Good news for beer lovers in NSW, the Albanese Government has announced a two-year freeze on draught beer tax increases, starting in August 2025.

For 40 years the tax on draught beer has increased every February & August. This continuous upward trend has contributed to Australia having some of the highest beer prices in the world.

For a country pub selling 15 kegs of beer a week, the cost of the excise is now $1,100 per week – a cost that is passed onto drinkers.

This announcement is a win for the millions of men and women who like to head down to the local pub to enjoy a draught beer while catching up with friends. It’s a win for common sense in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the freeze a “common sense measure” that benefits beer drinkers, brewers, and pubs. The excise will now remain stable until at least August 2027.

Just hours after the Prime Minister’s announcement, the Liberal Party committed to supporting the freeze, meaning the policy has bi-partisan support. The Liberals’ Coalition colleagues, the Nationals had been extremely vocal in their support for an excise freeze for many months.

This announcement is welcome news for beer drinkers across NSW and the 75,000 people directly employed in NSW pubs.
Read more . . .