Employment
This section provides information about cannabis use and employment. Differences in use 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’ cannabis use.
What negative consequences does cannabis use have for Australian workplaces?
Cannabis use is associated with a range of negative outcomes for the workplace, including accidents, injuries, absenteeism and low productivity.
Cannabis use can impair:
- short-term memory
- cognition
- balance and coordination
- concentration
- sensory perception
- ability to perform complex tasks
- alertness and reaction time.
These effects can last between two and six hours and can negatively affect workplace safety, performance and productivity. Employees who use cannabis can present a potential danger at work, especially if the user is operating machinery or driving a vehicle.
In 2015/16, the cost to Australian businesses due to cannabis-related occupational injury and absenteeism was estimated to exceed $560 million.
Source: McEntee A, Roche A, Whetton S. Chapter 6: Workplace costs. In: Tait RJ, Allsop, S. (Eds.)., Quantifying the Social Costs of Cannabis Use to Australia in 2015/16. Perth, WA: National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University; 2020.
Is the employment status of Australians related to cannabis use in the past 12 months?
Australians who are unemployed are the most likely to have used cannabis in the past 12 months. Those not in the labour force are the least likely to have used cannabis in the past 12 months.
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.
Not in the Labour Force: Engaged in home duties, volunteer/charity work, student, retiree/pensioner, other.
Unemployed: Not currently working and actively seeking employment.
In which industries are Australian employees more likely to have used cannabis in the past 12 months?
The proportion of employed Australians who used cannabis in the past 12 months varies according to industry of employment. Australians employed in arts and recreation services are more likely to have used cannabis in the past 12 months (27%) compared to those employed in other industries.
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.
Employed: Self-employed or working for salary or wages.
Are employed men or women in Australia more likely to have used cannabis in the past 12 months?
Employed Australian men are more likely than employed women to have used cannabis in the past 12 months.
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.
Are younger or older Australian employees more likely to have used cannabis in the past 12 months?
Employed Australians aged 18-24 years are more likely than employees in other age groups to have used cannabis in the past 12 months.
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.
Employed: Self-employed or working for salary or wages.
Are unemployed men or women in Australia more likely to have used cannabis in the past 12 months?
Unemployed Australian men are more likely than unemployed women to have used cannabis in the past 12 months.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
Unemployed: Not currently working and actively seeking employment.
Are younger or older unemployed Australians more likely to have used cannabis in the past 12 months?
Unemployed Australians aged 18-24 years are more likely than unemployed Australians in other age groups to have used cannabis in the past 12 months.
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.
Unemployed: Not currently working and actively seeking employment.
Among those not in the labour force, are men or women in Australia more likely to have used cannabis in the past 12 months?
Among Australians not in the labour force, men are more likely than women to have used cannabis in the past 12 months.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
Not in the Labour Force: Engaged in home duties, volunteer/charity work, student, retiree/pensioner, other.
Among those not in the labour force, are younger or older Australians more likely to have used cannabis in the past 12 months?
Among Australians not in the labour force, 18-24 year olds are more likely than other age groups to have used cannabis in the past 12 months.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
Not in the Labour Force: Engaged in home duties, volunteer/charity work, student, retiree/pensioner, other.