Retailers and wholesalers must have a licence to sell tobacco products in NSW
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.
On this page
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About the new tobacco licensing scheme
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Important dates
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Who can submit an application for a licence?
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How to make an application
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Which businesses need a tobacco licence
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Licence fee
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Requirements for holding a licence
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Reasons a licence application may be refused
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Closure orders for trading without a licence
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Fines and penalties
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Support available
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Why the tobacco licensing scheme is needed
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Related links
About the new tobacco licensing scheme
NSW's tobacco licensing scheme commenced on 1 July 2025. The three-month transitional period for the scheme has now ended. Unless they have aplied for a licence before 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.
Important dates
By 1 October 2025
- If you submitted a valid licence application on or before 1 October 2025, you can continue trading until you are notified of the outcome of your application. If a licence is granted to you, you may then continue to sell tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products. If your application is refused, you must stop selling tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products.
From 2 October 2025
- If you apply for a licence on or after 2 October 2025 you can only sell tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products once your licence has been granted. You may be liable for severe penalties if you continue to sell tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products without a licence.
- NSW Health inspectors are monitoring compliance with the requirements to hold a licence to sell tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products. Trading without a licence may result in enforcement action being taken.
Who can submit an application for a licence?
An applicant may be an individual or a corporation. The application may be submitted through the
online portal by any of the following people:
- if the applicant is an individual; the individual themselves
- if the applicant is a corporation; a director
- if the applicant is a trust; a trustee
- if the applicant is a partnership; a partner.
How to apply for a tobacco licence
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:
- proof of identity documents
- a
national police check certificate obtained within 3 months (this can take several weeks to process)
- a credit card for payment at the end of the online application process.
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.
Which businesses need a tobacco licence?
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:
- If you have an online store and a physical store, you require two licences.
- If you have three physical stores, you require three licences.
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.
Licence fee
A fee of $1,100 applies for each licence. All retailers and wholesalers will need to renew their licence annually.
Requirements for holding a licence
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.
Reasons a licence application may be refused
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:
- if you have been found guilty of an offence relating to the sale or supply of tobacco or vaping goods under any relevant state and Commonwealth legislation.
- if you provide false or misleading information.
- on the recommendation of a law enforcement agency, including the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police or other state, territory or Commonwealth agency.
- if you have been the recipient of a closure order (i.e. the owner or occupier of premises that are or have been subject to a closure order).
- if you failed to comply with the requirements of another tobacco retail or wholesale licence in NSW (for refusal to grant or renew a licence only).
- after considering other relevant information such as previous non-compliance with tobacco or vaping goods legislation (for refusal to grant or renew a licence).
- if you have failed to comply with a condition of the licence (for a licence revocation).
Closure orders for trading without a 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
Fines and penalties
New penalties have been introduced for selling tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products without a valid licence. The maximum penalties are:
- $660,000 for an individual
- $880,000 for a corporation.
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.
Support available
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.
Why the tobacco licensing scheme is needed
The tobacco licensing scheme will:
- ensure accurate information is collected on tobacco retailing and wholesaling activities in NSW to support enforcement efforts
- deter tobacco retailing businesses from operating outside of the law
- provide greater oversight of the tobacco retail industry
- support our comprehensive approach to tobacco control in NSW.
Related links