Employment

This section provides information about the long- and short-term impacts of alcohol consumption on workplaces and workers. Differences in consumption patterns between employed and unemployed Australians, as well as those not in the labour force, are also examined.

The primary source of data used in this section is the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. (NDSHS) (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020). The NDSHS is a triennial general population survey of Australians’ awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to alcohol and other drug use. It is the best data source available to provide a national population employment profile of Australians’ drinking behaviours. 

What negative consequences does alcohol consumption have for Australian workplaces?

Alcohol consumption is associated with a range of negative outcomes for the workplace, including accidents, injuries, absenteeism and low productivity. In 2004/05, the cost of lost productivity and absenteeism due to alcohol use was estimated to exceed $3.5b, with the total cost of alcohol consumption to Australian businesses exceeding $5.5b.

Is the employment status of Australians related to drinking at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?

Employment status is related to drinking at levels that increase the risk of alcohol-related disease or injury. Employed Australians are the group most likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).

Employed: Self-employed or working for salary or wages.

Employment Status: Whether an individual is currently: a) employed; b) unemployed; or c) not in the labour force.

Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that health men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is increased if they drink more than 10 standard drinks a week and more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Not in the Labour Force: Engaged in home duties, volunteer/charity work, student, retiree/pensioner, other.

Reduced risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that health men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is low if they drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.

Unemployed: Not currently working and actively seeking employment.

In which industries are Australian employees more likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?

Australians employed in utilities, construction, and agriculture are the industry groups most likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury. Those employed in healthcare and education are the least likely to do so.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).

*Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.

Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.

Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is increased if they drink more than 10 standard drinks a week and more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Reduced risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is reduced if they drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.

Are employed men or women in Australia more likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?

Employed Australian men are more likely than employed women to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).

Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.

Employed: Self-employed or working for salary or wages.

Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is increased if they drink more than 10 standard drinks a week and more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Reduced risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is reduced if they drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.

Are younger or older Australian employees more likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?

Employed Australians aged 18-24 years are the age group most likely to drink alcohol at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).

* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.

Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.

Employed: Self-employed or working for salary or wages.

Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is increased if they drink more than 10 standard drinks a week and more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Reduced risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is reduced if they drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.

Are unemployed men or women in Australia more likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?

Unemployed Australian men are more likely than unemployed women to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).

Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is increased if they drink more than 10 standard drinks a week and more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Reduced risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is reduced if they drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.

Unemployed: Not currently working and actively seeking employment.

Are younger or older unemployed Australians more likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?

Unemployed Australians aged 60-69 years are the age group most likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury, followed by those aged 18-24 years.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).

* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.

** Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.

Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.

Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is increased if they drink more than 10 standard drinks a week and more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Reduced risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is reduced if they drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.

Unemployed: Not currently working and actively seeking employment.

Among those not in the labour force, are men or women in Australia more likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?

Among Australians not in the labour force, men are more likely than women to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).

Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.

Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is increased if they drink more than 10 standard drinks a week and more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Not in the Labour Force: Engaged in home duties, volunteer/charity work, student, retiree/pensioner, other.

Reduced risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is reduced if they drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.

Among those not in the labour force, are younger or older Australians more likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?

Among those not in the labour force, Australians aged 18-24 years are the age group most likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).

Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.

Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is increased if they drink more than 10 standard drinks a week and more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Not in the Labour Force: Engaged in home duties, volunteer/charity work, student, retiree/pensioner, other.

Reduced risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Current Australian alcohol guidelines state that healthy men and women’s risk of alcohol-related disease or injury is reduced if they drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.

Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.