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An entertainment venue license is required under Local Law No. 3 Commercial Licensing (2013) if certain activities are held at a particular venue on a regular basis (refer to Temporary Entertainment Event Licences for one-off events).

Eligibility

  • Prior to commencing any entertainment venue business you must check with Council's Planning and Regulatory Services Department to ensure that the land/property is suitable for your intended use.
  • 'Entertainment venue' means a place that is open to public for entertainment (not including a shop), whether or not a charge for admission is made and whether or not the person who controls admission reserves a right to refuse admission
  • Examples of licensable venues (note: this list is not exhaustive and other activities may require a licence if the venue provides entertainment for a fee):
    • Indoor/outdoor cinema
    • Theatre
    • Concert hall
    • Billiard saloon
    • Electronic game centre
    • Indoor sports centre (including bowling alley)
    • Art gallery
    • Museum
    • Bazaar or flea market (non-permanent)
    • Fairground
    • Children's playground, indoor play centre, party venues
    • Gym

Application Process

Step 1

  • The facility must meet the requirements of the Local Law No. 3 Commercial Licensing (2013)
  • Plans will need to be drawn up and submitted with your application
  • Please also confirm in writing the type of entertainment that is supplied (e.g. regular indoor entertainment) and if any outdoor entertainment is to occur, indicate on the plans the rooms/areas to be used
  • Ensure that you include plans, e.g. floor plan, detailed plans, etc. and an overall layout of the site (e.g. provide evidence that plumbing, building, etc. applications have been lodged and/or approved and the landowner gives consent to the application)
  • Please complete the General License and Permit Application Form (under 'More Information' below) for the design assessment and return with A3-size design plans and payment of the design application fee
  • Your application should include:
    • A plan of the entertainment venue
    • Details and drawings of buildings and other structural elements of the entertainment venue
    • A detailed statement of the nature of the entertainment venue and when the entertainment venue is to be open to the public
    • If the applicant is not the owner of the entertainment venue – the written consent of the owner
    • If approval of anything to be done under the licence is require under another law – a certified copy or other appropriate evidence of the approval e.g. building, plumbing, etc.
  • You may email your application in PDF format including application form, payment details and plans to plandev@ipswich.qld.gov.au
  • Alternatively you can post it to the address on the form or drop it by Ground Floor, 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich
  • Council will assess your application within 30 business days and respond with an approval and appropriate conditions
  • Council also recommends that you check the following for any requirements:
    • Council’s building section (07) 3810 6888
    • Council’s plumbing section (07) 3810 6888
    • Queensland Urban Utilities (07) 13 26 57

Step 2

  • Fit out your premises in accordance with the approval given by council.
  • Please read both the approved plans and approval conditions carefully when you receive them and carry out your fitout including any changes that may be required.

Step 3

  • About 10 days prior to completing the fit out of the premises, complete the licence application and contact the officer nominated on the approval documents to arrange the final inspection.
  • Current fees for an initial high risk entertainment venue (with liquor licence) are set out in the Register of Fees and Charges
  • A final inspection will be conducted to ensure the premises have been constructed in accordance with the design approval.
  • The premises must pass this inspection for the entertainment venue licence to be issued.
  • If additional inspections are required then further inspection fees apply and must be paid by the stipulated date.

Other Licences

  • Your business may also require other licences depending upon your activities, e.g. if you sell alcohol a liquor licence may be required.
  • For information on liquor licensing please contact the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation on 13QGOV
  • In order to issue entertainment venue licences or temporary entertainment venue licenses, a copy of the liquor licence or evidence of the application you have made is required by council.
  • If a temporary event is held on council land you may also need a separate permit e.g., mall permit, park permit.

More Information

Ipswich City Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners, the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul people of the Yugara/Yagara Language Group, as custodians of the land and waters we share. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, as the keepers of the traditions, customs, cultures and stories of proud peoples.