Transfer a liquor licence

If you hold a liquor licence in the Northern Territory (NT), you can transfer your licence to either:

  • an individual
  • a partnership
  • a company.

Before applying, you need to arrange a police history check for the person or people you are transferring the licence to, including any nominees.

Certificates are issued by SafeNT and can sometimes take weeks to process.

Liquor licence holders must also pay an annual fee based on the risk classification of their licence. Find out how much you might need to pay using the calculator.

Read about the alcohol minimum floor price on the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade website.

To transfer a liquor licence, you must apply as if you are requesting a new licence.

Follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the application to transfer a liquor licence.

Application to transfer a liquor licence PDF (222.6 KB)
Application to transfer a liquor licence DOCX (72.7 KB)

Step 2. Attach the name and fingerprint certificate to your application.

Step 3. Submit your application with all supporting documents and pay the fee at your nearest Territory Business Centre.

You can also email it and a copy of the receipt fee to liquorlicensing.ditt@nt.gov.au.

If your application does not have all of the supporting information, it will be returned to you.

Check what supporting documents you will need

Read the application to find out what supporting documents you will need.

You must include these with your application.

If you don't, your application may be returned to you as incomplete.

Licensing NT may also ask for additional documents. They will tell you.

Types of documents

Below are the types of supporting documents you may need to have ready to provide:

  • national police certificate name and fingerprint also known as a criminal history
  • affidavit - read documents for your liquor licence application
  • transfer application receipt
  • detailed site or floor plans of the proposed material operations or changes to the licenced area
  • lease title or contract to occupy and continue operations of a liquor licence on the premises
  • business name and food business certificate of registration
  • if applying on behalf of a club:
    • club incorporation certificates
    • general meeting minutes and
    • constitutions

Can also include the following

Responsible service of alcohol (RSA)

Provide nationally accredited RSA certificate. If your certificate is more than three years old, you will need to provide a refresher certificate. Go to Hospitality NT website for training courses.

Financial stability

Evidence of financial stability to be established along with fit and proper assessments as required by Licensing in the application for:

  • business
  • individual
  • licencee and nominees.

Find out more about licence nominees and executive officers under 'all other applications'.

Australian Investment Securities Commission (ASIC) extract

Get a full extract for companies listing:

  • directors
  • shareholders
  • members, and
  • any other linked proposed licensed premises or company extracts.

If your application is complete, Licensing NT will assess it.

The assessment will include providing local authorities like NT Police an opportunity to comment.

The Liquor Commission will review your application and issue a decision notice.

If it is approved, a certificate of transfer will be issued to the new licence holder.


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