Beer tax increases for second time since 2022

Aussies will be forking over more money for a cold one after another beer tax hike.

A 2.2 per cent increase in the beer excise comes into effect from today, less than a year after the previous jump.

The Brewers Association of Australia said the beer tax had now gone up by more than 10 per cent since last year's federal election.

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And it's set to be passed on to consumers.

The ABA said the thirsty would be paying $20 beer tax for a carton of full-strength beer, or almost $4 for a friendly four-pint round of the same at their local.

Publicans will be hit up for about $80 in beer tax for a full-strength keg.

"A 10 per cent increase in beer tax since last year just shows that these tax hikes are becoming out of control," ABA CEO John Preston said.

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"We don't believe these increases are now actually raising any more money for the Government. They are just hurting beer drinkers and our pubs and clubs."

The ABA wants the government to "step in and take some action" on the automatic half-yearly increases.

It said that under the previous Coalition government there had been almost 20 beer tax increases which drove Australia's excise to among the highest in the world.

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Only Norway and Finland tax beer at a higher rate.

Today also marks the increased tax on spirits coming into effect.

The six-monthly increase will mean the tax will pass the threshold of $100 per litre, which it had not been expected to hit before 2029.

Australian Distillers Association chief executive Paul McLeay said the hike reached "unthinkable new heights".

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