If you want to trade outside the hours on your liquor licence, Queensland offers two broad paths: a permanent change to your approved trading hours, or a temporary extension for a one-off occasion or event. Choosing between them starts with a simple question. Is this a regular pattern, or a specific date?
Key takeaways
- Permanent extended hours suit a recurring need and, once approved, are endorsed on your licence.
- One-off extensions suit a specific occasion and are capped in how often they can be used, with separate caps for early and late trading.
- Late-night one-off extensions are only available for a special occasion an independent third party wants to celebrate at your venue.
- Neither path is automatic. OLGR decides each application.
Permanent and one-off hours compared
| Permanent extended hours | One-off extended hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited to | A regular trading pattern | A specific occasion or event |
| What changes | Approved hours endorsed on your licence | Hours for that occasion only |
| Before 10am | Possible where you can demonstrate a need; earliest starts limited to certain clubs and bona fide functions | Similar options, for a limited number of dates in any one-year period |
| After midnight | Possible up to a limit that depends on your licence and venue type | Only for a special occasion an independent third party wants to celebrate at your venue |
| How often | Ongoing | Before 10am: dates capped in any one-year period. After midnight: dates capped per calendar year and limited each month |
| RAMP | Required for ongoing extended trading hours | Check current requirements for your application |
| Lodging | Application for permanent extended trading hours | OLGR client portal or one-off application form |
Sources: permanent trading hours, temporary trading hours, RAMP (Business Queensland, retrieved 8 October 2026).
When a permanent change makes sense
If you expect to trade later every weekend, open early on a regular basis or keep a consistent late service, a permanent change is usually the more natural option to discuss. Queensland guidance sets different late-night limits for restaurants and cafes, most other licensees, safe night precinct venues and certain special facilities. Community other licensees are excluded from several options.
A permanent application also connects to your risk-assessed management plan, because ongoing extended trading hours are on the list of applications that need a RAMP. Maximum operating hours are one of the topics a RAMP must address. If approved, the change is endorsed on your licence and your annual fees are adjusted.
Weekend-only as a middle option
If your need is regular but limited to weekends, Queensland offers a weekend-only extended trading option, except for community other licensees. Annual fees for extended trading are lower for weekend-only trade.
When a one-off extension makes sense
One-off extensions are designed for a specific occasion, such as a celebration booked at your venue or a single event. Trading between midnight and 5am is only available when someone other than the licensee, owner or occupier wants to celebrate a special occasion at the premises. OLGR's Guideline 68 explains what counts as a reasonable time before and after the occasion, and which special events don't need evidence of the third party's request submitted with the application.
The caps work differently for early and late trading. One-off extensions before 10am are limited to a set number of dates in any one-year period. Late-night one-off extensions are capped per calendar year and limited each month, and new licensees get fewer late-night dates depending on when their licence was approved. Applications must be lodged a minimum period before the occasion, and late applications are not processed, so plan early. The current minimum is listed on Business Queensland's temporary trading hours page.
If you find yourself planning a one-off extension most months, raise that pattern with us. It may point to a permanent change or a weekend-only option instead.
Questions to prepare before you apply
- What days and hours do you want, and how often?
- Is the need driven by your own regular trade, or by a specific occasion someone else is hosting?
- What licence type do you hold, and what are your current approved hours?
- How will you manage service, security, food and noise during the extra hours?
- Do you have an approved RAMP, and does it reflect how you operate now?
- For early trading, what shows a genuine need?
Hours, area and conditions are separate
Extending your hours does not change your licensed area or other licence conditions. If a one-off event also needs more space, a temporary licensed area change may apply, and the added area must adjoin your existing premises. See our liquor licence changes and temporary liquor permits pages, and our risk-assessed management plans page if a RAMP is involved.
Get help choosing the right application
We can look at your trading plans and help you prepare the extended trading hours application that fits. Eligibility and approval remain decisions for OLGR. You can also read our Google reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use one-off extensions every month instead of applying for permanent hours?
One-off extensions are capped, with separate limits for early and late trading, and late-night one-off trading is only available for a special occasion an independent third party wants to celebrate at your venue. If your need is regular, a permanent or weekend-only application is usually the better conversation.
Do I need a RAMP for permanent extended hours?
Yes. Ongoing extended trading hours are on Queensland's list of applications that need a risk-assessed management plan.
How do I apply for a one-off extension?
You can apply online through the OLGR client portal using the access key from your initial approval letter, or use the one-off extended trading hours application form.
