Tobacco retailers

Tobacco Business Licensing Scheme

If you sell tobacco in Victoria, either to the public or to other businesses, you must have a tobacco licence. This applies to both retail and wholesale sales.

From 1 July 2025, Tobacco retailers and wholesalers must apply for a tobacco licence.

Enforcement and compliance will begin on 1 February 2026. Businesses that sell tobacco must have a licence by this date.

For more information or to apply for a licence, see About Tobacco Licensing Victoria.

Key requirements for tobacco retailers

Key requirements for tobacco retailers include:

• a ban on the sale of tobacco products to people under 18 years of age
• a ban on the display and advertising of tobacco products
• displaying relevant signage ie. Health warning and no sale to U18
• a ban on tobacco products from shopper loyalty programs
• ensuring that people under 18 years of age do not purchase tobacco products from a vending machine on their premises.

Factsheets for tobacco retailers

These factsheets will assist tobacco retailers in meeting their obligations. They replace the Tobacco Retailer Guide.

Local council inspectors

Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) from Victoria's local councils are authorised to enforce tobacco legislation. They enforce the laws by:

• making education visits to tobacco retailers
• undertaking test purchases in shops that sell tobacco to determine compliance with laws preventing the sale of tobacco products to people under 18.

Tobacco inspectors have the power to:

• inspect parts of the tobacco retail outlet that are open to the public
• request the name and address of anyone they believe may have committed an offence under the Tobacco Act 1987
• inspect and measure potential tobacco advertisements located behind the counter.

Tobacco inspectors do not need written consent or a search warrant to inspect and measure the tobacco display, but they must show their identity card before going behind the counter.

By law, you must provide your full name and address to tobacco inspectors.

You have the right to an interpreter.

You have the right to refuse to answer any questions asked by tobacco inspectors at any stage in the interview. However, the interview is an opportunity for you to explain the circumstances that led to the breach of the Act.

Victorian tobacco licensing inspectors

For more information about the role of Victorian tobacco licensing inspectors, see Tobacco Licensing Victoria.

Ban Orders

There are currently 2 Ministerial Ban Orders under Section 15(O) of the Tobacco Act 1987. For further details visit:

• Victorian Government Gazette - Ministerial order banning the sale of certain tobacco products (June 2010)
• Victorian Government Gazette - Ministerial order banning certain tobacco and non-tobacco products (October 2011) (PDF)

Specialist tobacconist certification scheme ended 30 June 2025

The specialist tobacconist certification scheme that provided an exemption to certain tobacconists ended on 30 June 2025.

Part 4 of the Tobacco Amendment (Tobacco Retailer and Wholesaler Licensing Scheme) Act 2024 amended the Tobacco Act 1987 to repeal the certified specialist scheme. As of 1 July 2025, all certificates are no longer valid.

All retailers selling tobacco products in Victoria need to ensure that no tobacco products and/or advertisements are visible to the public anywhere inside or outside their premises. All businesses wishing to sell tobacco will be required to apply for a license. For more information or to apply for a licence, see Tobacco Licensing Victoria.

Resources

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