Navigating the compliance requirements of producing alcoholic beverages in Western Australia has become easier with the launch of a new Producing alcoholic beverages toolkit.
Developed in consultation with small business owners, the Western Australian Brewers Association and representatives across local, state and federal government, the toolkit:
- breaks down the process of starting a beverage business into seven easy to follow phases
- outlines the compliance obligations associated with beverage manufacturing in Western Australia
- provides tools, fact sheets, templates and flow charts to help navigate the journey
- lays out the steps to help brewers plan and make informed business decisions to minimise delays and unexpected costs.
View the Producing alcoholic beverages toolkit
Working together to make it easier to do business
The Producing alcoholic beverages toolkit was created through the work of the SBDC’s Small Business Friendly Approvals Program Craft Brewer Project.
The whole-of-government project has mapped the application and approval process for a small craft brewer that must navigate applications and approvals across three tiers of government to meet compliance obligations. The craft brewing sector was chosen for a focus project due to its regulatory complexity, with a desire to use the learnings from this project to inform compliance journeys for similar sectors.
Since commencement of the project in July 2025, the SBDC’s team has collaborated with representatives from the craft brewing industry and government stakeholders to:
- map the application and approvals journey for the craft brewing sector of the WA beverage industry
- consider both the small business and government perspective of the approvals process
- identify pain points and opportunities for improvement
The video below documents the process we have followed to capture the brewer experience and help all parties clearly understand the pathway to starting and growing a craft brewery in Western Australia.
The SBDC’s goal is to make it easier to do business in Western Australia. Collaborative projects such as the Small Business Friendly Approvals Program Craft Brewer Project demonstrate the appetite across government and industry to support entrepreneurship and help small businesses start well, survive and grow with the right support.
