01
What licence applications ask for
We read a licence page for all eight states and territories. NSW and Victoria's came from their state governments, and the other six from ABLIS, the licence search on business.gov.au. None of the eight mentions insurance, and these are some of the things they do ask for.
Queensland, commercial hotel licence
You must be a fit and proper person, meaning suitable to hold a licence. The venue must be able to seat more than 60 patrons at once.
South Australia, general and hotel licence
You need a community impact submission, a document to show that granting the licence is in the community's interest. You also need two floor plans of the venue and the landlord's permission.
ACT, on-premises licence
You need approved plans for the venue, a National Police Certificate, which is a police check, and a risk management plan.
Northern Territory, liquor licence
The application needs at least one nominee, someone who acts for the licence holder and makes sure the business follows liquor laws. It also needs business details, such as your ABN and business name registration certificate.
Western Australia and Tasmania
You must be at least 18 and a fit and proper person.
A condition set on your own licence, or a liquor law we haven't read, could still ask for insurance. Check the conditions printed on your licence.
02
Council permits that ask for cover
Victoria's liquor licence page reminds applicants that they may still need council permits, such as one for footpath or outdoor dining. We checked six councils across four states, and all six raise public liability in their dining or event rules.
Brisbane City Council, Queensland
Footpath and mall dining permits need public liability of $20 million, and you must show proof of it. The council must also be an interested party, meaning the policy shows the council's name.
City of Yarra, Victoria
Footpath trading permits need a certificate of currency, meaning the insurer's written confirmation that you're still covered, for public liability of at least $20 million. If the cover lapses, the permit may stop being valid.
City of Canada Bay, New South Wales
Its ABLIS listing says the council's approval for outdoor dining in a public place needs public liability cover of at least $20 million.
City of Vincent, Western Australia
The outdoor eating permit conditions say $20 million, but another part of the same page says $10 million, so confirm with the council.
City of Melbourne, Victoria
Its ABLIS listing for outdoor dining and footpath trading permits asks for "adequate" public liability without naming a figure. Ask the council how much it treats as adequate.
Livingstone Shire Council, Queensland
For temporary events, the council's list of documents can include a certificate of currency covering public liability of $20 million. The certificate must name the event as the one that's insured.
Before you apply, ask your council what cover it wants and whether its name must be on the policy. Put both answers in your quote request.
03
The certificate of currency
icare, the NSW body behind workers compensation, says employers can be asked to prove their insurance is current with a certificate of currency. Councils want the same proof, and Yarra and Livingstone Shire name the certificate in their permit requirements.
Yarra also says the policy must stay current for the whole time the permit runs, and Vincent's permit conditions say the same. If your renewal date falls before the permit ends, renew on time.
Licensees ask
Neither the Service NSW page for a special event licence nor the ABLIS summary of Victoria's temporary limited licence mentions insurance. The council approving the event might ask for it, as Livingstone Shire Council in Queensland can for temporary events.
Not always. Brisbane City Council in Queensland wants the policy to name the council. The City of Yarra in Victoria won't take less than $20 million.