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PotentialBrewer(Newbie)Newbie
28 Mar 2026

Hello brains trust,


I was looking at distilling alcohol for personal use as a hobby. I have tried to find what the rules and regulations around this are but I cant seem to find a straight answer.


Per the ATO site: You need an excise manufacturer licence to manufacture or produce excisable alcohol in Australia. You must meet the legal obligations attached to your licence, and pay excise duty where applicable. (Cant seem to find much other information)


But then it goes on to say: We do not grant licences to distil spirits for personal consumption. There must be a commercial purpose involved. Severe penalties apply if you distil alcohol without a licence.


https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/gst-excise-and-indirect-taxes/excise-on-alcohol/what-attracts-our-attention-illicit-alcohol/unlicensed-manufacture-of-excisable-alcohol


So from what I can tell I need an excise license but I cant be granted one?


Many thanks

126 views
2 replies
126 views
2 replies

All replies

NikkiATO(Community Moderator)Community Moderator
30 Mar 2026

Hi @PotentialBrewer,


In Australia, distilling spirits for personal or hobby use is illegal. Home brewing and winemaking (without distillation) are allowed for personal use. But all distilled spirits are classed as excisable alcohol, which means you must have an excise manufacturer licence to distil them.


Licences are only issued where there is a genuine commercial purpose and the operator meets specific regulatory, security and reporting requirements. There’s no personal‑use exemption: if you distil spirits without a licence, even just for yourself and even in small amounts, it’s considered unlicensed manufacture and penalties can apply. 

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Distilling alcohol for personal use | ATO Community