Stay compliant with your tobacco licence

Display your licence clearly

Penalties include $1,017.55 for a person or $5,087.75 for businesses if you do not display your licence correctly.

You must display your licence in a prominent place close to the point of sale where tobacco is sold.

Step 1. Print a copy of your licence

You are responsible for printing your licence. It needs to be:

• the version you received by email from Tobacco Licensing Victoria
• in colour on A4 size paper
• clear, not blurry or low resolution.

Step 2. Display your licence

• Choose a location near the place where tobacco sales are made, like the cash register.
• The entire licence must be visible.
• Ensure the licence is securely displayed to avoid it moving out of sight.
• You may frame or laminate the licence, but you must ensure the licence can still be read easily.

You can email contacttobacco@justice.vic.gov.au for a copy of your licence.

Comply with your licence conditions

You must comply with any conditions imposed on your licence including the conditions set out in the Tobacco Act 1987 and Tobacco Regulations 2017.

If you don’t, it may result in a penalty of $12,210.60 for a person or $61,053 for businesses.

Standard conditions

All licences have standard conditions to limit the risks associated with the sale of tobacco.

Retail licence conditions

Retail licence holders must:

• purchase tobacco products from permitted Australian wholesaler or overseas wholesalers
• check that Australian wholesalers hold a current licence before purchasing tobacco products from them
• ensure anyone in your business selling tobacco products is 18 years or older (from 1 January 2027)
• keep a record of wholesale purchases for a minimum period of 2 years
• keep a record of the number and type of tobacco products purchased and sold each month and provide them to us annually with your licence renewal application
• keep a list of the addresses of any premises used for the storage and distribution of tobacco products
• provide copies of these records when we request them.

Wholesale licence conditions

Wholesale licence holders must:

• purchase tobacco products from permitted Australian wholesalers or overseas wholesalers
• only sell tobacco products to other permitted Australian retailers or wholesalers, or overseas retailers or wholesalers
• check that Australian wholesalers or retailers hold a current licence before purchasing from or selling tobacco products to them
• issue an invoice for each tobacco product sale, including the details set out in the Regulations and retain a copy of each invoice issued for a minimum period of 2 years
• keep a record of any wholesale purchases for a minimum period of 2 years
• keep a record of the number and type of tobacco products purchased and sold each month and provide them to us annually with your licence renewal application
• keep a list of the addresses of any premises used for the storage and distribution of tobacco products
• provide copies of these records when we request them.

Record keeping for purchases from wholesalers

All licensees must keep detailed records of purchases from Australian and overseas wholesalers for at least 2 years.

For purchases from Australian wholesalers, keep these records:

• Copy of invoice
• Date of supply
• Brand name, type, variant and quantity of tobacco products supplied
• Wholesaler tobacco licence number
• Wholesaler business name, company name, ABN and ACN
• Postal address, phone number, and email address

For purchases from overseas wholesalers, keep these records:

• Copy of invoice
• Date of supply
• Brand name, type, variant and quantity of tobacco products supplied
• Wholesaler name, business name
• Postal address, phone number and email address
• Proof of the legal importation of the tobacco products
• Records of taxation or excise payments

Specific conditions

We can also impose tailored conditions on any licence to reduce specific risks, for example restrictions on operating hours or the display of certain products.

This can happen when we grant a new licence or as part of a transfer, relocation or variation application.

Keep your information up to date

You must tell us about changes to the information that you provided in your application within 14 days of the change.

This includes information about:

• the licensee
• key business personnel
• premises details
• associates
• updates to documents you have previously provided.

Read our Manage your tobacco licence page for more information and to complete the form to notify us of any changes.

Providing false or misleading information is an offence, with a penalty of $12,210.60 for a person or $61,053 for businesses.