Craft beer, wine and spirits distributor

Bars, pubs, restaurants, bottle shops and function venues looking for independent and local products.

You buy from producers at a wholesale price and sell at a trade price with a margin, or earn an agreed commission on sales you bring in.

• Product knowledge and tasting
• Selling to venue owners and buyers
• Stock control and invoicing
• Following licensing rules carefully

• Liquor licensing differs by state and territory, so check before buying any stock
• Alcohol excise and wine tax rules, check with the ATO and your accountant
• Public liability, stock and vehicle insurance
• Chasing payments, since venues can be slow to pay and cash flow is tight
• Supplier agreements, so check what happens if a producer changes distributor
• Heavy lifting and safe handling of kegs and cartons
• Responsible service rules and who you can sell to, check your regulator

Startup costs are typically around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on the stock you hold, your storage unit or cool room, licensing and your vehicle. These figures are estimates only.

Liquor licensing differs by state and territory, so check before buying any stock. Also check alcohol excise and wine tax rules with the ATO and your accountant, responsible service rules, insurance, and what supplier agreements say if a producer changes distributor.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the producers you represent and how many venues you supply. Estimates assume at least about 30 hours a week. Slow-paying venues can make cash flow tight.