Buying cigarettes online at the best time: timing, indexation and sales
Because excise is indexed twice a year — every 1 March and 1 September — the tobacco calendar has two fixed events. Otherwise the “best time” to buy is about logistics: ordering so the parcel arrives when someone can sign for it.
| Check | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Moment | Why it matters |
| Late February / late August | Prices rise at the next indexation |
| Early in the week | Avoids a failed delivery heading into the weekend |
| Before you travel | Nothing will be waiting for you on return |
| Any “sale” below the duty floor | Not a sale — untaxed stock |
The indexation rhythm
Excise is indexed to average weekly ordinary time earnings, so the size of each increase depends on wage growth. Checking the ATO’s published rates before a purchase is the only way to know the current numbers — and they change on 1 March and 1 September.
Logistics beat discounts
Since tobacco retailers cannot discount the tax, the practical saving is a delivery that arrives first time. Order mid-week, confirm the carrier, and ensure an adult will be home.
Before you order — four checks that never change
- Price against the excise floor. Duty is $1.55274 a stick from 1 September 2026 — about $31 in a 20-pack and $310 in a carton. The only real “sales” in tobacco are the delivery savings you get by planning.
- The pack in the photo. Legal Australian stock is drab brown (Pantone 448C) with graphic warnings covering at least 75% of the front and 90% of the back — no logos, no brand artwork.
- Age and delivery. Distance sellers must verify you are 18 or over, and somebody who can sign and show ID has to be at the address. Lockers and unstaffed addresses can be refused.
- State rules. South Australia prohibits mail and online tobacco orders outright; everywhere else requires an age-verification system.
Related reading
- what a 20-pack really costs in 2026
- the delivery rules that apply to tobacco
- how tobacco parcels actually arrive
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. All tobacco products are harmful and state rules change — check your state or territory regulator before ordering. For help quitting call Quitline on 13 7848.