Producer / Wholesale Operators

Producer/wholesaler licences apply to wine producers, brewers, distillers, and wholesalers.

Wholesalers who do not qualify as producers are only permitted to sell liquor by wholesale to those who have a liquor licence, for example restaurants, bottle shops, and pubs.

Producers may sell their liquor by retail (to the general public) and by wholesale (to existing licensed restaurants and bottle shops).

For beer and spirit producers, the key ingredient (such as hops or truffles) means you are a primary producer. If the liquor product is uniquely your own, even if you contract production to a third party, then you are a producer.  For wine producers, if you own a vineyard within 500 metres of your licensed premises, you qualify as a wine producer as you grow the grapes, even if you use a contract winemaker.

Liquor producers, such as winemakers, brewers and distillers, can:

• conduct tastings

• sell the licensee’s product by retail to the general public, both online or directly from the licensed premises, if permissible under the relevant development consent

• Sell the licensee’s product to wholesale customers (those who are authorised to sell liquor)

• sell the licensee’s product by retail at liquor industry shows and farmers' markets or fairs

• apply for a drink-on premises authorisation to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises.