Is It Legal to Distil Alcohol in Australia? What You Can Do in 2026

Updated September 2026.

The short answer: owning and using a still is legal in Australia. You can buy one, keep one and use it to make distilled water, essential oils and hydrosols with no paperwork, as long as it holds 5 litres or less. The one thing that needs a licence is distilling spirits to drink, and that licence is set up for commercial distilleries rather than home use. Brewing beer, wine, cider and mead for yourself is completely legal.

What you can do with a still

Most of what people picture when they think of a still is legal. With a still of 5 litres or less, such as the Air Still or Air Still Pro, you can:

• make distilled water for drinking, cooking, aquariums, irons and CPAP machines
• extract essential oils from lavender, eucalyptus, citrus peel and other plants
• make hydrosols (floral waters) for skincare and cleaning
• learn how distillation works before you commit to anything bigger

A small still needs no registration or permit.

Bigger stills need a permit

A still over 5 litres needs a permit from the ATO before you buy, sell, move or keep one, even if you only ever use it for water or oils. It's an application form, not a business licence. If you're buying a larger still such as a T500, this process would apply.

Where the licence comes in

Distilling spirits to drink, whether it's vodka, gin, rum or whisky, needs an excise manufacturer licence from the ATO. 

The licence exists so that spirits made for sale are taxed, which is why the ATO issues it for commercial production, not home use. There is no hobby or personal use version. If you're planning a craft distillery, the licence is the first step, and the ATO website (ato.gov.au) walks you through the application.

Brewing is a different story

Beer, wine, cider, mead and ginger beer are all legal to make at home for yourself and to share with friends. The only limit is selling them, which needs a licence. That's the part of the hobby we've been helping Australians with since 1968.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to distil alcohol for personal use in Australia?

Owning and using a still is legal in Australia, and you can make distilled water and essential oils with no paperwork. Distilling spirits to drink needs an ATO excise licence, which is set up for commercial distilleries rather than home use. Brewing beer, wine and cider for yourself is completely legal.

Is it legal to own a still in Australia?

Yes. A still of 5 litres or under needs no permission at all. Larger stills need a permit from the ATO, which covers buying, owning and moving one.

Do I need a licence for a 5 litre still?

Not to own it or to make distilled water and essential oils with it. A licence is only needed if you use it to distil spirits to drink, whatever the still's size.

Can I get a licence to distil at home as a hobby?

No. The ATO issues excise manufacturer licences for commercial production, so there is no hobby licence. If you're starting a distillery business, the ATO website explains how to apply.

Is home distilling legal in New Zealand?

Yes. New Zealand has allowed distilling spirits for personal use since 1996, so Kiwi customers can use the same stills and methods without a licence.

Questions about a still or what's right for you? Call us or visit our Melbourne store. We've been in this hobby since 1968 and we're happy to help.

 Australian Home Brewing.