Producing alcoholic beverages

Starting an alcoholic beverage business typically involves a significant financial commitment and having to manage a range of regulatory requirements.

As you begin the process of researching and information gathering, you could consider:

• Your long term business and financial plans
• Compliance obligations
• The applications and approvals required (including the departments you will require approval from and consultant reports that you will require)

Resources to help you during phase 1

• Use the Starting a beverage business in WA online self-assessment compliance form to understand the key compliance requirements you need to consider. The information from this self-assessment tool can be used to undertake further research, build your business plan and act as a reference when speaking to local, state and federal governments.
• Download and refer to the Beverage production checklist and consideration guide.
• Download the SBDC's free business plan templates or attend our How to Write a Business Plan workshop to help you get started.
• Download the Beverage production in WA flow chart.

Tip: It is recommended that you download your completed documents (eg. compliance form, business plan) for later reference.

As you start learning and preparing to submit your applications:

• Discuss your business vision and goals with your local government to check that the site/premise you are considering can accommodate the proposal.
• Learn which applications can be submitted at the same time with different departments, which approvals are dependent on others and what consultant reports are required, and when, for each approval.
• Consider the cost of consultant reports in your financial planning.

Resources to help you in phase 2

• Consider your liquor licence options guide
• Consultant consideration guide – water and waste (domestic and trade)
• Guide to trade waste approval requirements for beer production

• Coordinate and attend concept meetings with relevant government agencies to clarify your regulatory requirements to inform and refine your business and financial plans based on your knowledge and understanding of compliance obligations.
• Engage consultants, prepare applications and support documents, and submit in the correct sequencing as per advice provided through your concept meetings with local, state and federal government
• Ensure that you submit each approval in the correct sequencing and take your time to ensure all information is correct, as poor quality and incomplete applications may result in increased costs and time delays.

Resources to help you in phase 3

• Trade waste estimator guide and top tips

Tip: During this phase, we recommend you revisit the Consultant consideration guide – water and waste (domestic and trade).

At this stage, you should have clarity on the process, cost, timelines and associated approval dependencies. 

Be prepared to provide more information if required to support your applications. When you receive determinations and approvals, make sure you read, fully understand and are prepared to action and manage any approval conditions.

Be aware that some determinations may be based on conditional approval.

Once you have the outcomes of your applications, you can begin preparing for onsite inspections and for any adjustments that may be required to meet regulatory requirements.

We strongly recommend having a clear understanding of your ongoing business responsibilities in line with the licences and permits granted to you.

Resources to help you during phase 5

Revisit the following resources and any notes you made when using them:

• Your completed Starting a beverage business in WA online self-assessment compliance form
• Beverage production checklist and consideration guide
• Your business and financial plan (completed in phase 1)

Be aware of and manage annual fees and regular reporting requirements.

Resources to help you during phase 6

Revisit the following resources and any notes you made when using them:

• Trade waste estimator guide and top tips

Be aware that increased production, diversification and/ or market extension may impact current approval conditions and require resubmission of applications and decision outcomes (e.g. this could be a new determination, a variation of an existing licence or a new approval).

Always check your current approval conditions and discuss your ideas with relevant agencies before investing time, resources and money.

Resources to help you in phase 7

Revisit the following resources and any notes you made when using them:

• Trade waste estimator guide and top tips
• Consultant consideration guide – water and waste (domestic and trade)
• Your business and financial plan (completed in phase 1)