Retailers and wholesalers must apply for a tobacco licence to sell tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products in NSW.
If you apply for a licence after 1 October 2025, you can only sell these products once your licence has been granted. Refer to important dates.
NSW's tobacco licensing scheme commenced on 1 July 2025. The three-month transitional period for the scheme has now ended. Unless they have applied for a licence before or on 1 October 2025, tobacco retailers and wholesalers must have a licence to sell tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products in NSW.
The retailer identification number (RIN) system is no longer operating.
The tobacco licensing scheme covers tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products.
In NSW, vaping goods can only be purchased from pharmacies for therapeutic use. Pharmacies do not need a tobacco licence to sell vaping products. It is illegal for all other retailers such as tobacconists, supermarkets, and convenience stores to sell any type of vaping good, regardless of its nicotine content. Significant penalties apply.
Retailers and wholesalers can apply for a licence using their MyServiceNSW account via Service NSW. The application is expected to take no longer than 20 minutes to complete online.
Applicants will enter details of their business structure (individual or corporation), ABN, address and business details of each premises where tobacco is sold (or, if an online business, details of any associated website).
Applicants will need:
If you are submitting an application on behalf of a corporation, trust or partnership, select the option to submit an application for a corporation.
After you apply for a licence, you will get an email notification that your application has been received and is being considered. We encourage you to check your spam or junk folder if you do not receive this email.
For more information about applying for a tobacco licence, visit Application requirements.
All retailers and wholesalers selling tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products in NSW need a licence.
A separate licence is needed for each premises where tobacco is sold. Online tobacco retailers will require a retail licence for each online store.
For example:
Liquor licensed hospitality venues that sell tobacco over the counter or via a vending machine, or both, require a retail tobacco licence.
A vending machine supplier requires a wholesale licence if they supply vending machines with tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products inside or alongside the machine.
Further information on licensing requirements for vending machines can be found at: Factsheet - Tobacco vending machines.
A fee of $1,100 applies for each licence. All retailers and wholesalers will need to renew their licence annually.
Retailers and wholesalers who hold a tobacco licence must comply with tobacco retailing laws in NSW. A copy of the licence must be displayed at the point of sale. For more information on tobacco retailing laws, visit Tobacco retailing laws in NSW.
The NSW Health Secretary or delegate can refuse an application for a licence, refuse an application to renew a licence, or revoke an existing licence:
From 3 November 2025, the NSW Government’s tough new closure order powers come into force.
The NSW Health Secretary or delegate can close a premises for up to 90 days if the Secretary or delegate reasonably suspects illicit tobacco or illegal vaping goods have been or are likely to be sold, or if tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products are sold or are likely to be sold without a licence, from the premises. A Local Court can close a premises for up to one year if it is satisfied that illicit tobacco or illegal vaping goods have been or are likely to be sold, or if tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products are sold or are likely to be sold without a licence, from the premises.
There are substantial penalties for continuing to sell products from a premises subject to a closure order. Further information on the closure order provisions and penalties can be found here
New penalties have been introduced for selling tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products without a valid licence. The maximum penalties are:
Penalties for a range of other tobacco retailing offences have also been significantly increased to reflect the seriousness of these offences. For more information on tobacco retailing penalties please see Penalties and enforcement.
Call the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412 if you have questions about the licensing scheme or if you need assistance with the application process.
The tobacco licensing scheme will: