Alcohol regulations in Australian Capital Territory

Licences needed

ATO Excise Manufacturer Licence (federal); ACT Liquor Licence (General licence or Off-licence) from Access Canberra; Crown lease/planning approval (Provision of Lease Advice Certificate) and Certificate of Occupancy.

Authority

Australian Taxation Office (Excise) and Access Canberra / Commissioner for Fair Trading (Liquor Licensing)

Documents

ATO: Stills registration (>5L capacity), security and site plans, production and storage records, fit and proper person declaration. ACT: Application form, National Police Certificates for all key personnel, approved premises plans, Provision of Lease Advice Certificate, Certificate of Occupancy, and a Risk Assessment Management Plan (RAMP) if tastings or on-site consumption occur.

Fees

ATO Excise licence: $0. ACT liquor licence application fee: $302 for micro-producers up to $3,049–$3,759 for standard off-licence or general licence (2025–2027 fee schedule).

Time to obtain

ATO manufacturer licence: 60 to 90 days; Access Canberra liquor licence: up to 90 days statutory decision timeframe including public consultation.

Who can import

Any business or individual with a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) or through a licensed customs broker.

Licences or registrations

No specific alcohol import licence is required under Commonwealth law. Importers must lodge an Import Declaration (N10/B646) via the Integrated Cargo System (ICS). A Customs 79 warehouse licence (Australian Border Force) is required if storing spirits in bond before customs clearance.

Authority

Australian Border Force (ABF) and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

Documents

Commercial invoice, bill of lading or air waybill, packing list, certificate of origin (if claiming preferential tariff rates), and proof of age/maturation for whisky, rum, and brandy.

Fees

Import Processing Charge (AUD $33 to AUD $190+ depending on lodgement method and consignment value) plus DAFF inspection and biosecurity clearance fees if inspected.

Time to obtain

Customs clearance takes 1 to 5 business days upon documentation lodgement; customs warehouse licensing takes 60 to 90 days.

Required: no Process: Australia operates on a post-market compliance model. There is no pre-market brand or label registration system (no federal or territory COLA). Importers and producers are self-responsible for complying with…

Imported goods must have an Australian Importer of Record or registered customs broker. There is no state monopoly over importation. Individual shipment import declarations are filed through ABF. No excise or revenue strip stamps…

Standard customs duty on distilled spirits (HS heading 2208) is 5% ad valorem (or 0% under Australia's free trade agreements including the US, UK, EU-CPTPP countries, and New Zealand) plus an excise-equivalent duty of AUD $110.15 per litre of pure alcohol (as of August 2026, indexed biannually in February and August).

Federal excise duty on distilled spirits (other excisable beverages and spirits >10% ABV) is AUD $110.15 per litre of alcohol (LAL) from 3 August 2026 (brandy has a concessional rate of AUD $102.87/LAL). Goods and Services Tax…

Private enterprise system; no government monopoly. Off-licences authorise packaged liquor sales for off-premises consumption (bottle shops, supermarket-adjacent liquor stores) with standard operating hours from 7:00 am to 11:00…

Allowed under ACT Off-licence or General licence. Governed by the Liquor Act 2010 and the Liquor Amendment Bill 2025 reforms: same-day alcohol delivery is restricted to 10:00 am to 10:00 pm; introduces a mandatory 2-hour 'safety…

Compliant with FSANZ Standard 2.7.1 and general labelling provisions: name and description of the product; lot identification; name and Australian/New Zealand street address of the importer or supplier; country of origin;…

Self-regulated nationally via the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) and enforced under Australian Consumer Law. Commercial promotions must not appeal primarily to minors, encourage excessive consumption, or associate…

Defined under Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Standard 2.7.5: Distilled spirits must have a minimum ABV of 37%. Brandy must be distilled from wine and matured in wood for at least 2 years; Whisky must be distilled from…

Under the Liquor Act 2010 and Liquor Regulation 2010, permanent alcohol-free public places exist where public drinking is banned (including Civic / Canberra City centre, town centre bus interchanges, skate parks, and school…

From 1 July 2025, the ACT expanded 50% annual liquor licence fee reductions to hospitality venues and general licences with occupancies between 21 and 150 patrons (following 2024 reductions for small venues with under 80…

The ACT possesses Australia's highest average household income and an affluent demographic with robust demand for premium craft spirits, single malts, and imported botanicals. Because high federal excise rates heavily compress…

1. Access Canberra - Liquor Licences and Permits
2. ACT Government - Liquor Amendment Bill 2025: Same-day alcohol delivery
3. ACT Legislation Register - Liquor Act 2010
4. Australian Taxation Office - Excise duty rates for alcohol
5. Federal Register of Legislation - Food Standards Australia New Zealand Code Standard 2.7.5 (Spirits)