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The Complete Guide to Home Distilling in Australia - Distillery King Australia
January 28, 2026 Distillery King

The Complete Guide to Home Distilling in Australia

Home distilling in Australia is legal with the appropriate license from the Australian Tax Office (ATO). While many Australians believe distilling is completely illegal, this is a common misconception. You can legally own a still under 5 litres for non-alcoholic purposes without any registration. For distilling alcohol, you need a free excise manufacturer's license from the ATO, and you must pay excise duty on the alcohol you produce for consumption.

At Distillery King, we've helped thousands of Australians navigate the home distilling journey since establishing ourselves as Australia's leading supplier of home distilling equipment, essences, and brewing supplies from our Brisbane headquarters. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to get started.

Table of Contents

The legality of home distilling in Australia is straightforward once you understand the rules. Here's the definitive breakdown from the ATO regulations:

Stills Under 5 Litres

You can own a still with a capacity under 5 litres without registration, provided you're using it for legal purposes such as distilling water, making essential oils, or extracting herbal tinctures. This is why the popular Still Spirits Air Still has a 4-litre capacity.

Stills Over 5 Litres

Stills with a capacity over 5 litres must be registered with the ATO before assembly. This applies even if you're not using it to produce alcohol. The registration process involves notifying the ATO of your intent to manufacture a still.

Producing Alcohol

Regardless of still size, you need an excise manufacturer's license to distil alcohol for consumption. This license is free to obtain but requires you to pay excise duty on any alcohol produced.

The excise rate as of 2026 is approximately $101.85 per litre of pure alcohol, which adds around $28.52 to every 700ml bottle at 40% ABV. This is the same tax built into commercial spirits at the bottle shop—you're not paying extra, just the same duty that Bundaberg Rum or Smirnoff pays.

The Bottom Line

Think of it like driving a car. Driving isn't illegal—driving without a license is. Similarly, distilling isn't illegal—distilling alcohol without the proper license and paying the applicable excise is what's prohibited.

What Equipment Do You Need to Start?

For beginners, we recommend starting with one of two paths depending on your space, budget, and goals:

The Compact Beginner Path: Air Still or Air Still Pro

Perfect for apartments, small spaces, or those wanting to experiment before committing to larger equipment.

  • Still: Still Spirits Air Still Pro - 4L benchtop unit
  • Cooling: Air-cooled (no water connection needed)
  • Output: Approximately 700ml of 60% ABV spirit per 2-hour run
  • Modes: Dual-mode (reflux for clean spirit, pot still for botanicals)
  • Starting Investment: Approximately $400-$600 with full starter kit

The Air Still Pro is ideal if you live in an apartment, don't have easy access to running water during distillation, or want to make small experimental batches of gin with botanicals.

The Serious Hobbyist Path: T500 Reflux Still

For those with dedicated space and commitment to producing larger quantities of higher-purity spirit.

  • Still: Still Spirits T500 with 25L boiler
  • Cooling: Water-cooled (requires tap connection during operation)
  • Output: Up to 3.5L of 93%+ ABV spirit per run
  • Modes: Reflux (add Alembic dome later for pot still capability)
  • Starting Investment: Approximately $800-$1,200 with complete kit

The T500 is the gold standard for home neutral spirit production. One T500 run produces the equivalent of 10+ Air Still runs, making it far more efficient for regular distillers.

Essential Accessories for Any Setup

  • Fermenter: 30L plastic fermenter with airlock and tap
  • Hydrometer: For measuring alcohol content in your wash
  • Alcometer: For measuring the ABV of your distillate
  • Turbo Yeast: Still Spirits Turbo Yeast for fermentation
  • Turbo Clear: To clarify your wash before distilling
  • Carbon Filter: For polishing your finished spirit
  • Collection Jars: For separating heads, hearts, and tails

How Much Does Home Distilling Cost?

Initial Setup Costs

  • Air Still Starter Kit: $599-719
  • Air Still Pro Complete Kit: $1,098-1,319
  • T500 Complete Distillery Kit: $1,199-1,349

Ongoing Cost Per Bottle

After your initial setup, here's what each 750ml bottle of 40% ABV spirit costs to make:

  • Sugar: ~$1.50
  • Yeast & Nutrients: ~$2.50
  • Essence (if using): ~$4.50
  • Excise Duty: ~$28.50
  • Total: ~$37 per bottle

Compare this to $60-80+ for a premium bottle at the bottle shop. Even with excise, you're saving 40-50% on quality spirits. If you're making fuel alcohol or essential oils (no excise), your costs drop to under $10 per equivalent bottle.

Your First Distilling Run - Step by Step

Step 1: Create Your Wash (Fermentation) - Day 1

  1. Clean and sanitise your fermenter thoroughly
  2. Add 21 litres of water at approximately 30°C
  3. Dissolve 6kg of white sugar or dextrose while stirring
  4. Add your Turbo Yeast and nutrients, stir well
  5. Seal the fermenter with an airlock half-filled with water
  6. Place in a location at 20-25°C

Step 2: Wait for Fermentation - Days 2-7

Your airlock will bubble as CO2 is released. Fermentation typically takes 5-7 days depending on temperature and yeast type. It's complete when:

  • The airlock stops bubbling
  • Your hydrometer reads below 990
  • The wash smells alcoholic, not sweet

Step 3: Clear Your Wash - Day 7-8

  1. Add Turbo Clear according to packet directions
  2. Wait 24 hours for yeast and solids to settle
  3. Carefully siphon the clear liquid off the sediment into your still boiler
  4. Leave the cloudy sediment behind—it causes off-flavours if distilled

Step 4: Distil Your Spirit - Day 8-9

  1. Set up your still according to the manufacturer's instructions
  2. Turn on heat and wait for the still to come up to temperature
  3. Collect output in small jars (200-250ml each) and number them
  4. Foreshots (first 50ml): Discard—contains trace methanol and acetone
  5. Heads (next 100-200ml): Set aside—harsh, solvent smell
  6. Hearts (middle 60-70%): Keep—this is your quality spirit
  7. Tails (when quality drops): Set aside—can add to next wash

Step 5: Dilute and Flavour - Day 9+

  1. Use your alcometer to measure the ABV of your collected hearts
  2. Dilute to drinking strength (typically 40% ABV) using distilled water
  3. For neutral spirits, run through a carbon filter
  4. Add essences or age on oak for your desired flavour
  5. Rest for at least a week before drinking for best results

What Spirits Can You Make at Home?

With the right equipment and techniques, you can make virtually any spirit at home:

Neutral Spirits (Reflux Still)

  • Vodka: Pure neutral spirit, filtered through carbon
  • Gin: Neutral spirit redistilled with botanicals
  • Flavoured Spirits: Neutral spirit + essences

Flavoured Spirits (Pot Still)

  • Whiskey: From grain mash, aged on oak
  • Rum: From molasses or raw sugar, aged on oak
  • Brandy: From wine or fruit mash

Liqueurs

  • Cream Liqueurs: Spirit + cream base + flavouring
  • Schnapps: Spirit + schnapps base + flavouring
  • Fruit Liqueurs: Spirit + fruit + sugar

Is Home Distilling Safe?

Yes, home distilling is safe when done correctly with proper equipment. Let's address the common concerns:

The Methanol Myth

Many people worry about methanol poisoning from home distilling. Here's the truth:

  • Methanol is produced in tiny quantities during any fermentation
  • It boils at a lower temperature than ethanol (drinking alcohol)
  • Proper technique (discarding the foreshots) removes it completely
  • Commercial spirits contain the same trace amounts—they just don't tell you
  • The blindness stories come from Prohibition-era industrial methanol contamination, not home distilling

Equipment Safety

Modern home distilling equipment from reputable suppliers like Distillery King is designed with safety in mind:

  • Sealed systems prevent alcohol vapour escape
  • Thermostatic controls prevent overheating
  • Food-grade stainless steel and copper construction
  • Automatic shut-offs on premium units like the Air Still Pro

Basic Safety Rules

  1. Never distil near open flames or in enclosed spaces without ventilation
  2. Always discard the foreshots (first 50ml or so)
  3. Never use equipment with soldered joints (lead risk)
  4. Keep your equipment clean between runs
  5. Don't drink and distil—save the tasting for after!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it illegal to own a still in Australia?

No. You can legally own a still under 5L without registration. Stills over 5L must be registered with the ATO, and producing alcohol requires an excise license regardless of still size.

How much does it cost to start home distilling?

Entry-level setups like the Air Still Starter Kit start around $599-719. More serious setups like the T500 Complete Kit range from $1199-1,439 including all consumables for your first batch.

How much does home distilling save compared to buying spirits?

After excise, home-distilled spirits cost approximately $35-40 per 750ml bottle compared to $60-80+ at retail for equivalent quality. Savings of 40-50% are typical.

Is home distilling dangerous?

Modern home distilling equipment is safe when used correctly. The methanol danger is largely a myth—proper technique easily separates any trace methanol in the discarded foreshots.

How long does it take to make spirits at home?

From start to finish, expect about 10-14 days: 5-7 days fermentation, 1 day clearing, 1 day distilling, and ideally a week resting before drinking.

What's the best still for beginners in Australia?

For most beginners, we recommend the Air Still Pro Complete Kit. It's compact, requires no water connection, offers both reflux and pot still modes, and produces excellent quality spirit for learning the craft.

Where can I buy home distilling equipment in Australia?

Distillery King is Australia's leading supplier of home distilling equipment, shipping from our Brisbane warehouse to all states and territories. We stock the complete Still Spirits range plus essences, botanicals, and all consumables you need.

Ready to Start Your Home Distilling Journey?

Browse our Complete Distilling Starter Kits to find the perfect setup for your needs, or contact our team for personalised advice. We're here to help you craft exceptional spirits at home.

Distillery King - Australia's Home of Home Distilling

Filed in: Australia, Distilling Guide, Home Distilling
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