From 1 July 2025 NSW tobacco retailers will be required to apply for a Licence to retail tobacco products. This new Licencing Scheme replaces the current registration scheme so ALL tobacco retailers, even those who are currently registered, must apply for, and hold a licence before the grace period expires.
What has changed
As ACAPMAg covered last year when the legislation was released (see here), on 1 July 2025 applications can be made to the brand new NSW Tobacco Licencing Scheme.
The Licencing Scheme completely replaces the current ‘registration’ scheme.
“What is important for all members to note is that there is no automatic rollover from the registration scheme to the licencing scheme. This means that each retailer will need to apply for a licence, even if they are currently registered to retail tobacco”, explains ACAPMAs Elisha Radwanowski.
Key Dates
- 1 July 2025
- The applications for the new Tobacco Licences open for tobacco retailers and wholesalers
- 1 October 2025
- A valid licence MUST be submitted to the authorities BEFORE this date in order to continue retailing/wholesaling tobacco.
- “This is the last chance for operators to apply and continue trading while the application is processed. Any application received after 1 October 2025 will have to remove all tobacco products from sale until AFTER the application is approved”, added Elisha.
- 2 October 2025
- All retailers and wholesalers must hold either a valid Licence or evidence of an Application for a Licence dated before 2 October 2025 in order to offer tobacco products for sale.
- Any application for a licence received on or after 2 October 2025 will be required to wait until AFTER the application is approved and the Licence granted BEFORE they can retail tobacco, and must remove from sale any such products until such approval is granted.
Penalties
Fines of $11,000 to the individual and $220,000 for the business for a first offence, apply to any found retailing or wholesaling tobacco in breach of these provisions.
The fines for individuals rise to $44,000 to the individual for second and subsequent offences.
Next Steps
The applications for Tobacco Licences are open now, and ACAPMA recommends all members turn their attention to the application process without delay to avoid disruptions as the Licencing Scheme applies in full from 1 October 2025.
- Apply for a Tobacco Licence – https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/tobacco-retailers
- Application Requirement – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/application-requirements.aspx
- More Information – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobaccolicensing
ACAPMA
