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  • Food and beverage sampling / selling request

  • Sampling guidelines

      • Food portions must be tasting size only (max 50g or 50ml).

      • Alcohol limits: 10ml for spirits, 30ml for wine, beer, or cider.

      • Samples must relate to your core business (e.g. showcasing a product or equipment).

      • Samples must be free of charge.

      • Exhibitors must be fully self-sufficient, including storage and service equipment.

      • Cleaning fees apply for spillages or the removal of food and wet waste.

    MCEC holds exclusive catering rights for the sale and distribution of all food and beverage onsite. Any external sampling must be approved in writing by both your event organiser and MCEC, and charges may apply. Without approval, food and beverages cannot be provided.

    If using an external supplier, you must:

      • Register as a temporary food and beverage premises via foodtrader.vic.gov.au.
      • Provide washing facilities that meet Victorian food and liquor regulations.
      • When serving unpackaged food or preparing food on a stand a Food Trader licence will be required by the exhibitor as they are offering the product on their stand.
        • Items like muffins that are prepackaged and labelled will not require a food trader licence.
      • All food will require correct storage and refrigeration

    Please make sure all requirements are met before your event to avoid disruption.

    Next steps

    Submit the form and our Exhibitor Services team will confirm approval by email, along with any applicable external supply charges.

  • Contact details

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  • Event details

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  • Request type

  • Sampling request

  • Selling request

  • Goodbye single-use plastic

    MCEC is going green. In line with the Victorian Government ban, single-use plastic items, including stirrers, cutlery, plates, cups, and foodware, are not permitted.

    If you plan to sell food or beverages onsite, approval is required from MCEC, please discuss with your Event Planner.

    Selling alcohol or takeaway food 

    • A takeaway liquor licence is required for offsite alcohol sales. 
    • You must clearly outline how you will prevent onsite consumption (e.g. collection after the event) from a dedicated warehouse or deliver service. 
    • A simple option: finalise sales onsite and deliver direct to customers post-event (no takeaway licence needed). 
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  • Terms and conditions

    External Alcohol Service Requirements   

    • MCEC is a fully licenced venue, for all external alcohol service within the venue the below parameters are required:   
    • To legally serve a 30ml sample of wine in Victoria or 10ml of spirits, you require a liquor licence, most likely a Temporary Limited Liquor Licence or a Producer's Licence, depending on the context of the event. You must apply for the appropriate licence through the (see reference at bottom of the page for VCGLR). All staff distributing the samples must also hold a current Victorian Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) qualification.   
    • In Victoria, offering a 30ml sample of alcohol at an event or exhibition generally requires a Temporary Limited Liquor Licence from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC). Even though the sample is free, this is considered a "gratuitous supply" that requires a licence, unless the event has a specific exemption that applies. The supplier must also hold a Victorian Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) qualification. (An Interstate bridging licence or certificate is not permitted in Victoria)  

    Why a License is Needed  

    • Gratuitous Supply: Providing free samples of alcohol falls under the category of "gratuitous supply," which requires a licence.   
    • Temporary Limited Licence: This is the type of licence for one-off events or exhibitions where alcohol is being supplied in a limited way.   

    Key Requirements  

    • VGCCC Application: You must apply to the VGCCC for a temporary limited licence for the duration of the event.   
    • RSA Qualification: Any staff member distributing the samples must have a current Victorian RSA qualification.   
    • Sample Size: For wine, beer, and cider, the sample portion must not exceed 30ml and 10ml for spirits.  
    • Free of Charge: Samples must be offered free of charge.   
    • Self-Sufficiency: You are responsible for your own storage and service equipment.   
    • Approval from Venue: You may also need approval from the venue itself, such as the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)  

    Determine the Type of Licence Needed   

    • Temporary Limited Licence: This is for one-off events, such as a festival or market stall, where you want to offer wine samples.  
    • Producers Licence: If you are a winery and are offering samples of your products at an event, this licence is necessary.  
    • Apply for the Licence: Visit the VCGLR website (Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation) to find out how to apply for the correct licence for your situation. 

     
    Ensure Staff Have RSA Qualifications   

    • All staff members who will be distributing or serving the wine samples must have a current Victorian Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) qualification.  

    Follow Sample Guidelines   

    • Samples must be offered free of charge.  
    • A wine sample must not exceed 30ml to be considered a tasting sample; 50ml would be considered selling.  
    • Use single-use, disposable cups or glasses for samples and dispose of them after each use 

    References: 

    • Liquor Control Reform Act 1998
    • Liquor Control Reform Regulations 2023

  • Privacy collection statement

    The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET) operates the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on behalf of the State Government of Victoria. MCET is collecting your personal information for the purposes of completing the enquiry above. MCET will use the personal information for the primary purpose or a directly related purpose. You understand that the personal information provided is for the purpose of this enquiry and shall otherwise remain private within MCET unless disclosure is required by law. You may apply to MCET for access to and/or amendment of the information. Request for access to and/or amendment of the information should be made to MCET’s Privacy Officer (privacy@mcec.com.au).

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