Victoria’s new tobacco licensing scheme has begun with retailers and wholesalers now able to apply for a licence on the Service Victoria app or website.
Licences will be required to sell tobacco products in Victoria from February 2026 when enforcement begins.
All tobacco retailers, including supermarkets, convenience stores, liquor stores, petrol stations and online retailers, will need to apply for a licence.
Anyone found to be selling illicit tobacco will face fines of up to $355,000 or up to 15 years in jail, while businesses will face fines of more than $1.7 million.
Licences will only be granted to fit and proper people who pass a strict test, with the regulator also able to refuse a licence based on a person’s history or known associates.
Victoria Police will also play a role in ensuring the suitability of licensees and will have powers to impose further licence conditions.
“Victoria’s tobacco licensing scheme will help smoke out organised crime and protect legitimate retailers,” said Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Enver Erdogan of the new regime, which was introduced to combat the growing illicit tobacco trade in Victoria.
The growth in illicit tobacco has led to a turf war between organised crime groups vying for control of the lucrative trade, resulting in a spate of arson attacks on tobacco stores.
For more information and to apply for a licence through Service Victoria, visit: vic.gov.au/apply-tobacco-licence.
