Short answer: for 2026/27, a new on-licence, off-licence or club licence costs between $368 and $1,207.50 to apply for, plus an annual fee of $161 to $1,437.50. Where you land depends on your premises' cost/risk rating — the type of venue, your closing time, and any enforcement action in the last 18 months. A special licence costs $63.25 to $575, and a Manager's Certificate is $316.25. All figures include GST.
“How much does a liquor licence cost?” is usually the first question we get from new bar, restaurant and bottle store owners. The council fees are only part of the answer. This guide sets out the official 2026/27 fees, shows you how to work out your own risk rating, and covers the other costs that catch people out.
On, Off and Club Licence Fees for 2026/27
The same fee scale applies to new licences, renewals and variations. You pay the application fee when you lodge, and then an annual fee every year on the anniversary of the licence.
These are the national fees set under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Fees) Regulations 2013, as published by councils for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. They are the same in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and most other districts. Councils are allowed to set their own fees by bylaw, so always confirm with your council before you budget.
How to Work Out Your Cost/Risk Rating
Your council adds up three scores. The total decides your risk category in the table above.
1. Type of premises
- 15 points: taverns, nightclubs, Class 1 restaurants (a restaurant with a significant bar area that operates like a tavern), bottle stores, supermarkets and grocery stores
- 10 points: hotels, function centres and Class 2 restaurants (a restaurant with a separate bar area that does not operate like a tavern)
- 5 points: lower-risk categories such as remote sellers and some smaller clubs
- 2 points: the lowest-risk premises, such as BYO restaurants, theatres and winery cellar doors
The council decides which class your premises falls into. A restaurant that adds a late-night bar trade can move from Class 2 to Class 1, and its fees rise with it.
2. Latest closing time
- On-licence or club licence: 0 points if you close by 2am, 3 points if you close between 2:01am and 3am, and 5 points for any later closing time
- Off-licence: 0 points if you close by 10pm, and 3 points if you trade later
3. Enforcement history (last 18 months)
- 0 points with no enforcement holdings
- 10 points for one enforcement holding
- 20 points for two or more
An enforcement holding is a formal finding against the premises, such as a suspension or a conviction for a breach of the Act. A single sale to a minor can push a venue up a whole risk category and cost it hundreds of dollars a year in higher fees.
Worked examples
The bottle store example shows how one extra trading hour moves a business into the next category. That decision adds about $400 a year in annual fees alone, for as long as you hold the licence.
Special Licence, Manager's Certificate and Other Fees
For special licences, a small event is under 100 people, a medium event is 100 to 400, and a large event is over 400. Our special licence guide covers the application itself, and our Manager's Certificate guide explains the certificate process step by step.
The Costs Beyond the Council Fee
The licence fee is often the smallest cost of getting licensed. Budget for these as well:
- LCQ training for each person who will become a certified manager. The course fee is set by the training provider.
- Building and planning certificates confirming the premises meet the Building Act and the district plan. These are council-specific, and building work to fix problems can cost far more than the certificate.
- Public notification of a new licence application, which some councils charge for.
- Professional help, if you use a consultant or lawyer to prepare the application or to represent you at a hearing.
- Delay. Rent, staff and stock you are paying for while you wait for a licence. For most new venues, this is the biggest cost of all.
A new licence takes around 8 to 12 weeks from lodgement when nothing goes wrong. See how long a liquor licence takes in NZ for realistic timeframes. If you are aiming to open before summer, also check the 2026 Christmas lodgement deadlines.
Four Ways to Keep Your Licence Costs Down
- Choose your hours deliberately. Apply for the hours your trade actually needs. An extra hour you rarely use can move you up a risk category.
- Protect your compliance record. One enforcement holding adds 10 points for 18 months. Strong training, ID checks and a certified manager on every shift pay for themselves.
- Get your premises classed correctly. Make sure your application describes how the venue really operates, so the council doesn't place it in a higher class than it belongs in.
- Lodge a complete application the first time. Missing documents don't increase the fee, but they add weeks of delay, and delay is where the real money goes.
How Liquor Concepts Can Help
We have prepared liquor licence applications throughout New Zealand since 2000, including in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Before you lodge, we can estimate your risk rating, flag anything that might push your fees or timeframe up, and give you a clear quote for our own work. Read about our liquor licensing services or contact us for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a liquor licence in NZ?
For 2026/27, an on-, off- or club licence application costs $368 to $1,207.50 depending on the premises' cost/risk rating, plus an annual fee of $161 to $1,437.50. Most restaurants and bottle stores with standard hours and a clean record fall in the medium category: $816.50 to apply and $632.50 a year.
Are liquor licence fees different in Auckland?
No. Auckland Council charges the national fees set by the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Fees) Regulations, the same as most councils. Councils can set their own fees by bylaw, so it is worth confirming the current schedule with your council.
Do I pay the fee again when I renew?
Yes. A renewal is charged the same application fee as a new licence for your risk category, and you keep paying the annual fee every year. Your risk rating is recalculated, so a change in hours or a recent enforcement can change what you pay.
What happens if I don't pay the annual fee?
An unpaid annual fee can lead to your licence being suspended until it is paid, and you cannot legally sell alcohol while the licence is suspended. Diary the anniversary date of your licence.
Are liquor licence fees refundable?
No. Application fees are non-refundable, even if the application is withdrawn or declined. Getting the application right the first time is the best way to avoid paying twice.
Fees are from the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Fees) Regulations 2013 as published by New Zealand councils for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, including GST. Fees are reviewed periodically, so confirm with your council before lodging.