What this class covers
ANZSIC class 1214 covers Australian businesses primarily engaged in manufacturing wine and other alcoholic beverages through fermentation or blending processes. This classification applies to operations that transform raw materials into finished alcoholic products ready for consumption. The class encompasses both large-scale commercial wineries and smaller craft producers working with various alcoholic beverages beyond traditional wine.
Typical businesses in this class include commercial wineries producing table wines, boutique cider makers using fermentation processes, specialty mead producers creating honey-based alcoholic drinks, manufacturers of wine-based coolers and pre-mixed beverages, and producers of wine vinegar through alcohol fermentation. These operations typically involve significant processing equipment, fermentation tanks, bottling lines, and quality control systems specific to alcoholic beverage production.
This classification is used across Australian government agencies for business registration, statistical reporting, and industry analysis. It helps identify businesses subject to specific alcohol manufacturing regulations, excise requirements, and industry-specific support programs. The classification distinguishes between actual manufacturing operations and related activities like grape growing or contract packaging.
Primary activities in plain English
Businesses in this class typically engage in one or more of the following activities:
- Producing wine through fermentation of grapes or other fruits
- Manufacturing alcoholic cider through apple fermentation
- Creating sparkling and carbonated wines using secondary fermentation
- Producing fortified wines like sherry with added spirits
- Making mead (honey wine) through honey fermentation
- Manufacturing perry (fermented pear beverage)
- Producing wine-based fruit drink 'coolers' and pre-mixed beverages
- Creating wine vinegar through additional fermentation processes
- Blending various alcoholic beverages to create new products
- Manufacturing other alcoholic beverages not covered elsewhere in ANZSIC
Exclusions and nearby codes
Several related activities are specifically excluded from this classification. Businesses that only manufacture non-alcoholic grape juice or drinks are classified under ANZSIC 1211 (Soft Drink, Cordial and Syrup Manufacturing). This distinction is important for tax purposes and industry reporting.
Enterprises engaged solely in growing grapes without manufacturing alcoholic beverages fall under ANZSIC 0131 (Grape Growing). Similarly, businesses that provide bottling services on a contract basis without actually manufacturing or blending the alcoholic products are classified under ANZSIC 7320 (Packaging Services).
Other related classifications include ANZSIC 1212 (Beer Manufacturing) for breweries and ANZSIC 1213 (Spirit Manufacturing) for distilleries. These separations reflect different production processes, regulatory frameworks, and industry characteristics within the broader beverage manufacturing sector.
Practical guidance
When registering your business with the Australian Business Register, you'll need to select appropriate ANZSIC classifications. For wine and alcoholic beverage manufacturing, ANZSIC 1214 is the primary classification, though you may need additional codes if you operate across multiple activities like hospitality or retail.
Businesses in this class typically need specific licences including a Wine Producer Licence from state authorities and federal excise permits if producing above certain thresholds. The Australian Taxation Office requires Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) registration for wholesale wine sales, with detailed reporting through Business Activity Statements.
Workers' compensation insurance classifications may vary by state but generally fall under manufacturing categories with risk assessments based on production scale and processes. Industry Australia uses this classification for statistical purposes, and businesses may need to report production data through annual economic surveys.
Some grant programs and industry support initiatives specifically target businesses in ANZSIC 1214, particularly through Wine Australia and state-based agricultural development programs. Accurate classification ensures eligibility for relevant industry assistance and appropriate regulatory compliance.