Rules by country / Asia Pacific / Australia alcohol excise 2026
Australia alcohol excise 2026: what it costs each drink, and what to do
Excise rises with inflation every February and August. Since 3 August 2026, packaged beer pays A$65.03 a litre of alcohol and spirits A$110.15, while draught beer stays frozen at A$43.39. We work out the duty on every product and how to price for each rise.
At the ATO's rates from 3 August 2026, against the rates from 2 February 2026. Beer pays only on its alcohol above 1.15%.
A duty pass-on plan for Australia
How much of each excise rise to pass on, product by product, with a price plan ready before February and August.
- How much of each duty rise to pass on, product by product, and how sure we are
- The price points and pack sizes that carry the duty best
- How shoppers switch between beer, wine and spirits when prices move
- A price plan for each retailer, and an Excel model to update at each rise
How your results look
| Product | Excise a pack | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Lager, 24 x 375ml, 4.8% | A$21.36 | Pass on in full |
| Vodka, 700ml, 37.5% | A$28.91 | Hold the price point |
| RTD, 4 x 375ml, 5% | A$8.26 | Pass on in steps |
Fictional products. Every real result comes with the expected sales and profit, and a likely range.
Your options
Every option has a fixed price, agreed before we start.
Duty pass-on plan
- The duty and best choice for each product
- Price plan for each retailer
- Scenario model and a walk-through
Pricing review with the duty
- Everything in the duty review
- Prices and promotions for the whole range
- How your products take sales from each other
Portfolio review
- Everything in the pricing review
- More retailers and data sources
- A plan for each channel
After the project: a refresh before each pricing round, from £2,000 (about A$3,800). Prices are fixed in pounds sterling; amounts in Australian dollars are a guide at October 2026 exchange rates. We're based in the UK and work remotely, in English, under NDA.
How it works
From the first call to your plan in about three weeks.
A free 15-minute call
Tell us about your range. We say whether a review would pay for itself, and quote a fixed price.
Your data
Sales by product and retailer, recipes and costs. We sign an NDA before anything moves.
Your plan
The duty on every product, the best choice and a price plan, walked through with your team.
Australia alcohol excise: the detail
Open only what you need.
- Indexation
- Every February and August, in line with the consumer price index (1.020 for August 2026)
- Packaged beer
- A$65.03 a litre of alcohol over 3% strength since 3 August 2026, up from A$63.75
- Draught beer
- A$43.39 a litre of alcohol, frozen for the four indexation dates from August 2025 to February 2027
- Spirits and RTDs
- A$110.15 a litre of alcohol since 3 August 2026, up from A$107.99
- Beer's free alcohol
- Beer pays duty only on its alcohol above 1.15% by volume
- Wine
- The Wine Equalisation Tax, 29% of the wholesale value, instead of excise
- Small producers
- Excise remission for brewers and distillers, and the WET rebate, capped at A$400,000 a year
Pass it on
Raise the price by the tax or more. Works for products whose sales hold up when the price rises.
Absorb it
Keep the price and take the cost. Works when a rise would push a product past a key price point and lose more profit than the tax.
Change the strength
The duty is charged on the alcohol, so a small cut in strength lowers it on every pack.
What is the alcohol excise rate in Australia?
Since 3 August 2026: A$65.03 a litre of alcohol for packaged beer over 3%, A$43.39 for draught beer in kegs, and A$110.15 for spirits and RTDs. Wine pays the 29% Wine Equalisation Tax instead.
When does alcohol tax go up in Australia?
Every February and August, in line with inflation. The next rise is in February 2027.
Is the beer excise frozen in Australia?
On draught beer, yes: indexation is frozen for the four dates from August 2025 to February 2027. Packaged beer still rises.
How much excise is on a carton of beer in Australia?
About A$21.36 on 24 x 375ml at 4.8%, because beer pays A$65.03 a litre on its alcohol above 1.15%.
How much does a duty pass-on plan cost?
A review of up to 10 products has a fixed price from £7,500 (about A$14,000) and takes about three weeks. For 11 to 50 products, a full pricing review costs around £17,500 (about A$33,000). It starts with a free 15-minute call.
Do you work with brands in Australia?
Yes. We're based in the UK and work remotely and in English, under NDA. Prices are fixed in pounds sterling before we start, and the first step is a free 15-minute call.
- Australian Taxation Office, excise duty rates for alcohol
- Australian Border Force, Customs Notice 2026/30
- Prime Minister of Australia, freeze on draught beer excise (1 March 2025)
Checked on 25 October 2026. Rules and rates change, so check the official source before making decisions. This page is not tax advice.