Alcohol regulations in Victoria (Australia)

Licences needed

State Producer's Liquor Licence (LCV), Federal Excise Manufacturer Licence (ATO), and ATO Still Permission (for any still capacity over 5 litres).

Authority

Liquor Control Victoria (state) and Australian Taxation Office (Commonwealth).

Documents

LCV application requires proof of right to occupy, red-line floor plan, RSA certification, New Entrant Training (NET) certificate, and local council planning verification; ATO requires detailed manufacturing site diagram, security plan, plant description, and commercial viability evidence.

Fees

LCV application fee is $343.20 (floor space up to 150 sq m) or $518.10 (over 150 sq m), plus annual renewal fees; ATO excise licences have no application fee.

Time to obtain

Approximately 8 to 16 weeks across state and federal approvals.

Who can import

Any registered business with an Australian Business Number (ABN); to sell within Victoria, the business must hold an appropriate state licence.

Licences or registrations

Australian Customs registration via the Integrated Cargo System (ICS); customs bonded warehouse licence (if holding uncleared stock); Victorian Pre-Retail Licence (wholesale only) or Packaged Liquor Licence / Remote Seller's Licence for commercial distribution.

Authority

Australian Border Force (ABF) federally; Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) at the state level.

Documents

Customs Import Declaration, commercial invoice, bill of lading/air waybill, packing list, and Certificate of Age (for whisky, rum, and brandy).

Fees

ABF electronic import processing charges (approx. AUD 50 to AUD 200 per consignment depending on value); LCV pre-retail or packaged liquor licence fee ($259.10 to $518.10+ depending on licence category).

Time to obtain

Customs clearance takes 1 to 5 business days; state wholesale/retail liquor licences take 6 to 12 weeks.

Required: no Process: Australia does not operate a pre-market label registration or brand approval system (no federal or state COLA equivalent). Importers and producers are self-compliant under the Australia New Zealand Food…

Customs clearance through an Importer of Record holding an ABN. No state alcohol import monopoly exists in Victoria. Distilled spirits must clear ABF inspections under the Imported Food Control Act. Shipments of whisky, brandy,…

General customs tariff rate is 5% ad valorem under HS 2208 (duty-free under many bilateral FTAs), plus an excise-equivalent goods (EEG) customs duty equal to the domestic alcohol excise rate per litre of pure alcohol.

Federal excise duty on spirits is indexed biannually to CPI (February and August) and sits between $107.99 and $110.15 per litre of pure alcohol (LAL). Domestic producers can access the Alcohol Manufacturers' Remission (AMR)…

Fully privatised market (no government retail monopoly). Off-premises retail is conducted through private bottle shops, independent liquor merchants, and supermarket-adjacent liquor stores under a Packaged Liquor Licence.…

allowed

Under Food Standards Code Standards 1.2.1 and 2.7.1: English language, product name/identity, lot ID, name and address of Australian/NZ supplier, net volume, alcohol percentage (% ABV), number of standard drinks, mandatory…

Regulated under Victorian state law and the national ABAC Scheme (Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code). In Victoria, static alcohol advertising is prohibited within 150 metres of school perimeters. The Victorian Liquor Commission…

Defined by FSANZ Standard 2.7.5: spirit is a potable alcoholic distillate from food sources with a minimum ABV of 37%; whisky, rum, and brandy must be aged in wooden containers for a minimum of 2 years under Commonwealth…

No dry municipalities remain; historic dry zones requiring local resident voting polls in the cities of Boroondara and Whitehorse were completely abolished in December 2021. Local councils maintain municipal by-laws prohibiting…

Removal of Clause 52.27 from the Victoria Planning Provisions via Amendment VC286 on 1 July 2025, eliminating the need for a separate municipal planning permit for the sale and consumption of liquor. Abolition of the resident…

Victoria's mature hospitality sector and affluent consumer base present strong demand for premium and super-premium spirits, particularly craft whiskies, gins, and 100% agave spirits. Zero pre-market label approval and…

1. Liquor Control Victoria - Producer's Licence and Application Fees
2. Victorian Planning Provisions Amendment VC286 - Removal of Clause 52.27
3. Australian Taxation Office - Excise Duty Rates for Alcohol
4. Food Standards Australia New Zealand - Standard 2.7.5 Spirits & Standard 2.7.1 Labelling
5. Victorian Electoral Commission - Abolition of Dry Area Liquor Licensing Polls