Ballarat Magistrates Court was told Jennifer Stevens was working at the Ballarat store when her partner attended 11 times between December 4 and February 18 and selected a quantity of alcohol.

The 47-year-old served her partner each time, swiping the expired credit card to look like she was making a transaction.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Damon Saunders said Stevens voided the transaction, which was recorded on the cash register, after her partner left the store with the alcohol.

The pair consumed the alcohol, which was valued at $1350.

Defence lawyer Kylie Moloney said her client's partner was drinking alcohol to manage back pain. She said he had suggested he go to store and get the alcohol with his expired credit card, to which Stevens replied no.

"But one day he came in, she was put on the spot and could not say no," Ms Moloney said.

"She feels she has breached the trust of her employer. She was aware it would not take long for her to be caught."

The court was told the pair had repaid the stolen amount and Stevens had written a letter of apology to her former employer.

Ms Moloney urged leniency, asking the court to release Stevens, of Black Hill, on a good behaviour bond without conviction because of her clean criminal history.

However Magistrate Kay Robertson said theft from an employer was a serious offence.

"This is because, not only do shops lose money, but it's also corrosive of society; it breaks down and they can't trust employees," Ms Robertson said.

Stevens, who was found unsuitable for a community-based order, was fined $1000 with conviction. She pleaded guilty to one count of theft.