Ban on undesirable liquor products

Under the Liquor Act 1992, alcohol products that are declared 'undesirable' can be banned from sale and supply.

You must stay up-to-date with the liquor products that are deemed undesirable and ensure that you do not sell or supply these banned items. Such products are listed on this page as they become banned.

Classification of undesirable liquor products

Any of the following criteria may be used to classify a product as 'undesirable':

  • The name of the product, design of packaging of the liquor product, or class of the product (the product) is likely to be attractive to minors or young people.
  • The product is likely to be confused with soft drink or confectionery.
  • The product, for any reason, is likely to have a special appeal to minors or young people.
  • It is otherwise in the public interest to declare the product to be an undesirable liquor product.

Liquor products that are currently banned

Undesirable liquor products can be subject to either an interim ban or permanent ban as declared by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.

Interim ban

An immediate interim ban of an undesirable liquor product can be declared for a 42-day period. When this happens, a notice will be published below. During this time, all sale and supply of the product is prohibited.

During the interim ban, alcohol industry representatives, manufacturers and distributors of the undesirable liquor product have the opportunity to consult with the Minister regarding a permanent ban on the product or class of product.

There are no interim bans of undesirable liquor products at this time. Please check back regularly.

Permanent ban

Any undesirable liquor product that is permanently banned is listed in the Liquor Regulation 2002. Currently, these are:

  • Any product that is liquor in powdered or crystal form. This includes, but is not limited to, the powdered alcohol known as ‘Palcohol’, as well as powdered alcohol contained in a capsule or in the form of a tablet.
  • Any liquor jelly product that is sold by a licensed premises for off-premises or takeaway consumption. Licensed premises that sell only takeaway alcohol are banned from stocking and selling liquor jelly products. However, licensed premises that sell alcohol for on-premises consumption are permitted to sell these products for consumption at their licensed venue, in-line with responsible service of alcohol standards.
  • Any liquor jelly product that is sold or supplied in a syringe or syringe-like packaging for on-premises or off-premises consumption.
  • A product containing liquor in a flexible tube bearing a name that includes either or both of the words 'go' or 'vodka', whether in lower case, upper case or a combination of both. Note: 'Flexible tube' means a flexible metal, plastic or laminate container sealed permanently at one end and having a cap at the other end.

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  • Last reviewed: 4 Jul 2018
  • Last updated: 4 Jul 2018