Permits

Apply for an individual liquor permit

You must hold a liquor permit to buy and drink takeaway alcohol in any general restricted area in the Northern Territory (NT).

You can still drink alcohol in a licensed bar, restaurant or club.

Over the coming months more regions across the Northern Territory (NT) will become general restricted areas.

You need to check with your local licensing sergeant at the police station, or at your local Territory Business Centre to find out if you are going to require a permit.

Find out if you live in a general restricted area.

Who can apply

In most regions the below groups can apply. To apply you will need to provide some supporting documentation.

You must provide one of the following types of photo identification:

  • an NT driver licence
  • an 18+ proof of age card
  • an Australian passport or Australian Defence Force photo ID card.

You must also provide one of the following:

  • a phone, electricity or other bill in your name or
  • a letter from your local government community council or community association confirming your address
  • a Medicare card
  • a Centrelink Healthcare card.

You will need to provide:

  • an itinerary, invoice or other document confirming your travel plans
  • photo ID, such as a driver licence or passport.

Read more about travellers and tourists to the NT.

Exclusions

Permits are not currently being issued to tourists or visitors in the Wadeye (Port Keats) area.

A contractor is someone who is working in community for a period of time but is not a permanent resident.

A contractor must provide a letter of employment from their employer (on letter head) confirming they are working in the community and for what period of time they are working there.

A contractor’s permit will only be valid for the period time they work in community or a maximum of 12 months, should they remain there, it will need to be renewed.

Apply for a permit

Use the forms below to apply for a permit in your region. Submit completed forms with all supporting documentation to Licensing NT by:

If your application is accepted, you will be issued a liquor permit. You must follow the permit rules.

If your application is refused

When you apply for a liquor permit, you agree to have a police check.

This information is used to help the police and the liquor permit committee in your area decide if you should have your application is approved.

If your application is refused, you can ask for a review of the permit committee's decision. Your review will be handled by the office of the director-general of licensing.

To apply for a review, fill in an application for a review of a decision.

Application for a review of a decision   PDF (558.9 KB)
Application for a review of a decision DOCX (694.2 KB)

If your application is refused by the Director of Liquor Licensing, you can choose to have your matter heard by the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT).

Contact

Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
PO Box 1421
Nhulunbuy NT 0881
ditt.eastarnhem@nt.gov.au

Liquor Permits – Licensing NT
GPO Box 1154
Darwin NT 0801

Phone: 08 8999 1800


Apply for a single event permit in Nhulunbuy

If you want to buy alcohol for a private event in Nhulunbuy, you can apply for a single event permit.

This permit lets you buy more alcohol than your daily limits under the Gove Peninsula liquor permit tiered system.

Who can apply

To apply for a single event permit, you must:

Types of events

This permit is for events on private property or hosted by individuals at non-licensed venues. For example, a club house, recreation centre or a hall.

Examples include:

  • wedding reception
  • birthday
  • anniversary
  • engagement.

You can't apply for this permit if the event is ticketed or guests have to pay a fee to attend.

Before you apply

You must apply at least 2 weeks before the event and include all supporting documents.

Any missing or incomplete information may cause a delay in processing your application.

You should only pre-order alcohol once your application is approved.

How to apply

To apply for a single event permit, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the liquor permit application for a single event in Gove Peninsula.

Application for a liquor permit for a single event in Gove Peninsula PDF (202.4 KB)
Application for a liquor permit for a single event in Gove Peninsula DOCX (70.1 KB)

Step 2. Attach supporting documents.

You must include the following with your application:

  • proof of your event such as invitations
  • any previous approvals.

Step 3. Submit your form and supporting documents by emailing  liquorpermits.DITT@nt.gov.au.

After you apply

Your application will be reviewed by the following:

  • local permit committee
  • NT Police
  • Licensing NT.

If you're successful

If your application is approved, you'll get a permit that you can use for up to 3 days which includes the day of the event.

Only the person who applied for the permit can buy or collect the alcohol.

If you're not successful

If your application is refused, you can a request a review of the decision by emailing DirectorLiquorLicensing.DITT@nt.gov.au.

You will need to:

  • clearly state why the reasons need a review and
  • supply any additional supporting documents which may help with your application being re-assessed.

Storing leftover alcohol

If you have any leftover alcohol, you must tell police within 7 days after the event. This includes how you will store the alcohol at your premises.

Cancelling your event

If you cancel your event, you must email liquorpermits.ditt@nt.gov.au.

Failure to notify and cancel your permit might affect your future applications.