Victoria Tobacco Licence — Retail & Wholesale

From 1 July 2025, all businesses that sell tobacco products (including cigarettes, cigars, and other items containing tobacco) in Victoria, whether retail or wholesale, are required to hold a valid Tobacco Business Licence. On Tap Liquor Consulting can guide you through every step, from selecting the right licence type, ensuring you meet regulatory requirements, to lodgement and ongoing compliance.

What’s Changed & Why You Now Need a Licence

Legislation was amended under the Tobacco Act 1987, introducing a new licensing scheme administered by Tobacco Licensing Victoria (TLV).

Key dates:

• 1 July 2025: Businesses allowed to apply for licences.
• 1 February 2026: Enforcement and compliance checks begin.

Now, selling tobacco without a licence (or violating licence conditions) can carry serious penalties. TLV will be empowered to review licences, suspend or cancel them, and impose fines.

Who Needs a Tobacco Licence?

You’ll need a licence if your business does any of the following:

• Retailing to the public — includes shops, liquor stores, online sales, or vending machines.
• Wholesaling to other businesses — supplying tobacco products to retailers or wholesalers.
• Selling from multiple locations — each premises typically requires its own licence.

You also need to consider your business structure (sole trader, company, partnership, etc.) and ensure you meet identity, background and suitability requirements.

What’s Involved in Applying (And How We Help)

Here’s what you’ll need — and how On Tap makes it smooth.

Licence Types & Business Structure

There are two main licence types:

• Retail Licence — for businesses selling tobacco to consumers.
• Wholesale Licence — for businesses selling tobacco to other licence holders.

In many cases, if you retail and wholesale, you’ll need both. Also, business structure, ownership, and premises details will affect which forms and evidence are required.

Documentation & Suitability Requirements

Examples of what you’ll need to supply:

• Proof of identity and legal structure of your business (company, partnership, sole trader)
• Disclosure of “associates” — who’s involved in the business (partners, directors) and their suitability (criminal history, bankruptcy etc.)
• Premises details — where tobacco products will be stored or sold, or dispatched. If you sell online or via vending machines, those locations counted too.

Compliance Obligations & Display Rules

Once your licence is granted, you must:

• Display your licence visibly in the premises.
• Adhere to display and advertising restrictions.
• Ensure you do not sell to persons under 18.
• Keep your records up to date. Notify TLV of any changes in associates, business structure, or premises.

Penalties & Enforcement — What’s at Stake

Failing to comply can lead to:

• Licence suspension or cancellation.
• Significant fines, both for individuals and businesses.
• Potential legal ramifications for false statements or failing to meet suitability criteria.

Why On Tap Is the Right Partner

• Deep experience in licensing and regulatory compliance
• We stay current with changing laws (e.g. Act amendments, regulation updates)
• Clear fixed-fee consulting so you know costs upfront
• We manage the application end-to-end: choosing licence type → preparing documentation → submission → ensuring ongoing compliance

Ready to Apply for Your Tobacco Licence?

Let us help you through Victoria’s new licensing scheme. Contact On Tap for a tailored quote, clarity on what you need, and support to complete your application properly, so you meet regulatory requirements and avoid costly mistakes.