Eligible non-profit entities holding low risk fundraising events and small regional shows may be exempt under the Liquor Act to sell liquor without having a liquor licence or permit.
These events can be an important aspect of a non-profit organisations fundraising program and well run, successful public events can provide a range of social, economic and cultural benefits to the community.
Register your event
Event Safe also allows event organisers to register their community fundraising events and small regional shows with police online through the QPS Event Safe online registration form.
Registering your event with police gives us the opportunity to supply you with some great information and resources on planning and running an enjoyable, safe and lawful event. It also ensures that we have vital information and contact details for your event and are better able to respond if issues do arise.
Try and register your event at least 6 weeks before the event. This will help us with resource planning, resulting in the best possible support. That being said, it is never too late to register your event, as we would rather know in advance that it is going ahead.
Alcohol and the law
The Business Queensland liquor and gaming site provides further information about liquor licensing in Queensland, including an online community liquor permit exemption assessment to help you ascertain if your entity or organisation can sell liquor at a fundraising event without requiring a permit.
Visit Business Queensland - liquor and gaming
Community liquor permit - exemption assessment
Special events permits and road closures
To run a special event in Queensland, organisers must obtain written approval from the Queensland Police Service and the public or private authorities responsible for the roads the event will use.
A special event is defined by the Queensland Transport Operations (Road Use Management- Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulations 2005. It is an event which is wholly or generally of a public nature, uses or affects the operation of public roads, may require full or partial road closures or altered traffic conditions and involves some inconsistency with the usual operation of the Queensland Road Rules.
If you are unsure if your event is a special event you should first consult police in the area you intend to hold the event.
Help with running successful events
Application for special event permit (PDF)
Application for road closure permit (PDF)
Public assemblies and protests
If you intend to hold a public assembly, you are required to give notice of the intention.
Private parties
You do not need a liquor permit or Liquor Act exemption to hold a private party provided the liquor is supplied free of charge, there is no cover charge, you are not deriving a direct or indirect financial benefit and the liquor is not being supplied to gain or keep custom or other commercial advantage.
More information on Party Safe.
Police support for your event
Where we provide a service to an organisation or person and it is not performed in the ordinary course of police business, the service is deemed to be a 'special service'.
The following are some examples of instances where police support is a special service and the applicant will be charged for services rendered, provided the event is organised for profit by a commercial group or person:
- where the organisers of the event wish to direct the police task, for example, money escorts or gate control
- where the duty is to police a traffic problem caused by special car parking facilities provided by the organisers of an event
- traffic control, for example, at road works
- attendance at places of public amusement at which a charge is made for admission, for example, attendance at football games, concerts
- attendance at private functions.
An Application for Special Services’ (QP 0023A) must be completed and lodged with your local police station or establishment. The more notice you can give, the more likely we will be available to support your event.
Always remember
In an emergency or a life-threatening situation call Triple Zero (000).
There are many considerations when planning a non-profit fundraising event involving alcohol.
The 'Non-profit fundraising events: alcohol, safety and event management planning guide' has been developed as a joint initiative of the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation and Queensland Police Service, to support event organisers in planning and managing a successful event.