Alcohol gives govt $6bn tax windfall

A new study shows the sale of alcohol returns $6 billion to the federal budget, with tax rates widely ranging between products.

The federal government reaps an average $36.50 in tax from the sale of each litre of alcohol. (AAP)

The federal government reaps an average $36.50 in tax from the sale of each litre of alcohol, a study says.

A Parliamentary Budget Office report released on Wednesday showed alcohol taxes returned $6 billion to the federal budget in 2014/15.

Taxes range from as low as $1.71 a litre for low-strength non-commercial beer to $79.38 for spirits and ready-to-drink beverages.