCX, 20 KB] business analysis.

This form is required for renewal applications. Please complete and include with your application form when applying.

• Notice of Duty Manager appointment or change. 
• Please ensure that you read and understand other information on this website including Alcohol Licences (On, Off, Club as related to your licence), Managers Certificates, Host Responsibility, Supplying Food, Alcohol Licence Fees;  Christchurch Tri-Agency Newsletters, Timelines and trading days. 
• Industry tools, resources and information.