Information for tobacco sellers
Tobacco sellers in Western Australia are required to comply with tobacco control legislation that regulates the sale and supply of tobacco products and tobacco smoking implements.
These laws aim to protect children and young people and reduce harms associated with tobacco use.
New tobacco and vaping laws were passed by the WA Parliament in March 2026. Find out more about the changes. Information below will be updated as the laws come into effect.
Requirements for tobacco sellers
Tobacco sellers must:
These requirements apply to all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, shisha and loose tobacco, as well as tobacco smoking implements such as cigarette papers, hookahs and water pipes.
Retailers must also:
- only sell tobacco products from one location within a retail shop.
- keep tobacco products in a fully enclosed sales unit or cabinet so they are not visible from inside or outside the premises.
- display mandatory signage.
- not allow employees under the age of 18 years to sell tobacco products
Advertising, promotions, competitions and reward schemes for tobacco products are also prohibited.
Staff training
Retailers should ensure that all staff involved in the sale of tobacco products understand and comply with the legislation.
A staff training package is available to support training and assessment. It includes:
A recommended approach is to:
- Provide training before staff sell tobacco products
- Check staff knowledge using the questionnaire
- Keep records of completed training using the acknowledgement form
- Provide refresher training at least every six months.
Regular training supports consistent ID checks, improves staff confidence, and reduces the risk of non-compliance and enforcement action.
Tobacco seller licences
A valid licence is required to sell tobacco products in Western Australia.
This applies to:
- retailers
- wholesalers
- indirect sellers (e.g, online, phone, fax).
Selling tobacco without a licence can result in penalties of up to $1.2 million for individuals and $6 million for a company. People involved may also face up to 10 years in prison.
More information: Tobacco sellers licensing
Proof-of-age requirements
It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco products or smoking implements to anyone under 18 years old.
Staff should request proof-of-age identification (ID) from anyone who looks under 25 years old.
Acceptable forms of ID
- current Australian driver’s licence
- current passport
- WA proof-of-age card (Liquor Control Regulations 1989)
- WA photo card (Western Australian Photo Card Act 2014)
- Proof-of-age card issued by an Australian state or territory government.
ID must be current (not expired) and include a photo and date of birth. Student cards, including university or college cards, are not accepted.
Sales should be refused if a person
- does not show ID when asked
- provides ID without a date of birth
- presents ID that looks fake, altered or damaged
Penalties
The on-the-spot fine for selling to a person under 18 years old is $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a company. The maximum penalty is up to $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for a company.
Mandatory signs for tobacco sellers
Mandatory signs are issued with a tobacco seller licence. To request a replacement, email apply.TVRD@health.wa.gov.au with your licence number and the signs needed.
Retailers must display:
If price information is displayed (information sign, price sign, price tickets or price list):
Tobacco product requirements
Tobacco products sold in Australia must comply with Australian Government laws, including requirements for:
- plain packaging
- size and design
- health warnings
- restrictions on flavours and pack sizes.
This applies to all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, loose tobacco and shisha.
More information: Tobacco product and packaging requirements (external link)
Prohibited products
Illicit tobacco or vaping products cannot be stored, sold or supplied from any retail premises.
This includes:
- tobacco products that do not meet the exact standards for packaging, labelling, contents and health warnings required under Australian Government laws
- loose tobacco or cigarettes sold without packaging
- tobacco products that have been illegally imported
- disposable vapes and any other vaping products supplied without a prescription.
Other products may also be prescribed under the regulations.
Maximum penalty for possession of a large commercial quantity of illicit tobacco or vapes:
- up to $4.2 million (individual) or $21 million (company)
- up to 15 years in prison.
Other products that cannot be sold
Nicotine pouches cannot be sold in retail stores or online.
Compliance and enforcement
The Department of Health undertakes a range of activities to support and monitor compliance with tobacco laws across Western Australia. This includes retailer and industry education, advisory visits, inspections and compliance surveys.
Appropriate enforcement action is taken against businesses and individuals who do not comply with the legislation. This may include:
- infringement notices (on-the-spot fines)
- individuals or businesses being taken to court
- products being seized
- premises may be subject to a closure order.
Tobacco Retailer Compliance Survey
The Department of Health conducts tobacco compliance surveys to collect information about the supply of tobacco products to people under 18 years old.
Survey results:
These surveys inform targeted compliance activities where a business may be fined if they sell tobacco to a person under 18 years old.
More information
Tobacco and Vape Regulation
Email: apply.TVRD@health.wa.gov.au
Last reviewed: 19-06-2026